Kuberaa producer alleges Prime Video threatened to cut ₹10 cr penalty if film isn't released on time

Producer Suniel Narang has claimed that Amazon Prime Video warned of a ₹10 crore deduction from the OTT rights deal for Kuberaa if the film does not release in theatres on June 20. In an interview, Narang said he had requested a few extra weeks for post-production and proposed a July release, but the platform declined and insisted on the original schedule.

“Telugu films come on OTT platforms in 28 days, sometimes we drag it to 30 days. They have overtaken everything, and it all goes according to their will,” Narang said. “I requested them [Prime Video] to give me a few weeks' time and a July date because there might be a delay in post-production. They said they’ll cut ₹10 crore if I don’t release on 20 June as planned.”

Narang also spoke about broader challenges in the film industry, citing heavy dependence on third-party service providers. He mentioned Qube Cinema for projection, BookMyShow for ticketing, and OTT platforms for post-theatrical revenue as examples of systems that producers must rely on regardless of a film's success or failure.

He responded to calls for reducing artist remuneration, stating, “India has a population of 145 crore, only 50 of them are superstars. They are gods, in my opinion. The issue lies with everything else but them. These other entities are happy irrespective of films being a hit or a flop.”

Kuberaa is directed by Sekhar Kammula and produced by Suniel Narang and Puskur Rammohan Rao under Amigos Creations. The cast includes Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, Jim Sarbh, and Dalip Tahil. The film, originally planned for an April release, is now scheduled to hit theatres on June 20. Its post-theatrical digital rights have been acquired by Amazon Prime Video.