PremiumUpcoming Kannada OTT releases in 2023 – Netflix, Prime Video, SunNXT, JioCinema, Zee5 and others
Challenging Star Darshan's Kaatera is the next big release expected on OTT
Last Updated: 07.51 PM, Jan 02, 2024
The year 2023 has been abysmal for the Kannada film industry as far as OTT releases go. While there have barely been any direct OTT outings, quite a few of the 100-off films that released in the first half of the year are yet to find a digital partner. Netflix does not take Kannada films, while Amazon Prime Video picks the occasional title. The hope, then, is for Sun Network or Jio CInema to do the needful, but even there, the Kannada releases have been few and far between.
KAATERA
Challenging Star Darshan's Kaatera is the Kannada film that is closing out 2023. In theatres on December 29, the film launches Malashree's daughter Aradhana Ram as a leaing lady. Directed by Tharun Sudhir, Kaatera is yet to be censored, but already has its digital and satellite partner on board.
Streaming platform: Zee5 Kannada
Streaming date: TBA
BAD MANNERS
Bad Manners, starring Abishek Ambareesh in the lead, is headed to theatres on November 24. Directed by Duniya Suri, the film has Abishek in the role of a cop, on the quest of country-made pistols. The film also stars Rachita Ram in the lead.
Streaming platform: Zee5 Kannada
Streaming date: TBA
BANARAS
Directed by Jayathirtha, Banaras, which was the launchpad of Zayed Khan, the son of politico Zameer Ahmed Khan, was a sci-fi romantic thriller that explored time loops. Shot in picturesque Banaras, the film released in theatres a year ago and is set to come to OTT shortly. It also stars Sonal Monteiro in a pivotal role.
Streaming platform: Zee5 Kannada
Streaming date: December (Tentative)
SAPTA SAGARADAACHE ELLO SIDE B
The second instalment of Rakshit Shetty's film with Hemanth M Rao, which also stars Rukmini Vasanth, Chaithra J Achar, Gopalkrishna Deshpande, among others, is in theatres on November 17. If the streaming drop of Side A is anything to go by, Side B can be expected within a month of its theatrical release.
Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video
Streaming date: TBA
GARADI
Yogaraj Bhat's film on traditional wrestling, Garadi, is releasing in theatres on November 10 as a Deepavali special. The film stars Yashas Soorya, Sujay Belur, Sonal Monteiro, BC Patil, P Ravishankar, among others. Challenging Star Darshan will be seen in a pivotal cameo.
Streaming platform: TBA
Streaming date: TBA
YADHA YADHA HI
Yadha Yadha Hi, which stars Hariprriya, Vasishta N Simha and Diganth in the lead, is the official Kannada remake of the Telugu film, Evaru.
Streaming platform: TBA
Streaming date: TBA
SHIVAJI SURATHKAL: THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF MAAYAVI
This is the second instalment in the Kannada detective saga featuring Ramesh Aravind in the lead. Set six years after the original, this is case number 131 for the sleuth.
Read our review: Shivaji Surathkal 2 review: Ramesh Aravind shines in a clumsy thriller that works sparingly
Streaming platform: Zee5 Kannada
Streaming on: TBA
PENTAGON
A collection of five short films helmed by five different filmmakers, Pentagon is an overarching view of life, death and everything in between. Starring Kishore, Pruthvi Ambaar, P Ravishankar, Tanisha Kuppanda, Prakash Belawadi, among many others.
Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video
Streaming date: TBA
THOTHAPURI 2
Owing to the box office failure of Thothapuri 1, it was reported that the makers are looking at taking the second part directly to OTT, but Thothapuri 2 is also getting a theatrical outing shortly.
Streaming platform: Zee5 Kannada
Streaming date: TBA
PREMAM POOJYAM
Nenapirali Prem's milestone 25th film was a tragic love story, in which he played a cardiologist pining for his long-lost love. The film introduced Brunda Acharya as a leading lady.
Streaming platform: TBA
Streaming date: TBA
VIJAYANAND
The biopic of Padma Shri Vijay Sankeshwar, the founder of VRL logistics, is releasing in theatres on December 9. Led by Nihal Rajput as Vijay, the film has an ensemble cast including Bharath Bopanna, Anant Nag, V Ravichandran, Siri Prahlad, Archana Kottige, Shine Shetty and Prakash Belawadi, among others.
Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video
Streaming date: To be announced