Mohanlal's Malaikottai Vaaliban OTT release date locked in. This is when you can stream this epic drama

The OTT release date for the latest Malayalam period drama, Malaikottai Vaaliban, starring Mohanlal in the lead role, has been confirmed. The movie is set to stream on Disney+Hotstar starting February 23 , just under four weeks after its initial theatrical release.

Filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery had previously cautioned the audience about the shorter streaming window for Malaikottai Vaaliban, aiming to invoke FOMO (fear of missing out) . He urged movie buffs not to miss the chance to experience the film on the big screen before its availability on streaming platforms.

Malaikottai Vaaliban arrives on OTT sooner than expected

It has become a sort of norm in the South Indian film industry for new movies to start streaming after completing a four-week obligatory theatrical run. This practice led to the recent decision by the Film Exhibitors' United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) to not screen any upcoming Malayalam movies that lack a longer theatrical window.

ALSO READ: Decoding Malaikottai Vaaliban - identifying the missing element in Mohanlal's epic drama 

FEUOK President K. Vijayakumar, addressing the issue, noted that many Malayalam filmmakers have repeatedly violated the condition of maintaining at least a 42-day gap between a film's initial theatrical debut and its streaming debut. It appears that the exhibitors in Kerala have taken inspiration from the playbook of their counterparts in the Hindi-speaking states.

In North India, theatres, including national multiplex chains, do not screen new Hindi movies if they intend to have their OTT premieres in less than eight weeks.

The reception of FEUOK's ultimatum by the Malayalam film industry remains to be seen.

Malaikottai Vaaliban's disappointing box office run

It's safe to say that Malaikottai Vaaliban may join the list of misunderstood films of 2024. The movie's box office potential was significantly impacted by poor reviews garnered from early morning shows on its opening day. The mixed reviews were so detrimental that they dampened all the pre-release excitement that Malaikottai Vaaliban initially enjoyed.

ALSO READ: Malaikottai Vaaliban movie review: Mohanlal, Lijo Jose Pellissery’s larger-than-life, indulgent tribute to Kurosawa films works wonders

In Malaikottai Vaaliban, Mohanlal portrays the role of a legendary warrior travelling from one kingdom to another, defeating the mightiest of warriors. The movie also features Sonalee Kulkarni, Hareesh Peradi, and Danish Sait in lead roles.