During a recent interview, Thandel producer Bunny Vas stated that they are releasing the film in AP-Telangana markets on their own, and that OTT rights deal has only led to partial budget recovery. Now the film’s presenter, Allu Aravind, has commented on the film industry’s dependence on OTT deals and why it needs to stop.

In an interview with Galatta, Allu Aravind said, “Believing OTT platforms, or that half of the recovery will be made through OTT rights—those days are gone.” Referring to the big-league streamers like Netflix and Prime Video, the veteran producer said, “I know they are watching this interview. They are very choosy, and they don’t take every film. Yes, there are certain privileges for producers who deliver consistent hits—OTT gives certain privileges to these banners; they pay a bit more for these films.

Without mentioning any particular films, Allu Aravind talked about how producers are now struggling with this dilemma. He added, “I have seen many producers who started their films this way, like that, and burnt their fingers halfway through. There is a huge, surprising number of these films, in both Tamil and Telugu.” While the producer confirmed that they entered into an understanding for a deal with Netflix 3 months into Thandel's production, he noted that not all big films are easy to sell. “I won’t name them, but 2-3 big films are made in Telugu. They are still waiting for an OTT to embrace them,” he added.

Allu Aravind also candidly spoke about the guidelines he passed on to the creatives and executives at his production house around 5 months ago. He recalled telling them, “Hereafter, all our mindsets should work, thinking whether the subject, the director, the hero, or the combination that we are taking will work well theatrically. If it is not working theatrically, it won’t work on OTT. Please only depend on theatrical.”

Also starring Sai Pallavi in the lead, Thandel is reportedly the biggest-budgeted film of Naga Chaitanya’s career. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, the film releases on February 7.