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Pepe on OTT: Vinay Rajkumar’s ‘action flicks’ to stream on THIS platform?

Pepe on OTT: Pepe’s story, despite its noble intentions, lacked emotional depth, which, along with its violent content failed to attract audiences

Pepe on OTT: Vinay Rajkumar’s ‘action flicks’ to stream on THIS platform?
Vinay Rajkumar in a still from Pepe

Last Updated: 09.20 AM, Sep 13, 2024

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Vinay Rajkumar’s second release of the year, after the romantic comedy Ondu Sarala Prema Kathe, was a more raw, gritty and rather violent film, which was dubbed the actor’s most massy movie to date. Directed by debutant Shreelesh P Nair, Pepe had created quite the buzz right from the first teaser, which showed Vinay like a more conventional mass hero, while the promise was of the film being high on content, in keeping with the actor’s sensibilities and earlier choice of movies.

Vinay Rajkumar in and as Pepe
Vinay Rajkumar in and as Pepe

When the film released in theatres, though, audiences were left confused and disappointed with Sreelesh’s non-linear narrative and surplus of characters, which was difficult to keep track off, despite the team’s efforts to explain the family tree structure of the families at feud in the tale. As a result, the film failed at the box office and ended its theatrical run within a few days.

Pepe coming to Amazon Prime Video?

While a theatrical release and good reviews or theatrical revenue are major criteria to bag satellite or digital deals, the buzz is that Pepe has managed the latter. According to a recent report, Pepe will soon begin streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Given that the hit film Bheema landed on the platform within 30-days of its release, Pepe is also expected to be out shortly. Although, it is not clear yet if the film has got a pay-per-view deal or rental only.

Pepe had Vinay as the title character, a descendent of the Raayappa family. A lot of blood has been shed between Pepe’s family and those of Malabari, Raghavendra and Narayana. Can Pepe put an end to this feud that stems from caste oppression? Sreelesh’s film also touches upon women’s right, but despite the noble intentions in the story-telling, the lack of emotional depth is what worked against it.

Vinay Rajkumar in and as Pepe
Vinay Rajkumar in and as Pepe

The film’s cast includes Mayur Patel, Raghavendra Rajkumar, Kaajal Kunder, Aruna Balraj, Sandhya Arekere, Medini Kelamane, Yash Shetty, Naveen D Padil, Bala Rajwadi, Shashidhar Bhat, Shivu Kabbanahalli, Raviprasad Mandya, among others.

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