Exclusive! Mohanlal’s Marakkar heads for direct OTT release on Amazon Prime? Priyadarshan responds

Mohanlal’s much-awaited Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham could head for an OTT release, if negotiations are through, according to industry insiders. Fans as well as theatre exhibitors were in for a rude shock earlier today after news leaked that the producer of the movie, Antony Perumbavoor, was in discussion with Amazon Prime Video to release the movie directly on OTT.

The movie was initially set for a March 2020 release but its release date was pushed thrice due to the pandemic and closure of theatres in Kerala. With theatres reopening this month in Kerala, theatre exhibitors had pinned their hopes on the big budget period film to draw the audiences back to cinema halls. But a direct-to-OTT release could be a huge dampener.

However, when OTTplay reached out to the film’s director Priyadarshan, he told us, “I am not aware of this, at least till now. This is news to me. The best people to confirm this would be its producer or Mohanlal.” A few months ago, Priyadarshan had told us that he will release the movie only in theatres even if they had to wait for another six months.

Kerala Film Producers Association official G Suresh Kumar also confirms to us that the team was in negotiations with an OTT platform. However, they are yet to reach consensus on it, he said. “It would also not be a huge surprise if they do decide to opt for an OTT release after waiting so long,” he says.

Meanwhile, Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation head Liberty Basheer tells us that the team had taken advances from over 300 theatres in Kerala. “That is close to Rs 30-40 crores. So, it does look unlikely they would opt for an OTT release without paying the sum back. That said, it is also against the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce’s rule of going for an OTT release after taking advances from theatres,” he says.

The period movie, which has Mohanlal playing the role of Kunjali Marakkar IV, also has Suniel Shetty, Pranav Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Keerthy Suresh, Arjun Sarja, Fazil and Kalyani Priyadarshan as part of the cast. The streaming service is reportedly aiming at a Christmas release for the movie, which is made on a budget exceeding Rs 70Cr.

The movie’s team along with that of the OTT platform were supposed to reach a decision on Tuesday, but they still haven’t, according to our sources.

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