Irumudi: Netflix Saved Ravi Teja from Toxic’s Shadow?

Irumudi Gets Advantage From Toxic’s Failure

According to the latest industry buzz, Mythri Movie Makers reportedly wanted to postpone Ravi Teja’s Irumudi by at least a week because of Yash’s Toxic. But Netflix reportedly refused to change its OTT plans. That decision may have turned into a huge favour for Irumudi.

Mythri was reportedly worried that releasing Irumudi so close to Toxic could hurt the film. Toxic was being presented as a massive pan-India film and was expected to take away screens and audience attention. Irumudi, meanwhile, was coming with Ravi Teja after a series of disasters and a lot of skepticism.

The makers reportedly wanted to avoid the risk and push Irumudi by a week. But Netflix had already fixed its post-theatrical OTT slot and reportedly did not agree to the change. With the OTT commitment in place, Mythri had no choice but to release Irumudi as planned on August 21.

What looked like a problem turned into a blessing.

Toxic opened with huge expectations but quickly collapsed because of terrible audience talk. Irumudi, on the other hand, caught fire at the box office and became a sensational success. As Toxic fell, Irumudi got a clear opportunity to attract audiences looking for a proper commercial entertainer. Some people who watched Toxic even reportedly watched Irumudi again to refresh themselves after the torture they experienced with Toxic.

The irony is hard to miss. Mythri was reportedly worried that Toxic would damage Irumudi. Instead, Toxic’s disastrous run gave Ravi Teja’s film even more breathing room.

Had Irumudi been postponed by a week, it could have missed the exact window when audience sentiment turned strongly in its favour. The film may or may not have got the same advantage if it had entered theatres later.

There is a simple lesson here. Sometimes a problem can turn into the biggest advantage.

Netflix reportedly refusing to change the OTT slot may have forced Irumudi into theatres at exactly the right time. What looked like a restriction may have actually helped Ravi Teja and Mythri score a historic box-office win.