- By Sukanya Saha
- Sun, 11 Jun 2023 11:24 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kannada Cinema Bonanza On OTT: Kannada movies may not be at the top of the streaming platform's priority list, but they are gradually gaining recognition in the world of OTT. Unlike most films that first release in theatres and then go digital, last year saw the direct OTT release of four movies: "One Cut Two Cut," "Family Pack," "Man of the Match," and "Dear Vikram."
In the present year, Archana Jois' film "Mute" had a direct release on an OTT platform, while there were expectations for Jaggesh's "Raghavendra Stores" to follow the same path on Amazon Prime Video. However, it ultimately had a theatrical release. As for the upcoming film "Thotapuri 2" featuring the renowned actor Navarasa Nayaka, it is likely to be released on Zee5 Kannada, considering the underwhelming performance of its theatrical predecessor.
There is speculation within the industry that OTT platforms have reverted to their previous approach of not opting for direct releases and instead emphasising the importance of theatrical outings, regardless of how limited they may be. So, let's take a glance at the latest Kannada films added to OTT platforms.
Raaghu:
The crime thriller "Raaghu," directed by Vijay Raghavendra, can now be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. The film delves into the unique concept of solo-act filmmaking.
Also read: Telugu Fever On OTT: 15 Latest Movies And Series Streaming On Netflix, Prime Video, Zee5 In 2023
Veeram:
Narasimha, a fiery and impulsive young man, finds himself entangled in criminal activities, much to the dismay of his sister, who has raised him. She pins her hopes on their promising younger brother, Veeru. However, when Narasimha's situation takes a turn for the worse, Veeru is compelled to step into his brother's shoes, embracing a life filled with violence and peril. Veeram is available on Sun NXT.
Raghavendra Stores:
This comedy film, produced by Hombale Films and helmed by Santhosh Annddram, made its theatrical debut on April 28. Featuring a cast led by Jaggesh, including Shwetha Srivatsav, Dattanna, Ravishankar Gowda, Mithra, and more, the movie arrived on OTT platform Amazon Prime Video just three weeks later.
Benkiyalli Aralida Hoovu:
This family-oriented drama centers around Sukanya (played by Anupama Gowda), a hardworking employee in a garment company who shoulders the primary responsibility of caring for her family. Despite her husband's alcohol addiction and irresponsible behavior as an auto driver, Sukanya must navigate societal challenges and personal struggles to provide for her daughter and keep her family united.
Gurudev Hoysala:
Daali Dhananjaya celebrated a significant milestone with his 25th film, where he portrayed a police officer, sharing the screen with Amrutha Iyengar. The movie tackles two relevant social issues and received widespread acclaim for its approach. It is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Kabzaa:
R Chandru's gangster film, featuring Upendra in the lead role, was anticipated to be a major success in Kannada cinema. However, the filmmaker's heavy reliance on KGF for inspiration, including the visuals and music, resulted in widespread criticism from audiences. Disappointed by the film, viewers expressed their dissatisfaction. As a consequence of this backlash, the movie was released on Amazon Prime Video just a month after its theatrical release.
Hondisi Bareyiri:
Praveen Tej, Samyuktha Hornad, Bhavana Rao, Naveen Shankar, and Aishani Shetty portray college students in the film, which delves into the various incidents that unfold in their lives spanning a duration of 12 years. The film is available on Amazon Prime Video.
Gandhada Gudi:
The teaser of the highly anticipated project, Gandhada Gudi, envisioned by the late Power Star Puneeth Rajkumar, was originally intended to be the Rajyotsava release of 2021. However, Puneeth's untimely demise shattered those plans, and the team decided to unveil the docu-feature on the first anniversary of his passing. Now, after four and a half months, the film has made its way to OTT platform Amazon Prime Video, reaching a wider audience.
Once Upon A Time In Jamaligudda:
Dhananjaya's final film of 2022, Once Upon a Time in Jamaligudda, failed to find success at the box office, resulting in a disappointing year for the actor. Despite being paired with Aditi Prabhudeva in the film, it didn't manage to generate the desired response from audiences, leaving Dhananjaya with a lackluster outcome for the year. However, the is now available on digital platform Sun NXT.
Love Birds:
Available on Amazon Prime Video, Love Birds brought together Darling Krishna and Milana Nagaraj once again in a movie centred around a recently married couple and the challenges they face as they move beyond the honeymoon phase of their relationship.
