Rakkasapuradhol actor Raj B Shetty: The solution to OTT platforms not picking Kannada content is…

Raj B Shetty notes that Malayalam cinema has created a perception of consistently producing quality content, which is what Kannada films should also aim for. Raj will next be seen in Rakkasapuradhol

Raj B Shetty

When actor-filmmaker Raj B Shetty was promoting his next, Rakkasapuradhol, along with producer Ravi Verma, the latter spoke about the apathy of OTT platforms towards Kannada content. In this context, Ravi Verma said that if a film like Eko had been made in Kannada, no platform would have shown interest. Raj had distributed the film in Karnataka and argued that for OTT subscribers it is the content and not the language matters.

Raj B Shetty on why films have to have a pan-India appeal

“The solution is to ensure that you make Kannada content that is appreciated at a pan-India level. For instance, Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana is one of the highest rated films on Zee5. You can talk about platforms and whether they pick or do not pick Kannada films after making content that the whole country wants to see. If you make films for Kannada audiences only, they are not watching it,” said Raj in conversation on the Gold Class With Mayuraa podcast.

Also read: Raj B Shetty: Can’t blame audiences for watching films in other languages

Raj adds that instead of complaining that OTT platforms are not showing interest in Kannada cinema, he’s always looked at finding solutions. He cites the example of his last production Su From So , which was the first Kannada film that JioHotstar had picked up after the merger. Prior to that, he had opened doors for Kannada cinema on Sony LIV with Toby , while his debut, Ondu Motteya Kathe was on Netflix initially.

Also read: Raj B Shetty on the difference between Kannada and Malayalam cinema: Last year, they made 160 films, we had 260, but...

“There’s still work to be done to get to a position in which these platforms readily pick up our content. I can see that happening and what needs to be done for that. Right now, the problem is that we are not consistent. If you have only 2 films in a year, how many platforms do you need? Instead, if we have at least 25 films the scenario is different, because they also need content; it just needs to be the kind that the whole country will watch,” Raj reasons. The actor-filmmaker adds that it actually makes better financial sense to buy Kannada films because the rights would be available at a fraction of the price they pay for, say, a Malayalam movie.

Also read: Raj B Shetty on what’s ailing Kannada cinema: We have gone from…

Raj also notes that on account of having delivered a certain quality of content for several years, Malayalam cinema is often consumed by Kannada audiences too. “If you ask someone about a Malayalam movie and they say it is okay, you will still check it out. But for a Kannada film you really have to convince the audience. It all boils down to quality,” he signs off.

Rakkasapuradhol FAQs

Q. Where to watch Rakkasapuradhol?

A. Rakkasapuradhol will release in theatres on February 6, 2026

Q. What is Rakkasapuradhol about?

A. Rakkasapuradhol is a mystery thriller about a murder case, that the towns folk believe is the work of the Kolli Deva. Is there a supernatural element to this killing?

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