The producers of Upendra's film UI have indicated that the satellite and digital rights have been sold, contrary to earlier reports suggesting a deal with Sun Network, which they have denied. According to sources, the film is set to be associated with Zee Network, with a potential OTT release anticipated by the end of January.

Historically, Zee Network has primarily acquired satellite rights for Kannada films, allowing filmmakers to negotiate digital rights independently. Amazon Prime Video has emerged as a favored platform for many, although it has shifted from outright purchases to pay-per-view arrangements.

Only satellite rights of UI with Zee?

It appears that the arrangement between UI and Zee Network may be confined to television rights. Recently, Zee Kannada unveiled a promotional teaser for the film's upcoming television debut. While the channel has not disclosed a specific date, the teaser's "coming soon" label prompted viewers to question why the television premiere was scheduled prior to the OTT release, leading to speculation that the digital rights remain unsold.

At one point, the UI team asserted that the film was the highest-grossing Kannada film of 2024, despite the absence of official figures regarding its budget or box office earnings. Estimates suggest that the film grossed between Rs 40 crore and Rs 45 crore, marking a record for an Upendra production.

The film enjoyed a strong opening upon its release on December 20, but experienced a significant decline in box office performance following the debut of Kiccha Sudeep’s Max just five days later. UI concluded its theatrical run last week, and while an OTT release was anticipated, the announcement of a television premiere was met with disappointment from audiences, who expressed concerns that frequent commercial interruptions would detract from the viewing experience, particularly for a film like UI, which the director emphasized requires attentive engagement to fully appreciate its embedded messages.

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