Rakshit Shetty’s ‘Ekam’ Rejected by OTT Platforms; Kannada Filmmakers Voice Discontent Over Industry Bias

Rakshit Shetty recently shared his ongoing struggle to secure interest for his new series Ekam, despite his recent successes. Scroll down to find more details.

Bengaluru: Kannada actor, director, and producer Rakshit Shetty, set the internet ablaze on June 17 with a bold proclamation. Revealing his plan to release his new Kannada web series, Ekam on a personal platform, citing disregard from other channels as the cause, his announcement turned heads. This unexpected play stirred quite a commotion among audiences and industry insiders alike in the Kannada film sector. Read on to find more details.

Rakshit Shetty Fails To Find OTT Deal: Here’s Why

The actor behind ‘Charlier 777’ on X/Twitter reflected, ‘Back in early 2020, we greenlit Ekam—a web series in Kannada with Journeyman Films. Despite the upheaval of the pandemic, we persisted. By October 2021, I watched the final cut of Ekam and felt exhilarated to see it come to life. Despite facing familiar challenges, we explored every avenue to bring Ekam to audiences. Ultimately, we decided to release it on our own platform, believing in the audience’s right to judge its merit. It’s a unique endeavor that demands acknowledgment and applause. Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t ignore it. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it (sic).’

Take a look at the post:

Presenting #EKAM – with love, from us to you! 🤗

Join the waitlist now!
🔗 https://t.co/PFMuw92M13 @ParamvahStudios @teamjourneyman #SumanthBhat @sandeep_ps5 @AaronMac05 @prakashraaj @RajbShettyOMK @ShineShetty_ @worldofekam @definestudio_ pic.twitter.com/e6DCwAj7tD

— Rakshit Shetty (@rakshitshetty) June 17, 2024

Recent discussions in the Kannada film industry highlight the challenges faced by filmmakers like Rakshit Shetty in securing OTT deals. Anup Bhandari, the director of ‘Vikrant Rona,’ weighed in on the issue, noting that OTT platforms are now showing interest in Kannada content. He acknowledged past reluctance due to performance concerns but pointed out the positive impact of recent successes in 2022. However, he highlighted a setback in 2023, impacting confidence in Kannada cinema among OTT platforms compared to other regional industries like Malayalam, Hindi, and Tamil, which have seen greater OTT uptake.

Hemanth Rao, creator of ‘Sapta Saagaradaache Ello,’ emphasizes the urgent need for OTT platforms and Kannada cinema to address content acquisition challenges. He questions why Kannada content isn’t prioritized, considering Karnataka’s cosmopolitan nature where films from various languages thrive. Unlike other South Indian states, Karnataka’s local language identity has taken a backseat, affecting business prospects. Rao suggests that major OTT platforms like Netflix or Amazon may perceive increased subscriptions in Bangalore and Karnataka when they feature Telugu or other regional films, influencing their content acquisition strategies.

Why the Karnataka Film Industry Lacks in OTT? Anup Bhandari Reveals Why

The Kannada cinematic world might not be as massive as some of its southern counterparts, but it’s impossible to ignore the waves created by recent hits like Kantara, KGF, Vikrant Rona, and 777 Charlie. These films have struck a chord with viewers all over India. This success leads us to question whether the craftsmanship in writing and storytelling is a driving force behind the popularity of content on streaming platforms.

Anup Bhandari emphasised the challenges: “We face a shortage of writers, directors, and stars. Creating compelling content for OTT platforms is crucial due to differing viewer preferences from mainstream cinema. The Malayalam industry has excelled with impactful small-scale films since the early 2010s, built on audience appreciation for meaningful cinema. Kannada cinema has seen similar success. Our aim as creators is to consistently earn audience trust. Sustainable success requires delivering quality content consistently, not just sporadically.”

What are your thoughts on the Kannada film industry? Watch this space to get the latest update on the same!