Reports suggest that a historic deal is in the works between a Telugu movie and the streaming giant Netflix. Apparently, SS Rajamouli's previous film, "RRR," gained international acclaim through its Netflix streaming, particularly in the United States after the Hindi version was released. This success has led Rajamouli to negotiate with Netflix to acquire all language versions of his upcoming movie SSMB29.
Sources have revealed that Rajamouli met with Ted Sarandos, Netflix's CEO, in Mumbai, where they discussed the deal behind closed doors. Although the price is yet to be finalized, reports estimate that it could be around Rs 800 Cr (USD100M). While the film is not a Netflix original, Rajamouli's marketing acumen, which helped promote "RRR" in the USA, will be taken into consideration to determine the best possible price.
Netflix has previously spent enormous amounts of money on original films, such as Rs 1600 Cr on "Red Notice" starring Dwayne Johnson and Rs 1210 Cr on Martin Scorsese's "Irish Man" as per some widespread reports on different websites. Therefore, it is clear that the streaming service is willing to invest heavily in quality content.
The upcoming movie, currently known as "#SSMB29," will star Mahesh Babu and will be produced by KL Narayana, with Rajamouli involved in all business dealings. The film is set to begin production in the fourth quarter of 2023.
This deal between Netflix and Rajamouli's movie could be a landmark event in Indian cinema. The streaming service's extensive reach and global audience could provide an unprecedented platform for Telugu cinema to showcase its storytelling talent to the world. In turn, this could inspire other Indian filmmakers to collaborate with Netflix to reach a wider audience.
Furthermore, this deal could signify a shift in the way movies are distributed and consumed in India. The traditional box office model may no longer be the only path to success, and streaming services like Netflix could offer an alternative and lucrative revenue stream for Indian cinema.
The potential acquisition of all language versions of #SSMB29 by Netflix could be a game-changer for Indian cinema. The deal could open doors to new possibilities for Indian filmmakers and pave the way for the growth and development of the industry. It remains to be seen how this deal will unfold, but one thing is certain: it is an exciting time for Indian cinema, and the future looks bright.
On the other hand, there is another rumor circulating about the meeting between Rajamouli and Ted Sarandos. Reportedly, there is a possibility of a mega Netflix original series being planned after the release of Rajamouli's upcoming movie, #SSMB29. Long time ago Rajamouli has expressed his desire to make a dream project, a film adaptation of the Indian epic Mahabharat, which would require a budget of over Rs 1000 Cr. Sources suggest that Rajamouli may seek a potential deal with Netflix for the project.
It is important to note that while this is just speculation, the potential collaboration between Rajamouli and Netflix could be significant for Indian cinema. The scale of the project, combined with the global reach of Netflix, could provide a massive platform for Indian storytelling and further elevate the industry's international recognition.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that producing a project of this magnitude would require significant financial backing and creative expertise. Thus, it remains to be seen whether this rumored project will come to fruition and how it will be executed.
The prospect of a Rajamouli-Netflix collaboration for a Mahabharat adaptation is exciting news for Indian cinema. While it is still speculation at this point, the potential for such a project to showcase Indian storytelling on a global platform is enormous. Only time will tell whether this dream project will come to life and how it will shape the future of Indian cinema.
