Couldn't watch Republic with you in theatres, eager to know your response after release on ZEE5: Sai Dharam Tej tells fans

ZEE5 is pulling out all stops to grab eyeballs ahead of the global premiere of the Telugu film, Republic on November 26. The film directed by Deva Katta has an ensemble cast comprising Sai Dharam Tej, Jagapathi Babu, Aishwarya Rajesh, Rahul Ramakrishna and Ramya Krishna in key roles. The digital release of the film is all the more special for the platform, given it's launching the director's commentary section for the first time in the Indian streaming space. The cast and crew of the film are going the extra mile to promote its OTT release.

Sai Dharam, left behind an audio message, thanking his fans and well-wishers for praying for his quick recovery after his recent road accident. "I couldn't watch 'Republic' with you people. Please watch our movie on ZEE5 and let us know your valuable feedback," he added. Jagapathi Babu, who missed out on being a part of Prasthanam and Autonagar Surya with Deva Katta in the past, shared that he was proud to have acted in Republic. "It's a film we all Indians should be proud of. It's a bold step to release the movie on OTT with the director's commentary. It shows the director's confidence in his product."

Jagapathi Babu felt that it takes a lot of guts to make a film like Republic and for Sai Dharam Tej to accept it. He opines Deva Katta has done an extraordinary job with the film and in fact had apprehensions about the audience response. While he found the theatrical reception 'encouraging', he is confident that the film will also elicit a similar response on OTT.

Deva Katta, thanking the ZEE group and ZEE5 for helping spread the word about the film in a massive way, mentioned that he made Republic to give a voice to his thoughts. "I and Tej were intent on respecting the audience. And we received respect in return. We are very proud," he added. The filmmaker hopes that the film attains a stature similar to Rudra Veena among audiences. Deva Katta said that he and his team have done a detailed analysis of Republic for audiences on ZEE5 to understand the purpose behind every scene, dialogue and shot. 

He expressed that a lot of credit behind Republic should go to Sai Dharam Tej's faith in the script. "I narrated the story of Republic to Tej after a mass masala flick like Supreme. It was a mass masala flick." Calling the actor his brother in the true sense of the word, Deva Katta was surprised when Sai Dharam had no apprehensions with the climax. "I told Tej that we are not living in a real democracy. After the script narration, he didn't want me to change the climax. When actors were avoiding me after I gave flops, he was stubborn about working with me."

On ZEE5 on November 26, there will be two versions of Republic - the movie alone and another version that will be attahced with the director's commentary. The second option will enable audiences to listen to the creator's voice.