It is quite common for films to receive a strong response in theatres but face criticism after arriving on OTT platforms, and sometimes the reverse happens as well. Now, Irumudi appears to be facing a similar situation.
The film reportedly crossed the Rs 200-crore mark theatrically, but its OTT release has triggered a noticeably different reaction, particularly among sections of the Hindi-speaking audience.
Several Hindi viewers are questioning how the film managed to achieve such impressive theatrical numbers.
Social media discussions are filled with criticism of its writing, treatment and overall narrative. A Bollywood critic went to the extent of calling it “the most irrational Ravi Teja film I have seen this year, an unavoidable ragebait.”
Film critics have also pointed to the difficulty the movie faces in balancing two contrasting identities.
On one hand, it attempts to present itself as a tender father-daughter emotional drama, while on the other, it ventures into dark crime-thriller territory. According to some reviews, these two strands do not always blend convincingly.
Weakly written villains and noticeable plot holes have also drawn criticism. Some viewers felt that the spiritual theme, despite receiving considerable visual emphasis, remained more of a cosmetic element than an integral force driving the narrative. This has further contributed to the debate surrounding the film.
Adding to the negativity is the Hindi-dubbed version, which has been criticised by viewers for its dubbing quality and dialogue delivery. As a result, considerable negative chatter is now surrounding Irumudi on OTT.
However, on the theatrical front, Ravi Teja’s market has strengthened, while director Shiva Nirvana has also gained greater recognition and opened up opportunities to take on bigger projects.
