Jr. NTR has teamed up with pan India director Prashanth Neel for a large-scale action entertainer that is already creating massive buzz across industries. Widely rumored to be titled Dragon, the film is currently being shot in Jordan. What stands out is that even before a major portion of the shoot is completed, the project has already locked a blockbuster OTT deal, which clearly reflects the craze surrounding it.
Leading streaming giant Netflix has acquired the post theatrical digital rights of the film for a reported Rs. 125 crore, making it one of the biggest OTT deals in Tollywood so far. Interestingly, this is not the first time Netflix has shown confidence in NTR. His previous film Devara also premiered on the same platform and reportedly did decently in terms of viewership.
However, this deal does not follow the old outright buy model. In recent years, OTT platforms faced heavy losses by paying fixed amounts for films that later underperformed in theatres. To avoid repeating those mistakes, streaming platforms have now adopted a smarter approach by linking OTT payments to theatrical performance.
Under this system, a base amount is agreed upon, but the final payout depends on how well the film performs at the box office. As per strong trade buzz, Netflix’s Rs. 125 crore deal for Dragon comes with a condition. The film must collect at least Rs. 500 crore gross worldwide. Only if this benchmark is achieved will the makers receive the full amount. If the film falls short, the payout will reportedly be reduced. On the flip side, if the film exceeds expectations and performs exceptionally well, there is also a provision for higher compensation.
Given the hype around the NTR and Prashanth Neel combination, industry experts expect a massive opening. If the content clicks, crossing the Rs. 500 crore mark is not very difficult. Adding to the film’s appeal, Rukmini Vasanth plays the female lead, Anil Kapoor appears in a key role, and the music is composed by Ravi Basrur. The film is jointly produced by Mythri Movie Makers and NTR Arts.
