The national media is abuzz about the proposed OTT rights price for Mahesh Babu and Rajamouli's Varanasi.
The number being circulated, Rs 1000 crore, is so unbelievable that it sounds like a joke.
Marketing and hype are understandable, but projecting such unrealistic figures only dilutes the seriousness and natural buzz around the project.
Another joke within the joke is that media outlets are unanimously claiming all OTT platforms are competing to buy the rights at that price. How laughable it is.
On one side, there are reports and open discussions about OTT platforms tightening budgets and shifting focus toward original content rather than spending huge amounts on regional films.
That does not mean Varanasi will have no competition. But projecting Rs 1000 crore is completely ludicrous.
For context, Prabhas' Spirit, which closed long ago when OTTs were spending freely, was sold at around Rs 160 crore.
In the current environment, where platforms are cutting costs and showing less interest in regional acquisitions, does Rs 1000 crore sound logical?
Marketing through media networks is fine, but there should be some believability. Otherwise, the entire publicity script will flop, inviting memes and trolls.
