Rajyotsava beginning for Kannada OTT platform Katte with web series Namma Oorina Rasikaru

Four new Kannada films will also be made available in a pay-per-view module

A still from Namma Oorina Rasikaru

Filmmaker-actor brother duo SD Arvind and Avinash Narasimharaju have been toiling away quietly for a while to put together an OTT platform exclusively for Kannada content. Called Katte, the platform has been in testing stage for a while and the team is now set to go live officially on November 1, on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava.

Their maiden presentation will include the eight-part Kannada web series Namma Oorina Rasikaru, based on Goruru Iyengar Ramaswamy’s novel by the same name. Directed by Nandita Yadav, the show stars Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Mandya Ramesh, B Suresha, Sunetra Pandit and Rajesh Nataranga, among others. “We will also have a seven episode stand-up show called Comedy Pantru, as well as Music Pettige, which is on the lines of Coke Studio,” says Arvinda, who serves as Chief Operating Officer of the platform, adding that there’s a fitness programme as well.

The major highlight, though, is that Katte will have pay-per-view options for new Kannada cinema. “There are several hundred Kannada films censored and ready for release, which may not be able to make it to theatres anytime soon. We are targeting this segment and offering them a platform to bring their films to audiences. The plan is to offer people the opportunity to buy a ticket that will be valid for a day, during which time they can watch the film. We are exploring the option of giving subscribers longer access to these films, but that’s still a work in progress. Right now, we are beginning with four films – Sidewing (Avinash Shatamarshan’s directorial debut), Days of Borapura (by director Aditya Kunigal), Karmanaiva Hi Samsiddham and Vriksham (also by Aditya Kunigal). The plan is to then add one new film every week,” explains Arvinda.

To start with, subscription will cost Rs 120 for a year, under a three-month introductory offer. Pay-per-view movies will be charged at Rs 50-100.

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