Nandamuri Balakrishna’s Akhanda is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar now. As per the statements from the OTT platform, Akhanda got off to a stellar reception from the Telugu OTT audience. It is reported that Akhanda is the most viewed Telugu film on OTT in the opening 24-hour period. If that really is the case, it is safe to say that the Balakrishna starrer has done the job brilliantly well for Disney+ Hotstar. The action drama has provided Diseny+ Hotstar with some much needed impetus.
Now, the onus is on Mahesh Babu to deliver big time. Wonder how? Here is the story. Disney+ Hotstar hoped to expand its footprint in the Telugu OTT space with big-ticket acquisitions like Akhanda and Sarkaru Vaari Paata. Well, the first one – Akhanda has worked the magic for Akhanda as it opened to record viewership. Now, it is Sarkaru Vaari Paata’s turn to do the job for the OTT giant.
Sarkaru Vaari Paata is currently in the filming phase and it is billed to be a proper action thriller with loads of entertainment. The action-thriller is one of the most anticipated films in the Telugu film industry. Disney+ Hotstar had reportedly acquired the post theatrical digital rights of the Mahesh Babu starrer and the OTT platform will be orchestrating the OTT release at least 6 weeks post the theatrical release.
Mahesh Babu enjoys a strong follower base amongst the family audience and Sarkaru Vaari Paata does have the potential to evoke great interest from the Telugu OTT audience. But the potential hype in the OTT space will ultimately depend on the kind of reception the film gets post its theatrical release. This was evident in the case of Akhanda. The Balakrishna starrer was a box office blockbuster and it carried the momentum through to its OTT debut and registered blockbuster openings. Disney+ Hotstar will be hoping for a similar result with Mahesh Babu’s Sarkaru Vaari Paata now.