Siddhu Jonalagadda, who gained widespread popularity with DJ Tillu and later with Tillu Square, had high expectations surrounding his new film, Jack, directed by Bommarillu Bhaskar. Given Siddhu’s rising fanbase, the film generated plenty of buzz, but after its release on April 10, it failed to meet expectations, receiving mostly negative reviews.
Most critics noted that Siddhu’s character in Jack was akin to his last performance in DJ Tillu, thus bringing about a déjà vu feeling. Though his ardent fans came out in his defense on social media, the movie could not make headway in drawing more viewers. Consequently, Jack experienced poor box office collections, with its box office collections declining with every passing day. This had everyone speculating whether the producers were contemplating an early OTT release to make up for the movie’s mileage.
Confirmed sources now reveal that Netflix has acquired the OTT rights of Jack at a significant cost. Considering its poor performance in cinemas, the producers have opted to advance its streaming release to reach a wider audience. Jack is likely to hit Netflix on May 1st or 2nd, with the exact date to be announced soon.
Starring Siddhu Jonalagadda in the central role, Jack also has Vaishnavi Chaitanya, who has been seen in Baby, as the heroine, with Prakash Raj in a key role. Even though the box office failure is a reality, the early OTT release provides an opportunity for the film to gain new life, reaching more people and perhaps getting more attention on the streaming platform. By taking this strategic step, the producers seek to change directions and enhance visibility for the movie, particularly in front of audience members who can be persuaded back to theatres.