A fresh round of online chatter has once again brought up an old and inaccurate claim that Deepika Padukone’s name was “removed and later re-added” from the credits of Kalki 2898 AD on streaming platforms. However, as Bollywood Hungama had already reported earlier, this speculation holds no factual basis whatsoever. Deepika Padukone’s name has always remained intact in the film’s end credits across all languages and OTT platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Netflix India. The confusion appears to have stemmed from fan-edited screenshots and videos circulating on social media, suggesting that the actress’s name was missing post the September 18 announcement by Vyjayanthi Films that she would not be part of Kalki 2. Industry sources have reconfirmed that no such alteration ever took place. Updating or replacing film credits on OTT platforms is a lengthy, multi-stage process involving international delivery systems, file replacements, quality checks, and re-approvals. It cannot be done overnight or in response to online backlash. A source close to the project clarified, “This entire claim is baseless. Deepika Padukone’s name has always been part of the official credits of Kalki 2898 AD across all languages and platforms. People need to understand that you can’t just ‘add or remove’ names overnight after backlash, as some reports suggested.”While Vyjayanthi Films has chosen not to issue an official statement, the film itself speaks for the truth anyone streaming Kalki 2898 AD today can clearly see Deepika Padukone’s name exactly where it has always been. Also Read: Fact Check: Deepika Padukone’s name dropped from Kalki 2898 AD end credits after exit row?.
Tag: bollywood hungama
SCOOP: Amazon Prime Video bags Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 for a staggering Rs. 110 cr; beats Netflix’s Rs. 100 cr offer
After making a mark in cinemas, Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 will find its way on OTT, on October 31. Prominent streaming giant Amazon Prime Video will stream the film’s original Kannada version, as well as dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, for now. The Hindi version of the period drama will be released digitally a month later. Bollywood Hungama has learned of an interesting development that took place with regard to the digital deal. A source told Bollywood Hungama, “The makers of Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 asked for Rs. 125 crores for the OTT rights, considering the buzz around the film. They approached Netflix and it agreed to offer Rs. 100 crores. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video gave a better deal and offered Rs. 110 crores for the streaming rights. This is how the film has made its way on Prime Video.”This marks the second-highest OTT deal ever for a Kannada film. KGF Chapter 2 (2022) still holds the top spot, with its digital rights fetching over Rs. 300 crores. Interestingly, both KGF and Kantara franchises are backed by Hombale Films, a banner that deserves credit for placing Kannada cinema on the global map through these monumental successes. Kantara starred Rishab Shetty, Sapthami Gowda, Kishore and Achyuth Kumar in leading roles. It tells the story of a carefree young lad in a forest in Karnataka who rises as a hero when a greedy landlord, believed to be friendly with the villagers, tries to usurp the land treacherously. The villagers are devotees of Panjurli, a demigod protecting the forest’s villagers and this aspect plays an important part in the story. As for Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, it stars Rishab Shetty along with Rukmini Vasanth, Gulshan Devaiah and Jayaram. This film attempts to delve deeper into the origins of the mythological tradition and ancestral conflict introduced in the first film. Both films are directed by Rishab Shetty. Interestingly, Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 ends with the promise of a sequel named Kantara: A Legend Chapter 2. Also Read: Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 Hindi version to release digitally after completing eight weeks in theatres.