The Sankranthi season of 2024 promises a cinematic extravaganza with a lineup of 5-6 highly anticipated movies set to hit the screens. Amidst this buzz, all the films have locked in their release dates, standing firm without any postponements. This festive period signifies a golden opportunity for movies to rake in substantial box office collections.
However, the winds seem a bit challenging for Ravi Teja’s upcoming film, ‘Eagle.’ Reports suggest that unlike the other movies, ‘Eagle’ faces hurdles in securing an OTT deal, a crucial aspect for film revenue nowadays.
In the entertainment landscape, the OTT industry plays a pivotal role, often becoming a significant source for film revenue. Production houses aim to seal OTT deals before theatrical releases, ensuring a safety net for their investments.
Unfortunately, Ravi Teja’s track record with his last two films, ‘Ravanasura’ and ‘Tiger Nageswara Rao,’ encountering lackluster performances, coupled with his unwavering stance on remuneration, has made it difficult for ‘Eagle’ to land a lucrative OTT deal. The film’s high budget has reportedly led to demands for a considerable price from OTT platforms, posing a challenge for producers.
In contrast, other Sankranthi releases have successfully sealed deals with various OTT platforms. Mahesh Babu’s ‘Gunturu Kaaram,’ Venkatesh’s ‘Saindhav,’ and Teja Sajja’s ‘Hanuman’ have inked agreements with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Zee5, respectively. Even Nagarjuna’s ‘Naa Saami Ranga’ found a last-minute home on Hotstar, likely influenced by Nagarjuna’s popular stint on Bigg Boss.
Hopes remain high that a solution will emerge for ‘Eagle,’ allowing it to secure an OTT deal before its release, ensuring its success during the festive season.