Ramesh Aravind's Shivaji Surathkal 2 TV premiere set; OTT debut undecided

Shivaji Surathkal is, for director Akash Srivatsa, his version of an Indian Sherlock Holmes. He penned a story of a genius, but slightly hyper detective, with his own baggage, which was well received when the first film came out in 2020. At the time, it was said that the narrative was heavily inspired by Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express that featured Hercule Poirot as the detective. Called Ranagiri Rahasya, the first film was supposed to be Shivaji’s 101st case, to coincide with the fact that it was leading man Ramesh Aravind’s 101st film.

Three years later, the team returned with the second instalment , which was first thought to be Case No 103, but was later announced to be the 131st investigation, set six years after the events of the first film. On a break and leading a family life with his young daughter, Shivaji is called back into the thick of action following a series of murders. With four people dead and the prospect of a fifth victim too, Shivaji has to race against time to figure out the clues left behind by the serial killer. But can Shivaji decode it all in time and save the next victim amid his own eccentricities and personal baggage?

Shivaji Surathkal: The Mysterious Case of Maayavi was in theatres for 50 days, after which the team announced that Zee Network had picked up the satellite rights. Considering that the first film is also with the same platform, the assumption was that the sequel would also head to Zee5 Kannada and be available to stream, but as of today, the only confirmation that has been forthcoming from the network is that the film will get its television premiere on August 26 at 5 pm on Zee Kannada.

Review: Shivaji Surathkal 2 review: Ramesh Aravind shines in a clumsy thriller that works sparingly

When OTTplay checked in with Zee5 about the film’s OTT premiere, we were told that it had not been lined up yet. The next big Kannada film on the platform will be Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare in September.