Most-awaited Kannada OTT releases in May 2025 on JioHotstar, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Sony LIV, Zee5

In the first three months of 2025, a whopping 72 Kannada films released in theatres, of which only about 10 have made it to OTT so far. The majority of these films that are currently available to stream are on Amazon Prime Video, with a couple on Sun NXT as well, but the harsh truth is that more than 80% of the films released in 2025 are languishing with no streaming partner in place.

Anamadheya Ashok Kumar

When a leading lawyer is murdered and the main suspect is a journalist who’d gone to interview him, but claims to be a victim himself, the ensuing interrogation between the investigating officer and the suspect/victim – that is the central plot of debutant director Sagar Kumar’s Anamadheya Ashok Kumar. Harshil Koushik of Achaar and Co fame and multi-lingual actor Kishore Kumar are at the helm of this thriller.

Streaming platform: To be announced

Agnyathavasi

Gultoo-fame Janardhan Chikkanna’s third directorial, Agnyathavasi, produced by Hemanth M Rao, is perhaps the first film of the year to hit theatres with a streaming partner on board pre-release itself. In fact, Hemanth had delayed the film’s theatrical release to be able to strike post-theatrical deals. The film revolves around a murder in a sleepy Malnad village, where crime is a rarity and the officials woefully inexperienced to investigate the same. And yet, the inspector figures it out, which throws up some long-buried secrets.

Streaming platform: Zee5 Kannada

Adhipatra

Bigg Boss Kannada Season 9 winner Roopesh Shetty’s first Kannada film since his stint on the reality show was Adhipatra, an investigation thriller set in coastal Karnataka. Roopesh’s first film as a cop had him investigate a fellow officer’s murder, as well as the mystery behind his missing service revolver.

Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video (expected)

Bhuvanam Gaganam

Director Girish Moolimani’s film, with Premier Padmini fame Pramod, Pruthvi Ambaar and Rachel David in the lead, is an exploration of relationships, from the perspective of the two leads, Abhi and Ram, played by Pramod and Pruthvi. While for Abhi it is about mending his issues with his wife, Ram’s problems are different, given that he is differently abled.

Streaming platform: To be announced

Manada Kadalu

Director Yogaraj Bhat’s much publicized reunion with the producer of his biggest hit Mungaru Male, Manada Kadalu had him collaborating with a bunch of newcomers – Sumukha, Rashika Shetty and Anjali Anish. The film follows Sumukha, an MBBS dropout, in a coming-of-age love story. The film also stars Rangayana Raghu, Dattanna, Shivadwaj, among others. It had opened to mixed reviews during its theatrical outing.

Streaming platform: To be announced

Vidyapati

The fourth production venture by Daali Dhananjaya and second featuring his pal Nagabhushana in the lead, the comedy Vidyapati did not have a streamer on board at the time of its release, but is expected to be on a leading platform shortly. Directed by Ikkat fame Esham and Haseen, Vidyapati paired Nagabhushana with Upadhyaksha fame Malaika Vasupal and followed his character, a free-loader living a life of luxury off of his famous wife’s success.

Streaming platform: To be announced