With the explosion of streaming and the proliferation of OTT platforms, Indian film lovers have taken it for granted that a film will release on OTT after its theatrical release, sooner rather than later. Most film enthusiasts wait for a movie to premiere on OTT — some to re-watch the film, and others because they missed watching it in the theatres.
Fans become restless and demanding if an Indian film doesn’t release on OTT after two months (for Bollywood films) or one month (for South movies) of release in theatres. Most take to social media to demand the release of a film on OTT.
Several such much-publicised films of 2023 have been stuck without an OTT release as yet. These films deserve an OTT release, so that they can be watched and appreciated by discerning viewers on streaming.
These are films that fans have been rooting for since long. But whose “unreleased on OTT” status lingers on, and on, and on…..
Here are a few films that we want released on OTT now — doesn’t matter on which OTT platform; just release them NOW!
Here goes –
1. Zwigato
The unreleased status of Zwigato is shocking, to say the least. The critically acclaimed film released in theatres on 17 March 2023, which means it almost six months of its theatrical release. Yet, OTT platforms are making no effort to release Zwigato on their platforms. The film is produced and directed by Nandita Das, and co-produced by Applause Entertainment. The inspirational, slice-of-life film is set in the backdrop of the Covid-19 lockdown, and stars Kapil Sharma and Shahana Goswami in lead roles.
2. The Kerala Story
The Kerala Story released in theatres on 5th May 2023, and immediately found itself at the centre of raging controversy. The controversial angle to it makes it even more keenly awaited on OTT. But almost four months after release, it still languishes without an OTT release. The movie stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani, and Siddhi Idnani playing a group of women from Kerala who are coerced into converting to Islam and joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The Kerala Story is directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah.
3. Zara Hatke Zara Bachke
‘Zara Hatke Zara Bachke’ release in theatres on 2nd June, 2023. Now, three months later there’s no information on the OTT release date of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke. And fans are annoyed, for sure! The film stars Sara Ali Khan and Vicky Kaushal in the lead roles, along with Rakesh Bedi, Sharib Hashmi and Neeraj Sood, Inaamulhaq, Meghna Agarwal, among others. It is directed by Laxman Utekar, and centres on a pair of lovers who get married and begin their new life in the cramped midst of a joint family.
4. Chatrapathi
Chatrapathi released in theatres on 12th May, 2023. Now, even after almost four months, there’s no news of the film releasing on OTT. Chatrapathi stars Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas in his Hindi film debut, along with Nushrat Bharucha, Bhagyashree and Sharad Kelkar. It is the Hindi remake of S S Rajamouli’s 2005 hit, Chatrapathi. It is directed by V. V. Vinayak and produced by Jayantilal Gada of Pen India Limited.
5. Agent
Akhil Akkineni’s ‘Agent’ released in theatres on 28th April, 2023, which means it’s been four months since it’s release now, and no sign of Agent on OTT. The spy thriller stars Akhil Akkineni, who plays a wild and passionate youngster, who wants to join Indian Intelligence organisation, R.A.W. Mammootty plays Devil, the chief of the Research And Analysis Wing, while Dino Morea plays primary antagonist, God. Agent is written by Vakkantham Vamsi, directed by Surender Reddy, and produced by Ramabrahmam Sunkara.
6. Dhoomam
Dhoomam released in theatres across India on 23rd June, 2023. It has been more than two months now, it’s even gone from the theatres, but the film is nowhere close to being released on OTT. Dhoomam is a dark thriller, which stars Fahadh Faasil in an edgy role, along with Roshan Mathew, Aparna Balamurali, Vineeth Radhakrishnan, Anu Mohan, and Achyuth Kumar. Dhoomam is written and directed by Pawan Kumar, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur of Hombale Films.