The anti-Hindi sentiment on streaming biggies Prime Video and Netflix has reached the pits. Even after bringing attention to this issue time and again, the two streaming platforms simply refuse to pay heed. Regular Binged readers will know that we’ve drawn attention multiple times to the issue of OTTs releasing South films only in the four South languages of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Major OTT platforms have been studiously ignoring the demands of their Hindi-speaking users to release South films in Hindi-dubbed versions too.
Now, as if cocking a thumb to their subscribers, Prime Video has once again done the deed. It has gleefully released the blockbuster film of the season, Ponniyin Selvan 1, only in the four South languages of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada — no Hindi version again! This despite the fact that Ponniyin Selvan 1 released in theatres in all five languages – yes, Hindi too.
One fails to understand why Prime Video would want to deprive their largest subscriber base — Hindi speaking viewers —of Ponniyin Selvan 1 in Hindi in its rental store. Surely, streaming Ponniyin Selvan 1 in Hindi would lead to a larger number of people renting the film on Prime Video’s rental store. Isn’t it poor business sense too? After all, Ponniyin Selvan 1 is one of Prime Video’s most expensive buys, since it reportedly paid a bomb to acquire streaming rights for Ponniyin Selvan 1.
It’s not as if Prime Video has to put in extra effort to dub Ponniyin Selvan 1 in Hindi. The Hindi version is already available to them, since it released in theatres in Hindi too. Subscribers are already miffed with Prime Video as it has still not released the Hindi dubbed version of Sita Ramam – another film whose Hindi version existed from the get -go.
This strange anti-Hindi behavior of Prime Video and Netflix needs to stop, like now. Or else, be ready to face the wrath of your subscribers.
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