Max out on OTT: Kiccha Sudeep’s much-awaited thriller is now available to stream

Max, the biggest hit of Kannada cinema of 2024, had released in theatres for Christmas. The film, directed by debutant Vijay Kartikeyaa, and with Kannada superstar Kiccha Sudeep in the lead, was expected to make its way to OTT within a month and was widely speculated as the big streaming release of January 2025. Instead, days later, a world television premiere was announced. Netizens were astounded – a TV outing before the OTT release was unheard of. Could it be that the OTT rights had remained unsold?

Turns out the satellite and digital rights had been sold and the network was experimenting with a new format, bringing a film to all audiences on the same date and time. Moments ago, Max made its OTT debut on Zee5, while it also began playing on Zee Kannada. Irrespective of the gadget one chooses to watch it, Max is available everywhere. Whether or not that is a masterstroke move will become clear when Zee Network reveals the TRP and streaming figures of the premiere.

Max released a good two years and a half since Sudeep’s last, Vikrant Rona. The actor had taken time to confirm his next after Vikrant Rona and when he did, the buzz was that it would be shot quickly to ensure a mid-2024 release. However, since the film was entirely shot in Mahabalipuram, Chennai, their schedules were disrupted because of floods. It was subsequently wrapped up and said to be prepped for a September release, in time for Sudeep’s birthday.

Also read: Max movie review: Kiccha Sudeep is at his A-game in maximum mass one-man show 

However, when the film’s release date was not announced, Sudeep said he lost interest in dubbing for the film in other languages. At a promotional interview for Max, Sudeep clarified that he’s only dubbed for the Kannada version of the film. Eventually, when producer Kalaippuli S Thanu got back with a Christmas release plan, it had caused a bit of an uproar in Kannada film circles, because it would then clash with Upendra’s UI, which would be in theatres on December 20.

The film, in which Sudeep played the title character, a nickname his Arjun Mahakshay got from the gangsters in town for his heavy-handed measures against them. The story unfolds over one night, which, as it so happens, is the night before Max is to take charge at a station, following a suspension. When his colleagues apprehend two men associated with local gangs, certain events occur at the station that puts all the officers and their families in harm’s way. Can Max figure out how to keep them all safe?

Also read:

Max censor certificate reveals THIS plot point in Kiccha Sudeep’s action drama 

Max, which has music by Ajaneesh Loknath is a thriller with just over 2 hours run-time. The film also stars Ilavarasan, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Sunil, Ugramm Manju, Samyukta Hornad, Redin Kingsley, Sudha Belawadi, Sukrutha Wagle, Pramod Shetty, Anirudh Bhat, Vamsikrishna, Sharath Lohithashwa, Vijay Chendoor, among others. 

The film is also streaming with Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam audio options on Zee5 and can be watched with OTTPlay Premium too.