Since the coronavirus induced-lockdown was announced and the news that theatres will take a while to open up broke out, speculations about several films hitting Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms directly have been rife. While few makers put out statements dismissing these rumours, some have remained tight-lipped.
On Friday, popular digital streaming service Amazon Prime put an end to many rumours by officially announcing the direct release of several Indian films. Hitting the OTT platform in May, June, and July will be Vidya Balan starrer Shakuntala Devi, Jayasurya starrer Sufiyum Sujathayum, Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Gulabo Sitabo, Danish Sait starrer French Biryani, Ragini Chandran starrer Law, Jyothika starrer Ponmagal Vandhal, and Keerthy Suresh starrer Penguin.
Shakuntala Devi
Vidya Balan starrer Shakuntala Devi is helmed by Anu Menon and jointly bankrolled by Vikram Malhotra’s Abundantia Entertainment and Sony Pictures Networks Productions. It is a biopic of the late mathematician Shakuntala Devi.
The film also stars Sanya Malhotra, who plays Vidya’s character’s daughter, and Jisshu Sengupta, who plays the husband, along with Amit Sadh in an important role.
The mathematical wizard or ‘human computer’, who was known for her ability to make incredibly swift calculations died in 2013, at the age of 83, due to respiratory and cardiac problems. She was also an astrologer, cookbook author, and novelist. She demonstrated her mathematical ideas around the world, at colleges, in theaters, on radio, and on television.
The film which was earlier set to hit theatres on May 8, 2020 will now stream on Amazon Prime. The online release date is yet to be announced.
Sufiyum Sujathayum
Sufiyum Sujathayum, starring Jayasurya and Aditi Rao Hydari in the lead roles is a romantic thriller directed by Karie fame Naranipuzha Shanavas. Bankrolled by Vijay Babu’s Friday Film House, Sufiyum Sujathayum is the fifth movie collaboration of Jayasurya and Vijay Babu after Philips And The Monkey Pen, Aadu Oru Bheekarajeeviyaanu 1 and 2, and Thrissur Pooram.
The story revolves around a married couple, Sujatha (Aditi) and Rajeev (Jayasurya). With two different timelines, the story will be narrated through songs.
The cast of Sufiyum Sujathayum includes Siddique, Hareesh Kanaran, Vijay Babu, Mamukkoya, Manikandan Pattambi, Kalaranjini, and Navas Vallikkunnu. Anu Moothedath is the cinematographer, Deepu Joseph is the editor, Mohammed Bava has helmed art, and M Jayachandran has composed the songs.
While the release date of the film is yet to be announced, it is reportedly the first Malayalam film to see a direct release on the OTT platform without hitting theatres.
sufiyum-sujatayum-poster-1
Gulabo Sitabo
Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana starrer Gulabo Sitabo will hit the OTT platform on June 12. The announcement of its premiere was made on Thursday morning before the news about the other films came out.
Helmed by Shoojit Sircar and bankrolled by Ronnie Lahiri and Sheel Kumar for Rising Sun Films, the dramedy was earlier set to hit theatres on April 17, 2020.
Gulabo Sitabo written by Juhi Chaturvedi deals with the relationship between a landlord and tenant who are constantly attempting to outdo each other with their own agendas.
This June 12 join us first-day first show for #WorldPremiereOnPrime of Gulabo Sitabo!
They say opposites attract. In this case, to wreck things up 😂#GiboSiboOnPrime @SrBachchan @ayushmannk @ShoojitSircar @ronnielahiri #SheelKumar #JuhiChaturvedi @filmsrisingsun @Kinoworksllp pic.twitter.com/RkTxV3Y802
— amazon prime video IN (@PrimeVideoIN) May 14, 2020
French Biryani
French Biryani starring stand-up comic Danish Sait is a comedy entertainer that is set to premiere on July 24, 2020. Helmed by Pannaga Bharana, the film has been bankrolled by Ashwini and Puneeth Rajkumar‘s PRK productions banner and Gurudutt A Talwar.
Also read, ‘I Will Always Be The Guy Who Has Nothing To Lose’: Danish Sait
Apart from Danish, Sal Yusuf, Rangayana Raghu, and Pito Bash have landed significant roles. Vasuki Vaibhav has composed music, cinematography by Karthik Palani and Deepu S Kumar was on the edit.
The film was written by Avinash Balekkala.
