Earlier media reports suggested that Anushka Shetty’s Ghaati was set to release on OTT in the first week of October. That is no longer the case. According to the latest update, the Telugu action-crime drama will now make its OTT debut on Prime Video on September 26. It will be available to stream in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Set in the Eastern Ghats, Ghaati follows a marginalized community known as the “ghaatis,” who are forced into smuggling by the ruthless Naidu brothers. The story centers on Sheelavathi (Anushka Shetty) and Desi Raju (Vikram Prabhu) as they fight to free their people from this cycle of exploitation.
The OTT release window for Ghaati comes as a surprise, considering the film only hit theatres on September 5, meaning it will arrive on Prime Video just three weeks after its theatrical debut.
This early OTT release makes sense, though, given the film’s dismal box-office performance. Made on a budget of INR 45 crores, the Anushka Shetty starrer managed to earn just INR 6.39 crores in its first week and headed toward a lifetime collection of under INR 10 crores. Reports suggest the film is facing a massive deficit of over 85%.
Naturally, the big question now is whether Ghaati will get a shot at redemption or be rejected by audiences once again
The film failed to connect with viewers during its theatrical run. Both critics and audiences criticized its formulaic plot, predictable screenplay, and lack of fresh, engaging moments. While Shetty’s performance was praised for its intensity and screen presence, many felt her talent was squandered by weak writing and an uninspired narrative.
Now, with its digital premiere, Ghaati has a chance at redemption. The dynamics of the OTT space are different from the theatrical box office. Here, a film’s success is measured by engagement, viewership hours, star power, and online word-of-mouth rather than ticket sales.
Many films that failed in theatres have found new life on streaming platforms. For example, Vijay Deverakonda’s Kingdom underperformed in theatres but performed strongly on Netflix India, gaining significant viewership. Ghaati’s strong visuals and Anushka Shetty’s commanding performance might be enough to attract new audiences seeking a gritty action-drama.
Another factor working in its favour is Prime Video’s relatively quiet release slate over the next 10–12 days, which could help the film gain traction.
Still, its poor reception cannot be ignored. The film holds a low IMDb rating of just 5.1/10, which could amplify negative word-of-mouth on streaming as well.
As Ghaati heads to Prime Video, all eyes will be on whether it can defy its theatrical fate. Will this be the redemption story its makers are hoping for, or another reminder that some films simply can’t be saved? Stay tuned for updates.