Ravi Teja’s recent release, Irumudi, has turned out to be a money-spinner at the Tollywood box office. The Shiva Nirvana directorial has set the cash registers ringing, as the film has earned more than Rs 200 crore. Released on August 21, 2026, the Ravi Teja-starrer is still drawing solid family audiences to the theatres. But here’s the catch!

Irumudi OTT Release to Be Counterproductive?

Most regional Telugu films stream on digital platforms roughly 4 weeks (28 to 30 days) after their theatrical release. And the Irumudi filmmakers, too, sealed the OTT deal much before the release. As part of the pre-committed agreement, the OTT giant started streaming the film on Friday (September 18). But Irumudi is still running successfully in theatres, thanks to its massive theatrical success at the box office, while simultaneously making its digital debut.

Exhibitors/distributors fear that the film’s digital release would significantly impact and kill the theatrical momentum and box-office revenue. The tricky situation has left the producers in a spot of bother. Apparently, the production house and exhibitors/distributors held talks with the OTT giant to push the digital premiere back, but their efforts were futile.

The digital release of the Prabhas-starrer Kalki 2898 AD also encountered a similar situation. But in this case, the makers managed to extend the big-screen window rather than move quickly to OTT platforms.

Irumudi Digital Release Reignites Debate

Filmmakers often favour the pre-set 4-week agreements due to financial safety and early recovery before release. However, Irumudi’s early arrival on OTT has reignited the debate over the 4-week window period. Questions are being raised over whether Tollywood needs to rethink the rigid 28-day limits for high-performing films. On the other hand, filmmakers argue that it is hard to predict a breakout hit in advance. Having invested so much in a film, they believe an early bailout is a natural choice.

Also Read: Photos: Ram Charan and Chiranjeevi Congratulate Ravi Teja and Irumudi Team

Casting a mythological character can come with its own set of rules, and for Dev Sharma, height turned out to be an unexpectedly important one. At the trailer launch of Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, the actor revealed that he had previously auditioned for the role of Lakshman in both Adipurush and Nitesh Tiwari’s much-awaited Ramayana. Neither worked out, but the reason behind one rejection was rather unusual.

Speaking about his earlier auditions, Dev said, “Before this, I was offered the role of Lakshman in both Adipurush as well as Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. My look tests were also almost finalised, but things didn’t work out.

He then explained that his physical appearance became a deciding factor in both projects. “Somewhere I was two inches taller than the actor playing Lord Rama and in another I was as huge as the actor playing Lord Rama, so I wasn’t finalised. So, I was disheartened that maybe my connection with Ramayana is not that good, that is why I am being rejected again and again.”

In Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, with Sai Pallavi as Sita and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. Yash is set to portray Ravana, while Sunny Deol plays Hanuman. The ambitious two-part adaptation is reportedly being mounted on a budget of around ₹4,000 crore, with the first instalment slated for a Diwali 2026 release.

Interestingly, Dev’s Ramayana journey eventually found its way back to him, just in a different role. He is now playing Lord Ram in Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha, which also stars Anjali Arora as Sita and Rajniesh Duggall as Ravana. Directed by Abhishek Singh, the film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 25.

Dev has previously shared that he initially turned down the project when the makers approached him. His father encouraged him to hear the narration before making a decision, and the script ultimately changed his mind.

From missing out on Lakshman twice to finally stepping into the shoes of Ram, Dev Sharma’s journey with the epic has certainly taken an unexpected route. Sometimes, a casting rejection really is just a detour.

Also Read: Mahakavya Shri Ramayan Katha Trailer: Dev Sharma And Anjali Arora To Play Ram and Sita

The Earthshot Prize Awards Night will be held in Mumbai, with Karan Johar set to be the first Indian to host the annual ceremony. This not only marks a monumental moment for the filmmaker but also for India as it prepares to hold its first edition for the event.

The Earthshot Prize Awards is a prestigious global environmental event which champions five participants each year for creating an innovative solution to protect the Earth.

On being given the hosting honours, the filmmaker Karan Johar said, “To be the first Indian to host the Earthshot Prize Awards Night is a moment of immense pride for me, and to do so in Mumbai makes it all the more meaningful. In cinema, we imagine new worlds. The innovators celebrated by Earthshot are showing us how to build a better one. That is what makes HRH Prince William’s vision so compelling: it gives us not just reasons to hope, but ideas we can act on. India has the creativity and ambition to be an important part of that future. I’m honoured to welcome the world to Mumbai and help give these remarkable people the recognition they deserve.”

The founder and president of the Earthshot Prize said, “Every year, our Finalists give me renewed optimism. They show us that, even as the environmental challenges remain urgent, extraordinary people around the world are already proving that progress is possible. Seeing solutions work gives us all confidence to act. When they succeed, they inspire others and accelerate change. I’m proud to welcome these 15 Finalists to the Earthshot Prize community and look forward to celebrating their stories in Mumbai this November.”

Across the two days of the Awards night, various global leaders, innovators, funders, businesses, and communities will come under one roof to build connections and lend their support for environmental solutions.

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The sixth Earthshot Prize Awards Night will be held on November 17, 2026. There will be a total of 15 finalists, followed with revealing the five winners of the 2026 edition. Each of these winners will receive £1 million to help fund the ideas and enable the execution for the solution.

Also Read: Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year 3 To Become Series, Shanaya Kapoor To Play Double Role?