Sika virus disrupts Malayalam film release - Telugu films opt out of OTT as theaters open

 

With  outbreak of Sika virus in Kerala , Malayalam film producers are rushing towards OTT platforms –big and small to sell . In contrast,  deals with OTT in Telugu film industry is being reworked as  producers want to get to go in for theater release first. In Tamil Nadu, OTT players have an upper hand as theatre owners are not willing to give any advance to any films. Only the small ones are that will come to theatres in Tamil Nadu, if it opens. Karnataka situation is better as KGF 2 is ready and Hindi films are to come for release in August.

In Kerala, small timers Saina Play, NeeStream, Manorama Max, Prime Reels, Mainstream and Matinee too are already flooded with medium budget Malayalam film producers. None of these platforms are willing to advance any money and offer a share of the views. Saina Play and NeeStream –Book My Show have joined hands to offer a simultaneous release. Big ticket movies that were planned for August release are now in talks with majors like Amazon Prime- NetFlix- Hot star- Zee5.

The fate of Marrakkar scheduled for August 12 release has become a major concern. If Sika virus continues with no decline in daily Covid 19 cases, it would have to postpone. With Coimbatore still on the high, Tamil Nadu is not willing to allow movie halls to reopen.  Most of the big ticket Tamil movies have gone in for final schedule. All of them aim for a Pooja or Deepavali release. Telugu movie Maestro starring Nithin is said to opting out of a OTT premiere release. Narasiimhapuram is the first unreleased direct Telugu movie to hit screens in Telugu states post the lockdown. Written, produced, and directed by Sriraj Balla, the movie features Nandakishore, Siri Hanumantu, Vijay Kumar (Lakshmi ‘s NTR), Ushasri, and Rangadham in prominent roles. Nandakishore is a popular face for Telugu TV serial audiences and is making his debut as a hero in Telugu cinema with this movie. While Siri Hanumanthi plays the lead heroine.‘Narasimhapuram’ is now set to hit screens on July 23 as confirmed by the makers.