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National media circles are buzzing with reports about the supposed OTT rights price for Mahesh Babu and Rajamouli’s Varanasi. The figure being circulated—₹1000 crore—is so exaggerated that it borders on satire. Marketing hype is understandable, but promoting such unrealistic numbers only dilutes the natural excitement surrounding the project.

What’s even more amusing is the claim that every OTT platform is allegedly competing at that price point. In reality, this sounds absurd. Across the industry, there are consistent reports that OTT platforms are tightening their budgets, prioritizing original content, and cutting down on massive acquisitions—especially regional films.

That doesn’t mean Varanasi won’t attract solid competition. It absolutely will. But projecting a ₹1000 crore deal is nothing short of ridiculous.

For perspective, Prabhas’ Spirit—sold during a time when OTT platforms were spending aggressively—closed at around ₹160 crore. Given today’s environment, where cost control is the norm, does the ₹1000 crore buzz even sound remotely logical?

Media-driven marketing is acceptable, but there has to be a sense of credibility. Otherwise, the publicity game risks backfiring and turning into fodder for memes and trolls.