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Mowgli, which released in theatres earlier this month, is making a swift transition to OTT, highlighting the growing challenges faced by small films at the box office. The film will begin streaming just 20 days after its theatrical release, following a disappointing run in cinemas.

The movie hit theatres on December 13 with moderate expectations. It carried particular importance for Roshan Kanakala, son of popular anchor Suma, especially after his debut film Bubblegum failed to make an impact. Mowgli also marked the debut of actress Sakshi Madolkar and was a crucial project for director Sandeep Raj, who had earned acclaim for Color Photo and had been waiting for a solid theatrical outing. Actor Bandi Saroj Kumar also hoped the film would provide a breakthrough.

Unfortunately, negative reviews from day one severely affected the film’s prospects. Mowgli struggled to pull audiences into theatres and ultimately ended its run as a box office flop, adding another setback for production house People Media Factory. Its clash with Akhanda 2 further reduced its chances, making the release strategy a risky one that failed to pay off.

Now, within just three weeks of its release, Mowgli is set for its digital premiere. The film will start streaming on ETV Win from January 1, offering audiences an early chance to watch it online.

While producers often speak about extending the gap between theatrical and OTT releases to safeguard cinema revenues, underperforming films frequently move quickly to digital platforms to minimise losses. This has become a recurring trend in Tollywood, and Mowgli is the latest example.

With small-budget films finding it increasingly difficult to secure strong digital deals, early OTT releases are becoming the preferred option. It now remains to be seen whether Mowgli finds a better reception among OTT audiences.