The Lady Killer, featuring Arjun Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar, had one of the most understated launches for a Hindi film in recent times. The movie debuted on November 3 last year but did so with a very limited theatrical release. It was shown in only 50 theaters across the country during its opening. According to Bollywood Hungama, around 500 people attended the film on its first day, resulting in a modest box office revenue of approximately Rs 38,000. Directed by Ajay Bahl, known for his work on Section 375. The film is now exclusively available on YouTube instead of any major streaming platforms.
Interestingly, despite its low-key distribution, several viewers had positive feedback for the film. One YouTube commenter remarked, “It’s a good one; Arjun Kapoor did a great job here, and this film deserves appreciation.” Many others echoed similar sentiments, with another audience member asking, “Is it just me who liked this movie? Thought it was a good one.”
This raises the question: why was the rollout so limited? Reports indicate that production issues played a significant role in the movie’s budget and timeline. Bollywood Hungama mentioned that around ten days of filming remained incomplete. Rather than finish these scenes, producers opted to utilize the footage they had already shot. To maintain narrative coherence without incurring further shooting costs, they creatively edited the film and incorporated voiceovers for the missing scenes.
The contractual obligation with an OTT platform primarily drove the limited release. The agreement stipulated that the filmmakers needed to release the film in theaters. They had to do this before making it available to their digital partner. This reflects a broader trend in the industry. OTT platforms often present creators with lucrative financial opportunities. As a result, they reshape the distribution landscape. A source informed Bollywood Hungama that filmmakers frequently have to release films in theaters. They may do this even if just for a short time to fulfill these digital contracts. Consequently, The Lady Killer made its theatrical debut mainly to comply with these requirements.
