Manoj Bajpayee's Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai goes from OTT to theatre release, in probably an India first
The movie has received largely good reviews from film critics. (Photo: Zee5)
Probably in the first case of reverse migration of a film from an OTT platform to theatres in India, Manoj Bajpayee starrer Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is going from Zee5 to a theatrical release. The film, which was released on Zee5 on May 23, will now be released in selected theatres in India.
The movie has been released on 20 different screens, across 4 circuits, including Mumbai with six locations, Delhi-UP with nine locations, Bihar with four locations and Rajasthan with one, tweeted trade analyst Taran Adarsh.
MANOJ BAJPAYEE - ‘BANDAA’: IN CINEMAS FROM TODAY… In a surprise development, the producers of #SirfEkBandaaKaafiHai have released the film - which premiered on #Zee5 on 23 May 2023 - at select *cinemas* of #India today.#Bandaa - starring #ManojBajpayee - is riding high on… pic.twitter.com/4uVDW0fmV2
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 2, 2023
Multiplex chains yet to say yes
- Pan-Indian multiplex chains, however, are not screening the film.
- It's the single-screen theatres that are taking the film to the audiences in a few Tier 2 cities, in addition to some screens in the metro circuits.
- The director is hopeful that this will take the movie to people beyond the OTT audience.
The reason behind a theatrical release
- The decision of the producers could be attributed to the tremendous critical acclaim the movie has been receiving in just over a week of its release on Zee5.
- The film achieved a groundbreaking feat on its opening day, setting a new record as the most-watched digital original across languages on Zee5 this year.
Yayyy! #BANDAA IN CINEMAS FROM TODAY symbolic release on massive demand!
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) June 2, 2023
- The hard-hitting court drama is also being appreciated by the audience for Manoj Bajpayee's sublime performance and the on-point direction by Apoorv Singh Karki.
- An elated Manoj Bajpayee wrote on Twitter, "Yayyy! Bandaa in cinemas from today symbolic release on massive demand!"
What is the movie about?
- With the incredibly talented Manoj Bajpayee in the lead role, this movie presents a compelling true story that captures the unwavering determination of an ordinary lawyer fighting for justice.
- Bajpayee plays a role loosely inspired by Poonam Chand Solanki, the advocate who fought against godman Asaram Bapu in a 2013 rape case.
- Around the release of the movie, Asaram Bapu moved court to try and stall the release, but the court did not entertain his plea.