Say bonjour to French Biryani in its #WorldPremiereOnPrime on July 24.
PS: This dish is best eaten hot. #FrenchBiryaniOnPrime @PuneethRajkumar @PRK_Productions @DanishSait @pitobash #PRKAudio #PannagaBharana #MahanteshHiremutt #YusufSal pic.twitter.com/L4dbKEl4ma
— amazon prime video IN (@PrimeVideoIN) May 15, 2020
Law
Ragini Chandran starrer Law is a crime thriller that is set to premiere on June 26, 2020. Helmed by Raghu Samarth, the film was bankrolled by Ashwini and Puneeth Rajkumar under their PRK productions banner along with M Govinda.
The film also stars Siri Prahlad and veteran actor Mukhyamantri Chandru in important roles.
Sugnaan has handled the camera, Srikanth was on the edit, with Vasuki Vaibhav on music and Purushotam on art.
Now, we have a piece of evidence to support our statement! #Law releasing on 26th June! #LawOnPrime #WorldPremiereOnPrime@raginichandran #MukhyamantriChandru @PuneethRajkumar #AshwiniPuneethRajkumar#MGovinda #RaghuSamarth @vasukivaibhav #SiriPrahlad @PRK_Productions pic.twitter.com/ujzWphwlBI
— amazon prime video IN (@PrimeVideoIN) May 15, 2020
Ponmagal Vandhal
Jyothika starrer Ponmgal Vandhal is a courtroom drama that will premiere on May 29, 2020. The film is helmed by debutant JJ Fredrick and bankrolled by actor Suriya’s 2D Entertainment and co-produced by Rajsekar Karpoorasundarapandian was to hit theatres earlier on March 27.
The story of Ponmagal Vandhal is reportedly about Jyotika’s character’s revenge on the perpetrators of some wrongdoing. The film also features Thiyagarajan, K Bhagyaraj, R Parthiepan, Pandiyarajan, and Prathap Pothen in important roles. Govind Vasantha is the music director, Ramji handled the camera, Ruben on edit, and Amaran helmed art. Poornima has handled costumes for the film.
The film’s direct OTT release was mired in controversy as theatre owners were upset with the makers for skipping the theatrical window.
Read about the controversy here: Jyotika Starrer ‘Ponmagal Vandhal’ To Premiere On Amazon Prime On May 29
Delay in justice is injustice ⚖️#PonmagalVandhal releasing 29th May! #PonmagalVandhalOnPrime #WorldPremiereOnPrime@Suriya_offl #Jyotika @fredrickjj @rparthiepan @rajsekarpandian #Thiyagarajan #Pandiarajan #PratapPothen @2D_ENTPVTLTD @SakthiFilmFctry @SonyMusicSouth pic.twitter.com/AXGuTFRpNL
— amazon prime video IN (@PrimeVideoIN) May 15, 2020
Penguin
Keerthy Suresh starrer Penguin/PenQueen will directly premiere on Amazon Prime on June 19, 2020. The film was to hit the screens in early 2020.
Helmed by debut director Eashvar Karthic, the ‘woman-centric’ film is being bankrolled by Passion Studios and presented by filmmaker Karthik Subbaraj’s Stone Bench Films which had previously produced Meyaadha Maan and Mercury. The film marks Stone Bench Films’ third production.
Recommended
The cast of Penguin/PenQueen reportedly includes Madhampatty Rangaraj who was the lead in Mehandi Circus and Linga from Sindhubaadh. Karthik Palani has handled the camera, Anil Krish on edit, art by Sakthee Venkatraj M, and costumes were designed by Pallavi Singh. Santhosh Narayanan has composed music and Thomas Kurian was in charge of sound design.
Even before the announcement came on Friday morning, rumours were rife that the film was planned for a digital release directly, bypassing a theatrical run. A list given out by the Film Employees’ Federation of South India (FEFSI) led to the speculation.
Read more here: Keerthy Suresh Starrer ‘Penguin’ To Have A Direct Digital Release As Well
She’s on a path-breaking journey… destined to go very far! #Penguin releasing on 19th June #PenguinOnPrime #WorldPremiereOnPrime@keerthyofficial @EashvarKarthic @karthiksubbaraj @music_santhosh @madhampatty @stonebenchfilms pic.twitter.com/uFCxpcAUhH
— amazon prime video IN (@PrimeVideoIN) May 15, 2020