Premalu OTT release delayed amid continued box office success

The latest Malayalam romantic drama Premalu continues to perform well in cinemas, with its global earnings nearing Rs 100 crore . The impressive theatrical run and growing interest among audiences in other states have prompted the producers to delay the film's OTT release.

Premalu postpones OTT debut

Historically, most Malayalam films arrive on streaming after a 28-day exclusive theatrical run in cinemas. This has become a standard operating procedure, especially across the South Indian film industry. However, Premalu is set to defy this norm by extending its theatrical run.

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The producers have officially announced that the OTT release will not happen anytime soon, as the film prepares to release in Tamil and Telugu versions this week .

If you have been waiting to watch Premalu from the comfort of your home, you may have to wait a little longer. According to some industry sources, Premalu will not reach the streaming before completing at least 50 days in theaters. In that case, the OTT release of Premalu might only happen towards the end of March.

The streaming rights of Premalu is believed to be with Disney+Hotstar.

Premalu's theatrical triumph continues

Premalu emerged as the first big hit of Malayalam cinema this year, surprising audiences who believed the box office had few options to stoke their excitement. It revitalized people's faith in the box office at a time when streaming platforms were increasingly perceived as a more convenient way to watch movies. Films like Premalu remind people of the joy of communally experiencing a well-made movie.

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Premalu opened in cinemas on February 9 and it has grossed more than Rs 85 crore from its worldwide ticket sales so far. Set against the backdrop of Hyderabad, Premalu tells the story of an average Joe trying to win over a girl who is seemingly out of his league.

The filmmakers are hoping that the film's Hyderabad connect will strike a chord with the Telugu audiences. In the meantime, the producers are also hoping to cash in on the new-found love of Tamil audiences for Malayalam movies at the box office in the wake of the success of Manjummel Boys.

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