OPINION: Why does Netflix not have Kannada movies on its platform, with Srii Murali starrer Bagheera set to be the first?

OPINION: Why does Netflix not have Kannada movies on its platform, with Srii Murali starrer Bagheera set to be the first?

As a dedicated follower of Kannada cinema and a frequent Netflix subscriber, I have been eagerly awaiting the day when Netflix would start streaming Kannada content. While I have enjoyed watching movies like KGF and Kantara on Amazon Prime Video, it’s high time that Netflix also joined the bandwagon.


Netflix, often renowned for delivering an abundance of entertainment through movies and TV shows globally, lacks Kannada content in its extensive library, despite being widely recognized on a global scale.

Netflix currently lacks any Kannada movies or web series in its library. Despite Bagheera’s creators revealing that it will be the first Kannada production to stream on Netflix, it seems that the streaming platform has been hesitant to incorporate such content up until this point.

Why hasn’t Netflix streamed Kannada content until now?

Over the past few years, the Kannada film industry has seen remarkable growth, particularly with productions like KGF and Kantara garnering significant attention both domestically and abroad. However, despite these films’ success in the Indian and global markets, Kannada cinema is still striving to achieve the recognition necessary for streaming on popular platforms such as Netflix.

Check out the trailer for Kantara:

Although you can currently stream those mentioned films on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix has just revealed its inaugural Kannada movie for their streaming service. Given this news, it’s worth recalling a statement made by Rishab Shetty previously.

During an interview at IFFI 2023, the actor-director behind Kantara shared that filmmakers in the Kannada industry are still required to struggle to have their films featured on OTT platforms. This could be due to the perceived low viewership of typical Kannada movies and a lack of interest among Netflix subscribers for such content.

Just like numerous other businesses, Netflix operates based on the principles of supply and demand when it comes to offering their services. While there’s a wealth of Kannada content within the industry, it is essential for the demand from subscribers to increase significantly if they wish to produce more movies and web series in this language.

In comparison to Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu, there are fewer viewers for Kannada content, meaning its demand hasn’t reached the same level yet. However, you might wonder why Malayalam cinema is more sought after by OTT giants. This is due to the rich variety of content available in the Malayalam film industry.

Despite numerous artists within the Kannada movie scene endeavoring to produce a variety of content, it’s often observed that the most prominent figures in this industry continue to favor one specific genre or develop content according to established templates.

In the film industry, it’s common for producers to showcase their leading stars within a single storyline, which might please die-hard fans but often doesn’t resonate with the general public or viewers on streaming platforms. As for the Kannada audience, there seems to be a preference for originality, and while exceptional creators occasionally produce remarkable work, the entertainment scene in this region can feel quite repetitive.

In Malayalam cinema, regardless of the smaller budgets, there’s an ongoing effort to explore various genres and creative approaches. This isn’t limited to newcomers; even established stars are keen on experimenting in this manner.

To strike a suitable blend of artistic experimental films and commercially successful movies is the key challenge for the Kannada film industry in today’s dynamic content distribution landscape. Conventional strategies might no longer be sufficient, given the necessity of offering a diverse array of content to cater effectively to the vast Netflix subscriber base.

As a lifestyle expert, I must mention that, unlike other film industries, the Kannada movie scene entered the dubbing arena relatively later on. With an influx of films from various languages being accessible globally, it’s crucial to have high-quality dubbing. However, when it comes to Kannada dubbing, there seems to be a scarcity of skilled voice actors and artists. Consequently, even though the original content may be excellent, the dubbed versions might not effectively reach their intended audience due to this talent gap.

Why is Srii Murali’s Bagheera set to make history as the first Kannada movie on Netflix?

The movie titled “Bagheera” stars Srii Murali in the lead role and is penned by Prashanth Neel, who also wrote the popular film “KGF”. Although it initially struggled at the box office, the film has managed to shine among other Kannada cinema productions due to its focus on high-quality production.

Check out the trailer for Bagheera:

The film directed by Dr. Suri is receiving generally favorable feedback from both viewers and critics, largely due to its gripping narrative about a vigilante hero set in a dark atmosphere. Not only has it resonated with audiences, but it’s also praised for the skillful way it was put together.

Considering all these aspects, it appears reasonable that a film such as Bagheera should find its home on Netflix for online streaming. Its high-quality production and diverse content set it apart from previous offerings, making it a more appealing choice.

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2024-11-13 17:53