Prabhas’ Kalki 2898 AD, after an eight-week run in theaters, is gearing up for its global streaming debut on August 22, 2024. The film will make its way to Amazon Prime Video and Netflix in different languages, showcasing a growing trend in how films are distributed across multiple platforms.
Kalki 2898 AD will be available on Prime Video in its original Telugu, with dubs in Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. This streaming debut will be accessible to Prime members in India and across more than 240 countries and territories.
Also Read – Karthik Subbaraj Style: Retro Telugu BO Doubtful?
On the same date, the Hindi version of Kalki 2898 AD will be streamed globally on Netflix.
This multi-platform release is becoming increasingly common. For instance, Prabhas’ previous films, Radhe Shyam (2022) and Adipurush (2023), followed a similar pattern, with Hindi versions on Netflix and South language versions on Amazon Prime Video.
Also Read – HHVM Release Date: With or Without OTT?
Similarly, the blockbuster RRR (2022) was available on multiple platforms, with its Hindi version on Netflix and South Indian versions on Disney+ Hotstar and Zee5.
Hombale Films adopted a split-release strategy for KGF and Kantara. For KGF, all language versions were on Prime Video, while Kantara saw the Hindi version on Netflix and other versions on Prime.
Also Read – Thaman’s BGM Born Out of Jealousy for Anirudh?
Their 2023 film Salaar had its Hindi version on Disney+ Hotstar and other versions, including English dubs, on Netflix.
The trend of distributing different language versions of a film across various OTT platforms reveals a strategic approach by producers to enhance revenue.
By splitting the film’s release, they capitalize on the distinct market values of each language version.
Hindi versions often command higher prices because they reach a broader audience, reflecting their greater commercial potential.
In contrast, regional versions, which might not have the same expansive reach, are usually bundled together on a single platform.
This approach allows producers to optimize their earnings by tapping into diverse viewer bases while leveraging the specific market strengths of each language version.
For example, the OTT rights for all the South language versions of Kalki 2898 AD fetched almost the same amount as the Hindi rights alone.
