Tagaru Palya on YouTube: Nagabhushan-led comedy is a hit after free streaming

For a film that had a theatrical run, OTT and TV outing, Tagarupalya is doing quite well after it dropped on YouTube for free streaming. The film, according to an official post by producer Daali Dhananjaya’s Daali Pictures, has notched up 2 million views in the one week since it’s been available. This is an encouraging number as far as reaching the film to maximum number of audiences goes.

Recently, the makers of Hondisi Bareyiri had revealed that the film which was an OTT hit with over 100 million streaming minutes, had clocked 13 lakh views on YouTube in 2 months time. Filmmaker Pawan Kumar had also taken to social media about the advantage of YouTube in terms of getting reach, as his film Dhoomam, in the Malayalam original version, had got 21 lakh views after it was made available for free streaming. The Kannada version did not have that kind of traction.

Dhoomam maker Pawan Kumar on making YouTube the most democratic way to show a film 

Given that filmmakers are increasingly open to the idea of a YouTube release for the reach, the buzz in industry circles is that in the coming months, there will be many more seeking this avenue. YouTube release, though, is not a great money-making option. At least that’s been the case for Hondisi Bareyiri, with director-producer Ramenahalli Jagannatha candidly admitting that it got him all of Rs 1.3 lakh in revenue.

Hondisi Bareyiri filmmaker Ramenahalli Jagannatha on the YouTube release of the film and how it worked out 

What some of these filmmakers are toying with now is the introduction of a QR code to scan and make a payment to the film team, if an audience member liked the movie and deems it fit for a payout. This is not mandatory yet to watch content.

With small time Kannada films struggling with theatrical releases and show retention, YouTube may soon become the go-to for many more.