We all know that Malayalam cinema is at the forefront of producing some of the most thrilling, thought-provoking and insightful movies in the country. In 2019 and a few months of 2020 alone, it has produced outstanding movies such as Kumbalangi Nights, Virus, Jallikattu, Anjaam Pathira, Forensic, and so many more. So then, have you ever wondered why there has been no, and we mean absolutely no, Malayalam series on OTT platforms up till now? There are plenty of Tamil and Telugu series on all the various streaming platforms – both Indian and American. Then why no Malayalam web series?
Well, Binged dug into the matter and made a few shocking discoveries! Here’s the reason for the lack of Malayalam web series on OTT –
If the buzz is to be believed, OTT platforms are simply not keen on streaming Malayalam web series. The primary reason, according to the top honchos of these streaming platforms, is that there are simply no viewers who would be interested in watching Malayalam web series on the net. Isn’t that such a contradiction? In 2019 alone, there were as many as six superhit and five hits in Malayalam cinema. Mamangam raked in 134.75 cr at the box office, Lucifer mopped up 120.67 cr, and Madhuraraja collected 104.75 cr, among others. Three Malayalam movies in the 100 crore club, and made at less than half the budget of Bollywood, Kollywood or Tollywood movies.
In the Covid-curtailed 2020 season, Anjaam Pathira collected 45.90 Cr, and is a a certified blockbuster. Shylock mopped up 35.50 Cr and is a superhit. Ayyappanum Koshiyum raked in 35 Cr and is also a superhit. The aforementioned box office collections must be seen in the light of the budget of these movies, which decides whether it is a superhit, hit or a flop.
If Malayalam movies can rake up such numbers, then why wouldn’t there be viewers for well-made Malayalam web series? Seems contrary, isn’t it? Recently, a Malayalam filmmaker opened up about the step-motherly treatment handed out to Malayalam web series by OTT platforms.
Malayalam filmmaker Mridul Nair, who had earlier made the well-received film BTech, was shocked and disappointed to learn that his completed web series ‘Instagramam’ has no takers in the Indian OTT industry. And only because it is in Malayalam!
Shared Mridul Nair, in a statement to a news agency, “Instagramam was Malayalam’s first full-fledged web series with almost 60 actors including Deepak Parambol, Ganapathy, Alencier, Aditi Ravi, Sunny Wayne and Saniya Iyappan. But when we approached OTT platforms, they said they weren’t even looking at Malayalam series because we didn’t have a market. They wanted Tamil, Telugu or Hindi. That was disappointing because the entire country looks up to Malayalam content.”
His statement makes you wonder about the bias prevalent in OTT circles against Malayalam content.
Niar had announced Instagramam with much fanfare, even getting Mammootty to release the poster of the series. He also got an ensemble cast of established actors on board, and spent a fat sum to produce the series. And after all his effort, he is saddled with no buyers for his labour of all.
And all because of bias against a language.
Shocking, isn’t it?
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