PremiumExclusive! It’s Mohanlal’s Bro Daddy vs Tovino’s Minnal Murali on Disney+ Hotstar and Netflix this Christmas
Amazon Prime Video is also reportedly in negotiations to release Mohanlal’s Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham on Christmas
Last Updated: 02.38 PM, Oct 21, 2021
Malayalam audiences are in for a treat on OTTs this Christmas! Even as theatres are set to reopen, streaming services Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are planning to release big movies starring Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Tovino Thomas as part of their festive releases.
Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce president Anil V Thomas, in an exclusive chat with OTTplay, revealed that Mohanlal’s Bro Daddy will clash with Tovino Thomas’ Minnal Murali this Christmas. “Right now, Antony Perumbavoor’s Aashirvad Cinemas has sold Bro Daddy’s OTT rights to Disney+ Hotstar and they are planning to release the film on Christmas to take on Netflix’s Minnal Murali.” Bro Daddy will be Disney+ Hotstar's second big direct-to-OTT Malayalam release after Nivin Pauly's Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham, which is expected to drop in November.
However, it’s not just these two big films that audiences could see. If Amazon Prime Video and Aashirvaad Cinemas reach a deal, Mohanlal and Priyadarshan’s Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham will also release directly on OTT after a long wait for theatres to reopen.
“Amazon Prime Video wants to release the movie on Christmas, but then that would mean that there would be two Mohanlal movies, with Bro Daddy also releasing on Disney+ Hotstar the same day,” Anil tells us. “The discussions are currently progressing but both teams haven’t reached a deal yet.”
An OTT release for Marakkar, however, would mean that the makers would be violating the Kerala Film Chamber’s rule of not opting for direct-to-OTT release after taking an advance sum from theatres. Aashirvaad Cinemas apparently took an advance of Rs 30-40Cr to release the movie in 300 theatres, according to Kerala Film Exhibitors Federation president Liberty Basheer.
Anil, however, says that he is hopeful that the makers of the movie would choose for a theatre release first. “Otherwise, we will have to take legal action,” he says.
While Marakkar is a period film that has Mohanlal playing Kunjali Marakkar IV, Bro Daddy is a feel-good family entertainer starring Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Minnal Murali is a superhero film that has Tovino Thomas playing Jason, who acquires superpowers after being struck by lightning.
Meanwhile, Dulquer Salmaan’s Kurup is set for a theatrical release next month. Mammootty’s Puzhu is also expected to be a Christmas release in theatres. Mohanlal's Aaraattu will also be a theatrical release and the makers are expected to announce its release date soon.