OTT partner threatens ₹10 crore cut for the delay in the release of Dhanush starrer 'Kuberaa', reveals producer

'Kuberaa,' a high-profile pan-Indian socio-drama directed by Sekhar Kammula, is set to hit theatres on June 20, 2025. Featuring an ensemble cast including Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh, and Dalip Tahil, the film was initially slated for an April release but faced delays due to post-production demands. Shot in both Tamil and Telugu, with dubbed versions in Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi, 'Kuberaa' promises to be a gritty exploration of power, ambition, and consequence.

Producer alleges ₹10 crore threat from Prime Video

However, producer Suniel Narang has raised serious concerns about the growing influence of OTT platforms on theatrical schedules. In a recent interview with Gulte, Narang revealed that Amazon Prime Video, Kuberaa’s streaming partner allegedly threatened to slash their deal by ₹10 crore if the film wasn't released on the pre-agreed date of June 20. This, he says, reflects a troubling shift in power where digital platforms now dictate release timelines.

Post-production plea rejected by OTT Partner

Suniel Narang shared that despite requesting a few extra weeks due to post-production delays, the platform was unwilling to budge. “I requested a July date, but they said they’d deduct ₹10 crore if we missed the June 20 release. It all goes according to their will now,” he said. According to Narang, Telugu films typically land on OTT within 28–30 days, giving producers little room to maneuver when delays occur.

Will the digital release of 'Kuberaa' be affected?

Suniel Narang further voiced frustration about the industry's dependency on external platforms. “People talk about cutting actors’ pay. Why should we? Out of 145 crore people, we have barely 50 superstars. They are gods. The problem isn’t them—it’s everything else. These other entities profit regardless of whether a film succeeds or not,” he added, hinting at a deeper imbalance in today’s filmmaking ecosystem. We have to wait to see whether Suniel Narang's revelation about the OTT partner's quarrel will affect the film's digital release or not.