7 Telugu films that opted for direct OTT release over theatrical

Filmmakers welcome appreciation for the creative work from the audience. But Covid-19 pandemic has shattered all such hopes in the film industry. Not just in terms of filmmaking but also with its releases.

Many movies had to wait for 2 years & more to see their theatrical release, while a few are still waiting to see the day of light in theaters such as ‘Love Story, Tuck Jagadish, KGF – Chapter2’, Maestro’ and several others.

Moreover, the new political issues in Andhra Pradesh has affected the filmmakers in a bigger way as the new guidelines such as the ‘decrease in the film ticket price, cancellation of extra shows, permission to only half-seated theaters and many more are severely affecting the Telugu entertainment industry with its theatrical release.

The above reasons made Telugu filmmakers opt for a direct OTT release over film theaters. Below is the list of such Telugu films that have already been released or are opting to release directly on one of the OTT’s for all the above reasons.

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It was one of the first films that got affected due to the covid pandemic. The rom-com was co-written along with Siddu Jonnalagadda and directed by Ravikanth Perepu and the film was jointly produced by Suresh productions along with Viacom 18 motion pictures. As there was no other choice with a prolonged lockdown the makers opted for a direct digital release of the film on various OTT platforms on 25 June 2020.

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47 days is a 2020 Telugu mystery-drama thriller starring Satyadev Kancharana and Pooja Jhaveri. The film’s title was inspired by the 1981 Tamil film of the same name and was scheduled to release in theaters following Satyadev’s Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya, but after delays due to covid-19, the film chose to release directly on OTT on 30 June 2020.

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This Venkatesh Maha’s 2nd film post-C/o Kancharapalem was a remake of the Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaaraam (2016. Starring Satyadev Kancharana, Naresh, Suhas, and Raghavan and the project bankrolled by Arka Media works that produced the Biggest motion picture of the country was initially slated for a theatrical release on 17 April 2020 was later released directly on OTT due to Covid 19 pandemic & lockdown. It was released on the OTT platforms on 30 July 2020.

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This was one of the big-budgeted multi-starrer films that were made and set for a theatrical release on 25 March 2020 but the lockdown has begun from 04 March 2020 and the makers had waited for a long time for the pandemic to end. But due to a prolonged situation, the movie was directly released on a streaming platform on 5 September 2020

The movie starred Natural star Nani and Sudheer Babu, Nivetha Thomas, and Aditi Rao Hydari that was directed by Mohan Krishna Indraganti.

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This is a Big Telugu star remake of a Tamil film ‘Asuran’, and has waited for long to get its theatrical release as the makers were against going for direct OTT but due to covid second wave with left no choice, the makers were once again forced to release the movie on OTT platforms on 20 July 2021

The film has received positive reviews from both the film fans and critics alike lauding Venkatesh’s performance.

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This was one of the most affected movies of Tollywood due to the pandemic. The film stars Natural star Nani, Ritu Varma, Aishwarya Rajesh, and Jagapathi Babu in prominent roles. The movie was directed by Shiva Nirvana and produced by Sahu Garapti and Harish Peddi under Shine Screens that was slated for 16th April 2021 and was later pushed to 23 April 2021. Now eyeing for a direct OTT release soon.

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'Maestro' is an upcoming Telugu film featuring Nithiin, Tamannaah, and Nabha Natesh in the lead roles. The film is an official Telugu remake of the 2018 Hindi film 'Andhadhun'. The film is directed by Merlapaka Gandhi of 'Venkatadri Express' fame and funded by Nithiin's parents Sudhakar Reddy and Nikitha Reddy.

The film was supposed to release much back in theaters but due to the covid pandemic, the makers have opted for direct streaming on OTT soon, despite theaters open in AP.

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