Malli Pelli on OTT: Naresh’s ex-wife Ramya Raghupathi sends a legal notice to streamers; here’s why!

Malli Pelli, the drama starring real life celeb couple Naresh, Pavitra Lokesh, was written and directed by MS Raju. While the film opened to conducive responses from critics, it failed to set the cash registers ringing at the theatres. While the film released in Telugu on May 26, the Kannada version hit screens in the first half of June. Now, the film is out on OTT.

The film created a lot of controversy during its theatrical release when Naresh’s ex-wife Ramya Raghupathi took to the court to halt the screening of the film, alleging that it was a clear attempt to downplay her reputation. With the drama already wrapping its censor formalities by then, the petition did little to affect the plans of the makers, who released the film sans much fuss.

Both Amazon Prime Video and aha jointly acquired its post-theatrical streaming rights and premiered the film yesterday night. However, Ramya has now served a legal notice to both the streamers and has asked them to remove the film from their content library. Malli Pelli is currently not available on Prime Video as a result, while aha continues to stream the film.

The notice reportedly claims that Malli Pelli has deviated, misinterpreted, misrepresented and miscommunicated facts in the name of creative expression. It further states how an art form like a film was used to defame, demoralise Ramya Raghupathi with a concocted version of her character. “They have attacked her modesty under the pretext of a movie,” it says.

OTT platforms with their wide reach to audiences worldwide could do irreparable damage my client's character through the film, Ramya Raghupathi’s advocate states in the notice. How far will this legal notice affect the makers/streaming platforms? Naresh and Pavitra Lokesh are yet to respond to this development.