Ahead of Nawab Cafe's OTT release, here's how much the Shiva Kandukuri film made in theaters

Shiva Kandukuri is considered one of the promising young talents in Telugu cinema, but he is yet to score a proper hit in his career. His latest film Nawab Cafe hit the screens on February 20, 2026, but unfortunately ended up as a disaster at the box office.

We at OTTplay Premium had earlier revealed that ETV Win has acquired the digital rights to the film for a nominal price. The family drama will start streaming on ETV Win from March 12, 2026. Once the film premieres online, it will also be available to stream via OTTplay Premium.

How much did Nawab Cafe make in theaters?

According to trade tracking portal Sachnilk, Nawab Cafe had a very poor run in theatres. The film reportedly collected only around ₹50 lakh at the box office, which is extremely disappointing for a theatrical release.

Failing to even cross the ₹1 crore mark clearly shows the kind of impact the film had during its theatrical run.The film features Rajiv Kanakala in a key role, and his performance received appreciation from critics. Shiva Kandukuri was also praised for his sincere acting.

What is the story of Nawab Cafe?

The story revolves around a young man who dreams of settling in the United States but is forced to take over his father’s age-old café in the Old City of Hyderabad. How he gradually adapts to the situation and transforms the café forms the core narrative of the film.

However, the old-school narration and the lack of strong emotional depth made the film fall flat at the box office. Despite its heartfelt premise, the execution failed to connect with audiences in theatres.In recent times, several small Telugu films that failed at the box office have found a second life on OTT platforms.

For example, Sri Chidambaram Garu became a surprise success on OTT after going largely unnoticed during its theatrical run. Many viewers discovered the film only after it started streaming. The makers of Nawab Cafe are now hoping for a similar response on OTT.

Meanwhile, Shiva Kandukuri is currently busy with three upcoming projects that are expected to release in the second half of 2026. For audiences who enjoy emotional family dramas with a rustic backdrop, Nawab Cafe might be worth a watch once it premieres online.

Also Read: Nawab Cafe OTT release date: When, where to stream Rajeev Kanakala starrer 

Nawab Cafe FAQs

Q. Who is the heroine in Nawab Cafe?

A. The film has Teju Ashwini as the female lead

Q. Is Nawab Cafe a hit or flop?

A. The film is a massive flop at the box office and was out of theaters under a week.

Q. Where to stream Nawab Cafe on OTT?

A. You can stream the film on ETV Win and OTTplay Premium from March 12, 2026