The Kannada film Bagheera, produced by Hombale Films, became available on OTT platforms just three weeks following its theatrical release. However, it was offered in only four languages: Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, with no Hindi version included. This absence of a Hindi option was due to a stipulation requiring an eight-week interval between theatrical and OTT releases, despite the fact that Bagheera was not released in theatres with a Hindi version.

Bagheera's Hindi version headed to Disney+ Hotstar

This week, Hindi audiences will have the opportunity to view the film, as it is scheduled to be available on OTT platforms on Christmas Day. The Hindi version of Bagheera will not be included among the other South Indian language versions on Netflix; rather, it will be released on Disney+ Hotstar on December 25. Notably, Bagheera was the first Kannada film to be acquired by Netflix prior to its theatrical release.

Bagheera, helmed by Dr Suri, serves as an origin narrative featuring Sriimurali, known as the Roaring Star of Kannada cinema. The plot centres around an upright IPS officer who endeavours to rectify the issues within his jurisdiction, only to face restrictions imposed by his department. Undeterred in his quest for justice, he adopts a vigilante persona at night. The essence of the film lies in his journey to deliver justice as Bagheera.

Director Dr. Suri's film has drawn comparisons to Hollywood superhero movies, particularly Batman, a comparison the filmmaker has acknowledged as intentional, especially regarding its visual style and technical aspects. The cinematography by AJ Shetty and the musical score by Ajaneesh Loknath stand out as significant elements of the film.

Upon its release, the film received predominantly favourable reviews; however, its box office results were moderate, with many online commentators suggesting it merited greater success. The film features Sriimurali alongside Rukmini Vasanth, with KGF's Garuda Ram portraying the primary antagonist. The cast also includes notable actors such as Prakash Raj, Achyuth Kumar, Rangayana Raghu, Prakash Thuminad, and Sudharani, among others.

There is potential for Bagheera to evolve into a franchise, although the production team has yet to confirm a sequel. Sriimurali has several upcoming projects, while Dr Suri has not yet revealed his next endeavour.

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