Kiccha Sudeep’s magnum opus Vikrant Rona to get a straight-to-OTT release?

Kannada superstar Kiccha Sudeep’s much-awaited fantasy drama Vikrant Rona has been ready for release since mid-2021.It was even announced for an August theatrical outing, which the makers then pushed ahead to accommodate other major films that were ready for release. In early December, it was then revealed that they had locked on February 24, 2022, for the film’s worldwide release. However, with the world looking at a possible third wave of the pandemic and cases on the rise again, there have been lockdowns and other restrictions, forcing several filmmakers to postpone their release plans.

Although it is being rumoured that Vikrant Rona will also be pushed ahead, the team has not made any official announcement to that effect. In fact, according to producer Manjunath Gowda, who was quoted in a Kannada daily, they are still optimistic of sticking to the February 24 release plan. However, he added that this would be based on how the pandemic pans out and that they would consider a direct-to-OTT release only if the likelihood of a theatrical release is remote in the near future.

The report further states that the makers have an exorbitant offer on the table to let Vikrant Rona go to OTT first, but a source says it is unlikely, given that Zee5 already holds the digital rights of the film. Moreover, the makers had spent extra on converting the film to 3D format for a theatrical viewing experience, which will go to waste if Vikrant Rona heads to OTT directly.

Directed by Anup Bhandari, the film also stars Nirup Bhandari and Neetha Ashok, with Jacqueline Fernandez in a special role. The film, produced by Manjunath’s Shalini Arts, in association with Alankar Pandian’s Invenio Origin, is slated to get a 14-language release in 55 countries.