The Malayalam film Athiradi, starring Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph in lead roles and directed by Arun Anirudhan, was released in theatres on 14th May. The film received mixed reactions from both audiences and critics following its theatrical release.
Since its announcement, Athiradi had generated considerable buzz among viewers due to its ensemble cast. Alongside Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph, the film also features Vineeth Sreenivasan and Riya Shibu in important roles. Despite high expectations, the film reportedly concluded its theatrical run with collections of around 68 crores and achieved an average box office status.
Following its theatrical performance, Athiradi is now preparing for its digital debut on Zee5 from 19th June. The film is arriving on the platform after a four-week OTT window. It will be available in five languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.
The announcement of the OTT release has sparked fresh discussions among viewers. Many believe that Athiradi could find a wider audience through streaming platforms. Some viewers feel that the criticism surrounding the film has been limited and that audience reactions were more balanced than initially perceived.
Several viewers have described Athiradi as a decent action-comedy entertainer with several enjoyable moments. According to these opinions, a few pacing issues prevented the film from fully meeting expectations. However, many also believe that it is far from being a poor film and may perform better among OTT audiences.
It now remains to be seen whether Athiradi will resonate with streaming viewers following its release on 19th June. The film’s digital performance on Zee5 will determine whether it can secure a successful second innings through OTT platforms.
