Wed Dec 17 13:15:25 UTC 2025: Karnataka’s Own OTT Platform, “Namma Karnataka,” Set to Launch in Late January 2026
Bengaluru, December 17, 2025 – Karnataka is poised to join the streaming wars with its own dedicated Over-The-Top (OTT) platform, “Namma Karnataka,” slated to launch by the end of January 2026, coinciding with the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes). The announcement, initially made by Sadhu Kokila, president of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, in June 2024, aims to provide a platform for visual content created in Kannada, Tulu, Kodava Byari, and other languages of the state.
Mehboob Pasha, chairman of Sree Kanteerava Studios, the organization spearheading the initiative, confirmed the launch in an exclusive interview with The Hindu. The Government of Karnataka has allocated ₹5 crore for the project, first announced in the March 2025 budget.
Inspired by the rise of OTT platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic and the perceived neglect of regional language content, “Namma Karnataka” seeks to level the playing field. Pasha proposed the idea with the goal of breaking the monopoly on content led by Mumbai and Noida-based studios.
A 10-member panel, including prominent figures like Sadhu Kokila, and producers KP Srikanth and Rockline Venkatesh, was formed to develop the platform’s framework. They drew inspiration from the models in Kerala and Meghalaya. Unlike Kerala’s CSpace, which uses a pay-per-view system, “Namma Karnataka” will adopt a subscription model, alongside a ticketed model for new releases. The platform will showcase Kannada movies, documentaries, and content focused on art and culture.
A content examining committee will ensure quality and appropriateness, after which revenue-sharing agreements will be established with producers based on viewership.
“We are planning to produce films and web-series at Kanteerava Studio, which has the required equipment so we can manage the production cost; this will benefit independent filmmakers greatly. There are a repository of films in the archives which we plan to screen based on demand,” adds Mehboob. Pasha emphasized that the initiative would also generate employment in the entertainment industry.
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