Vedha:
Available on Zee5 Kannada, Vedha, a period revenge drama, marks a significant milestone as Shivarajkumar's 125th film. It is not only his first venture as a producer but also his fourth collaboration with director A Harsha. The movie boasts a formidable female cast, featuring Umashree, Ganavi Laxman, Shwetha Changappa, and Aditii Sagar.
Garuda:
Available on Amazon Prime Video, Garuda, an intense tale of revenge and was penned by its protagonist, Siddharth Mahesh. The movie, which premiered in May of the previous year, features a star-studded cast including Srinagara Kitty, Kamna Jethmalani, Aindrita Ray, and Ashika Ranganath, among other talented actors.
Dr 56:
Dr 56 is a captivating crime thriller that revolves around the investigation of a series of murders targeting neurosurgeons. The primary suspect in these killings is a patient who is dependent on a pill that must be taken precisely every 56 hours. The film delves into the dark world of the medical mafia, unravelling the intricate web of intrigue and suspense surrounding the case. The film can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
Head Bush:
Head Bush, Daali Dhananjaya's second independent production, is a biographical film centred around MP Jayaraj, Bengaluru's inaugural underworld figure. The movie draws inspiration from the book My Days in the Underworld by former gangster Agni Sreedhar. Planned as a multi-part franchise, the initial installment, Head Bush - The Rise and Rise of Bengaluru, chronicles Jayaraj's ascent within the city's criminal underworld. Dhananjaya portrays the role of Jayaraj, while the ensemble cast includes Raghu Mukherjee, Balu Nagendra, Sruthi Hariharan, Payal Rajput, Vasishta N Simha, Loose Mada Yogi, and others. The film can be watched on Zee5 Kannada.
Thotapuri: Chapter 1
Director Vijayaprasad's recent adult comedy film, featuring the talented actor Jaggesh in the lead role, was released alongside Rishab Shetty's Kantara on September 30. Unfortunately, the film failed to make a significant impact at the box office. The star-studded cast of the movie included Aditi Prabhudeva, Hema Dutt, Veena Sundar, Suman Ranganathan, and Dhananjaya, among others. Originally planned as the first part of a two-installment series, the underwhelming performance of the initial film raised uncertainty regarding the production of the second installment. The film is available for streaming on the Kannada platform Zee5.
10:
10, the directorial debut of Kirik Party's cinematographer, Karm Chawla, had an unceremonious release in theatres and quickly transitioned to a streaming platform just a week later. There were reports that the agreement with the platform was set to expire at the end of December, prompting producer Pushkara Mallikarjunaiah to opt for a theatrical release for the film. The film is available for viewing on the Kannada version of the streaming platform Zee5.
Monsoon Raaga:
Monsoon Raaga is the Kannada adaptation of the popular Telugu film, C/O Kancharapalem. The movie revolves around four distinct love stories and features a talented cast including Dhananjaya, Rachita Ram, Suhasini Maniratnam, Yasha Shivakumar, and Achyuth Kumar, among other notable actors. The film is available for viewing on Zee5 Kannada.
Window Seat:
Sheethal Shetty, known for her acting and hosting on television, made her directorial debut with a thrilling murder mystery. The film features Nirup Bhandari in the lead role and also stars Amrutha Iyengar, Sanjana Anand, and Lekha Naidu in significant roles, adding depth to the captivating whodunit narrative. The film is available for viewing on Zee5 Kannada.
777 Charlie:
The movie is about the remarkable story of protagonist Dharma (played by Rakshit Shetty) underwent a transformative journey under the direction of Kiranraj K. This journey took an unexpected turn when a dog named Charlie entered Dharma's life. The film became a tremendous hit at the box office, captivating audiences with its engaging narrative.
Dear Vikram:
The long-awaited film featuring Sathish Ninasam in the lead role finally found its way to a direct-to-OTT release. In this project, Sathish Ninasam was paired opposite Shraddha Srinath. The film is available on Voot select.
Dear Sathya:
Aryann Santhosh starred in a revenge drama alongside Archana Kottige, which gained attention for its unique dual ending. In the film, Aryann portrayed a food delivery agent who is falsely accused of killing his beloved, setting the stage for a thrilling tale of retribution. The movie is available on Amazon Prime video.