Fri Jan 23 13:40:00 UTC 2026: # Kannada Cinema Faces Uphill Battle During Sankranti, Turns to OTT

The Story:
Kannada cinema continues to struggle for theatrical dominance during the Sankranti/Pongal festive week, traditionally overshadowed by big-budget Tamil and Telugu releases in Karnataka. This year, Sanchith Sanjeev’s debut film, Mango Pachcha, was postponed due to this competition. While theatrical options are limited, Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms offer an alternative, featuring crime thrillers such as Bandook and the Malayalam film Kalamkaval (dubbed in Kannada), even as the Kannada film Bank of Bhagyalakshmi release has been postponed on Amazon Prime Video.

Key Points:

  • Theatrical releases of Kannada films are often challenged during the Sankranti/Pongal week due to competition from Tamil and Telugu films.
  • Mango Pachcha, the debut film of Kiccha Sudeep’s nephew, was postponed from its initial Sankranti release date.
  • Bandook, a Kannada crime drama directed by Mahesh Ravikumar, premiered on Lionsgate Play on January 16, 2026, nearly six months after its theatrical release.
  • Kalamkaval, a Malayalam crime thriller starring Mammootty, became available on Sony LIV on January 16, 2026, with a Kannada dub.
  • Bank of Bhagyalakshmi, a Kannada comedy heist film, was expected to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on January 12, 2026, but the release was postponed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kannada cinema is facing challenges in securing theatrical releases during major festival periods due to the dominance of other regional film industries.
  • OTT platforms are becoming increasingly important for Kannada filmmakers to reach their audience, especially with films that may have had limited theatrical runs.
  • The postponement of Bank of Bhagyalakshmi highlights the unpredictable nature of OTT release schedules.
  • Dubbed content from other languages broadens the viewing selection available to Kannada-speaking audiences via OTT platforms.
  • Upcoming Kannada theatrical and OTT releases are already being promoted for February 2026 suggesting efforts to create momentum outside the Sankranti window.

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