The Devil OTT Release Update: Has Zee5 Acquired Digital Rights of Darshan Film?

The theatrical release of actor Darshan's much-anticipated film, The Devil, has provided a solid opening for the star, despite the challenging circumstances surrounding its launch.

The political action-thriller, which sees the Challenging Star in a compelling dual role, managed to secure a decent performance at the box office over its initial run. Fans, galvanized by their unwavering support for the actor, turned the opening weekend into a show of solidarity, flocking to cinemas across the state.

The film's plot, which centres on Krishna, a humble mess owner, whose life is thrown into chaos after being forced to impersonate Dhanush-a dangerous chief minister's son known simply as The Devil has been an intriguing draw.

The narrative traces Krishna's perilous tightrope walk as he tries to navigate the political deceit while protecting the vulnerable people in his orbit, with Rachana Rai's character, Rukmini, serving as the emotional anchor of the conflict. This dramatic premise, coupled with Darshan's star power, initially powered a robust box office collection, netting an estimated ₹21.45 Cr India net in its first four days.

However, the film's momentum struggled to sustain itself beyond the initial fever pitch. Collections on Saturday and Sunday-typically high-performing days-did not meet industry expectations.

This slowdown has largely been attributed to mixed audience reception, with word-of-mouth proving insufficient to drive mass footfall. Compounding this challenge has been the complete absence of the lead actor from any promotional activities, a direct consequence of his current legal situation involving the Renuka Swamy murder case, which has inevitably cast a shadow over the film's commercial prospects.

OTT Rights Deal

Beyond the box office struggles, the team behind The Devil is now grappling with a significant challenge concerning the film's post-theatrical distribution, particularly its streaming future.

In a development that has surprised industry observers, the film was released without any digital or satellite partners listed in its title credits, a highly unusual occurrence for a big-budget, star-led production which typically recoups a substantial portion of its budget from such pre-release deals.

As per a report in OTTPlay, the initial agreement for the film's Over-The-Top (OTT) and satellite rights has been cancelled.

The digital rights were previously secured by Zee Network, the same media house that had successfully picked up Darshan's earlier hit, Kaatera. The deal, signed in early 2024, included a significant payout to the makers, anticipating a smooth December 2024 theatrical launch, sources told Ottplay. The arrangement was intended to cover both the satellite broadcast and digital streaming rights for the film.

However, the production was abruptly halted following Darshan's arrest in mid-2024. The resulting uncertainty over the resumption of shooting and the final release schedule ultimately led to the deal with the Zee Network being called off.

This cancellation means that, despite the film's theatrical run, its crucial digital and satellite rights are currently not attached to any platform. This leaves the producers in a precarious position, now having to renegotiate new distribution agreements after the film's release, and likely under different commercial terms. While the film has shown a strong initial surge, its long-term profitability and audience reach will now depend on securing a new, profitable digital home.