PremiumDisney+ Hotstar to enter Malayalam industry with OTT release of Mohanlal and Prithviraj’s Bro Daddy?
The movie, which marks Prithviraj’s second directorial, is rumoured to be a direct-to-OTT release
Last Updated: 12.34 PM, Oct 01, 2021
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s second directorial Bro Daddy that has Mohanlal in the lead along with the former, could head for a direct-to-OTT release, according to reports. The movie could also mark Disney+ Hotstar’s first Malayalam direct-to-OTT release.
Trade analyst Sridhar Pillai had tweeted that the platform is set to foray into the Malayalam OTT space, which has till now been dominated by Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.
With the Kerala government yet to give a nod to reopen theatres, more movies are looking at direct-to-releases. Tovino Thomas’ big-budget superhero flick Minnal Murali will drop on Netflix on Christmas eve. However, considering that Bro Daddy, which has a huge star cast led by Mohanlal and Prithviraj, too heading for OTT, it could be a major blow for exhibitors.
However, there’s still hope for theatre owners as Vineeth Sreenivasan recently clarified that he will be releasing his directorial Hridayam only in theatres. Dulquer Salmaan’s Kurup, Mohanlal’s Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham and Aaraattu too are eyeing theatrical releases, when cinema halls are allowed to function.
Currently, filmmakers are hoping that by mid-October, the Kerala government will allow theatres to reopen. Antony Varghese’s Ajagajantharam and Aanaparambile World Cup are two other movies that are set for theatrical releases.
Meanwhile, Prithviraj in an earlier interview had said that Bro Daddy was made for theatres. However, it’s not up to the producer to decide which platform the movie releases, he said. “My wish is for it to reach maximum audience; whichever way it releases,” he said.
Apart from the duo, Bro Daddy also has Kalyani Priyadarshan, Kaniha, Mallika Sukumaran, Unni Mukundan, Jagadish, Lalu Alex and Murali Gopy.
Prithviraj’s Bhramam, which will be released on Amazon Prime Video in India, meanwhile will also have a theatrical release in the rest of the world where cinema halls are open.