OTT Platforms Ignore Kannada Films, Forcing Us to Release on YouTube – Rishab Shetty
Rishab Shetty, the actor and director behind the 2022 Kannada blockbuster Kantara, recently opened up about the challenges faced by Kannada filmmakers in securing OTT releases. Despite the film’s massive success and the recognition it garnered at the 70th National Film Awards, where Rishab Shetty won Best Actor and the film won Best Entertaining Film, Kannada films still struggle for visibility on major streaming platforms.
In a candid interview with PTI, Shetty expressed his frustration, explaining that many filmmakers in the Kannada industry are forced to release their films on YouTube due to the lack of interest from OTT platforms in acquiring Kannada content. “We premiere at festivals and win awards, but we do not get any platform for that. OTT platforms do not buy Kannada content, so we are forced to put it on YouTube channels. I am done with that. We don’t get any recovery from such films,” said Shetty.
Reflecting on Kantara’s success, Shetty credited the entire team for their dedication, emphasizing that the film’s achievements belong to every member who worked on it. He added, “I am just a face of it, but there were a lot of technicians who gave their best for the film. I want to thank the people on their behalf.”
Kantara, released in 2022, is a critically acclaimed film that explores the clash between villagers and powerful landowners in a small coastal village in Karnataka. The film, with its deep roots in local folklore, was a massive box-office success, grossing over Rs 450 crore. Shetty, who also directed the film, portrayed the lead role of Shiva, a rebel fighting against the exploitation of nature.
Looking ahead, Shetty will be seen in Kantara Chapter 1, a prequel to the original film, following his last project, Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare (2023).
