Kantara on OTT: Rishab Shetty’s film to have its digital premiere on November 24?

Is this the answer to the long-standing question about the OTT release date of Rishab Shetty’s ‘divine’ blockbuster? Well, if the buzz on social media is to be believed, we have a final answer. According to trade tracking handles, Amazon Prime Video, which holds the digital rights of the film will premiere the film on November 24, with the likelihood of it being made available for rental-only a few days prior. There’s no official confirmation from the streamer or the production house, Hombale Films, but social media is flooded with posts about the November 24 premiere, including what posters that almost look like official confirmation of the same.

When Kantara released on September 30, the digital rights had already been sold and the film was expected to begin streaming after the 30-day mark. November 4 was supposed to be the date when it would come on Amazon, everyone thought. But then, no one, not even the makers foresaw just how big a success Kantara would be. The film, at 50 days at the box office, is still drawing crowds and holds the distinction for selling a whopping 1 crore tickets in Karnataka alone. In fact, shortly after the Kantara craze took hold, the filmmakers had to advance the plans of dubbing it in other languages. Kantara was meant to be dubbed for OTT only, but two weeks after its theatrical release, the team was scrambling to make it available in other languages in movie halls.

When November 4th neared, there was still hope that the film could drop on the platform, albeit on rental-basis only, but that was not to be and the production house clarified that Kantara would not premiere on OTT so soon. Thereafter, the rumours were about November 18, when the film completes 50 days at the box office. But then came trouble in the form of a copyright claim by Thaikkudam Bridge, alleging that the popular number Varaha Roopam was more than just inspired from their song, Navarasam. The case is still sub-judice and the makers have been barred from putting the song on any streaming platform, which would include Amazon Prime Video. Rumour is that Hombale Films is in discussion with Mathrubhumi, which owns the copyright and that the issue will be sorted shortly, which is also why, November 24 is now being pushed as the newest OTT release date.

Well, now that Kantara appears to be in the last leg of its theatrical run, even though it is still doing well in some centres, and director-actor Rishab is finally off on a holiday, it appears that November 24 could be the day after all.