The highly anticipated film “Varanasi,” directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Rajamouli, is currently stirring excitement across social media platforms, primarily due to its recent title announcement and the release of glimpses from the project. Despite the film’s official release being a year away, buzz surrounding its OTT (over-the-top) rights has begun to circulate, with estimates suggesting a deal could reach up to 650 crores. However, industry insiders are skeptical about such figures given the current market landscape.
Rajamouli is known for his shrewd marketing strategies, often generating massive publicity without spending a dime. He has successfully created a stir by simply erecting two flex boards in Varanasi, which has fueled discussions online. The film is backed by a substantial budget in the hundreds of crores, making it a significant project in the Indian cinema landscape. Traditionally, the highest revenue from such ventures is garnered through OTT rights, with potential buyers like Netflix and other major streaming platforms eyeing the project.
However, the OTT market is currently experiencing a downturn, making it challenging to secure high-value deals compared to a year ago when such transactions were more favorable. The expectation was that the deal would be finalized at the time of the title announcement, but several months have passed since the release of the initial glimpses without any confirmation on the rights. This delay has led to speculation that Rajamouli may be seeking to finalize an international deal, which could involve interviews with international media as part of the marketing strategy.
Rumors are circulating on social media that the OTT rights for “Varanasi” could exceed 600 crores, but many industry experts believe that such a figure is unrealistic given the current dynamics. The recent OTT deal for “Spirit,” starring Prabhas, has been reported at 170 crores, indicating that while it’s a significant project on a pan-India level, it has not yet reached the global appeal needed to command a higher price. Analysts suggest that while Rajamouli’s films usually draw considerable attention, a deal in the range of 340 to 440 crores is more plausible based on current market conditions.
Furthermore, claims of a 650 crore OTT deal are viewed skeptically within the industry. If a deal of that magnitude had indeed been secured, it’s likely that details would have emerged prior to the release, as the team would be focused on completing the film efficiently. Currently, there are no credible sources to confirm that “Varanasi” has closed its OTT rights in the range of 600 to 650 crores; rather, this seems to be a case of social media hype. Realistically, a deal closing at around 400 crores would still be considered a major accomplishment in the present market scenario.
