Karthi’s Sardar 2 has arrived on OTT just 21 days after its theatrical release, following a disappointing run at the box office. The P S Mithran-directed spy thriller, which arrived in cinemas amid expectations surrounding the sequel to the 2022 film, struggled to sustain during its theatrical run.
Sardar 2 began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on October 1, giving audiences an chance to watch the film at home less than a month after its big-screen release. The early OTT premiere also comes after Karthi’s Vaa Vaathiyaar followed a similar route earlier this year, arriving online within 14 days.
Sardar 2 arrives on OTT after 21-day theatrical run
The directorial had arrived in theatres on September 10, but its box office performance failed to meet expectations.
As per reports Sardar 2 was made on a budget of Rs 70 crore and collected around Rs 16.3 crore net in India. This means the film recovered approximately 23.29 percent of its reported budget, leaving a reported deficit of Rs 53.7 crore, or 76.71 percent. Based on a report by Koimoi, the film has been deemed a flop at the Indian box office.
The sequel failed to match the impact of the first Sardar, which released in 2022. returned in dual roles, while SJ Suryah, Malavika Mohanan, Ashika Ranganath and Rajisha Vijayan were also part of the cast.
Karthi’s Films Take The Fast Route To OTT
Sardar 2’s digital premiere comes months after another Karthi release followed a similar path. His comedy-action film Vaa Vaathiyaar, which released during the Pongal season, began streaming on Amazon Prime Video on January 28, just 14 days after its theatrical release. The film was made available in five languages.
The two releases have created discussion around shorter theatrical-to-OTT windows, especially when films struggle to attract audiences in cinemas.
The film’s theatrical run was also talked about as it released alongside Soori’s Mandaadi. While both films competed for audiences during the same period, Soori’s action drama emerged as the clear box-office winner, crossing Rs 100 crore, continuing to attract audiences. In contrast, Sardar 2 witnessed a decline in collections as its theatrical run progressed.
Sam CS has composed the music for the film, with lyrics penned by Nambi, Lavita Lobo, Imbachi and Zeba Tommy. George C Williams serves as the director of photography. Sardar 2 is produced by S Lakshman Kumar and Ishan Saksena, with A Venkatesh serving as co-producer. The film is backed by Prince Pictures and Ivy Entertainment.