Mazaka Flops in Theatres, Hits 100M Minutes on Zee5!

Some films struggle in theatres but find a second life on OTT, and Mazaka is a perfect example. Despite heavy promotions, Sundeep Kishan’s comedy-drama, co-starring Ritu Varma, Rao Ramesh, and featuring Anshu’s comeback, failed to impress at the box office. However, what seemed like a lost cause on the big screen turned into an unexpected triumph on streaming. While theatres couldn’t accommodate its humor, emotions, and storytelling, Zee5 audiences welcomed it with open arms.

Streaming giant Zee5, known for bringing hidden gems to the forefront, released Mazaka on Ugadi—and the response has been nothing short of phenomenal. The film has crossed a massive 100 million streaming minutes, making it one of the top trending movies on the platform. Directed by Trinadha Rao Nakkina, Mazaka blends humor, family emotions, and a heartwarming father-son dynamic. The chemistry between Sundeep Kishan and Rao Ramesh has become the film’s biggest highlight, delivering moments that make viewers laugh and tear up in equal measure.

Reacting to the film’s OTT success, Lloyd Xavier, Vice President of SVOD South, ZEE5, expressed his delight. “Mazaka is now making waves in regional cinema on Zee5. We are thrilled to see the overwhelming response to the film, which has set a new benchmark in Telugu OTT content. The father-son duo of Rao Ramesh and Sundeep Kishan has truly struck a chord with audiences, further reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality entertainment.”

At a time when theatrical performance is no longer the only measure of a film’s success, Mazaka proves that stories can find their audience in different ways. While it couldn’t make a splash on the big screen, it has created a wave in the digital space. And let’s be honest—hitting 100 million minutes is no small feat. Perhaps, in the OTT era, box office failures aren’t failures at all—just delayed success stories!