The wait is finally over for fans eager to witness Srinivas Bellamkonda’s spine-chilling performance in the horror thriller “Kishkindhapuri” from the comfort of their homes. After a successful theatrical run that began on September 12, 2025, the film is now set to make its digital debut on Zee5, with industry insiders confirming an October 2025 premiere date.
Directed by Koushik Pegallapati of “Chaavu Kaburu Challaga” fame, this supernatural thriller has captured audiences’ attention with its unique premise and impressive technical execution. The film stars Srinivas Bellamkonda alongside Anupama Parameswaran in lead roles, delivering what critics are calling one of the most authentic horror experiences in recent Telugu cinema.
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Confirmed OTT Release Timeline
According to multiple industry reports, Zee5 has secured the digital streaming rights for Kishkindhapuri in a massive deal. The streaming giant, along with Zee Telugu, has bagged both digital and satellite rights, with the film expected to premiere in the second week of October 2025.
Kishkindhapuri OTT Release Details |
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Streaming Platform: Zee5 |
Expected Release Date: Second week of October 2025 |
Satellite Rights: Zee Telugu |
Alternative Timeline: Late October/Early November 2025 |
Different sources suggest slightly varying timelines, with some reports indicating a late October or early November release window. However, the consensus points to mid-October as the most likely premiere date, giving the film approximately one month of exclusive theatrical run before its digital debut.
Box Office Performance and Critical Reception
The horror thriller has shown impressive resilience at the box office despite facing stiff competition from Teja Sajja’s “Mirai.” The film opened with a collection of ₹2.15 crore and demonstrated steady growth over its opening weekend, with Sunday collections touching the ₹3 crore mark for the first time.
Within its first four days, Kishkindhapuri collected an estimated ₹9.20 crore across India, with the film maintaining an overall occupancy of 32.08% on its fourth day. The movie showed particular strength in regions like Karimnagar (59.25%), Hyderabad (39.25%), and Warangal (42.25%).
Box Office Performance Breakdown |
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Opening Day Collection: ₹2.15 crore |
4-Day India Net Collection: ₹9.20 crore |
Worldwide Collection: ₹16.3 crore |
Overseas Collection: ₹2.5 crore |
Production Budget: ₹25 crore |
The film’s worldwide collection has reached ₹16.3 crore, with overseas markets contributing ₹2.5 crore to the total. With a reported production budget of ₹25 crore, the film is working toward recovering its investment through both theatrical and digital revenues.
Cast and Crew Excellence
Kishkindhapuri boasts an ensemble cast that brings depth to its supernatural narrative. Srinivas Bellamkonda delivers what many consider his strongest performance to date as Raghav, showcasing significant growth as an actor, particularly in the film’s intense climax sequences.
Main Cast:
- Srinivas Bellamkonda as Raghav
- Anupama Parameswaran as Mythili
- Tanikella Bharani in a pivotal role
- Makrand Deshpande as supporting character
- Srikanth Iyengar in key role
- Hyper Aadi providing comic relief
- Hina Bhatia as Friend
Anupama Parameswaran impresses with her balanced portrayal, with critics noting her subtle performance in the first half that transforms into emotional depth in the film’s gripping second half. The supporting cast, including veterans like Tanikella Bharani and Makrand Deshpande, adds gravitas to the supernatural proceedings.
Technical Brilliance Behind the Scares
Director Koushik Pegallapati’s vision comes alive through exceptional technical execution. The film’s cinematography by Chinmay Salaskar creates an atmospheric visual experience with lighting and color tones that enhance the eerie ambiance. Sam C.S.’s background score has been particularly praised for elevating tense and horror-filled moments.
Technical Team:
- Director: Koushik Pegallapati
- Producer: Sahu Garapati (Shine Screens)
- Music: Chaitan Bharadwaj
- Background Score: Sam C.S.
- Cinematography: Chinmay Salaskar
- Editor: Niranjan Devaramane
- Production Design: Manisha A. Dutt
The production values under Shine Screens banner are notably impressive, with reports suggesting that the radio station set alone was constructed at a cost of nearly ₹2 crore. This attention to detail is evident throughout the film’s visual presentation.
The Story That Captivated Audiences
Kishkindhapuri follows the story of Raghav (Srinivas Bellamkonda) and Mythili (Anupama Parameswaran), a couple from Kishkindhapuri village who run a ghost-walking tour business. They make their living by taking tourists to abandoned buildings and narrating spooky tales, usually fabricating stories to entertain their clients.
However, their routine takes a terrifying turn when they lead a group to an old, abandoned radio station called Suvarnamaya. What begins as another fabricated tour becomes a nightmare when they encounter a real supernatural entity that begins hunting down the visitors one by one. The spirit uses the radio station to announce the names of its next victims, creating an atmosphere of dread and terror.
The narrative explores several mysteries: What is the hidden truth behind the Suvarnamaya Radio Station? Why was it shut down 35 years ago? What is the backstory of the woman who became a vengeful spirit? These questions form the core of the film’s compelling horror narrative.
Critical and Audience Response
The film has garnered an impressive 8.5 rating on IMDb from over 2,200 user ratings, indicating strong audience appreciation. Critics have praised the film’s organic horror approach, noting that it relies on genuine scares rather than comedy elements that often dilute horror experiences in Telugu cinema.
Strengths identified by critics:
- Well-executed jump scares without background score dependency
- Unconventional approach to the ghost tour premise
- Strong technical values and atmospheric presentation
- Authentic horror experience without comedic interruptions
- Compelling twists that keep audiences engaged
Areas for improvement noted:
- Some pacing issues in the initial portions
- Occasional logical gaps in the screenplay
- Limited emotional depth in certain sequences
What Makes Zee5 the Perfect Platform
Zee5’s acquisition of Kishkindhapuri aligns with the platform’s strategy to offer diverse regional content to its subscribers. The streaming service has been consistently investing in Telugu content, and this horror thriller adds to their growing library of regional films.
The film’s A-certification from the Censor Board (with no cuts) makes it suitable for Zee5’s mature audience base. The platform’s reach across India and international markets will give the film exposure to audiences who may have missed its theatrical release.
Industry Impact and Future Prospects
Kishkindhapuri’s success represents a significant milestone for Srinivas Bellamkonda’s career trajectory. Known primarily for action films, this venture into horror demonstrates his versatility as an actor. The film’s performance could pave the way for more serious horror content in Telugu cinema.
Director Koushik Pegallapati’s handling of the material, following his acclaimed work in “Chaavu Kaburu Challaga,” establishes him as a filmmaker capable of handling diverse genres effectively. The film’s technical excellence, particularly in creating atmosphere without relying on excessive gore or cheap thrills, sets a new benchmark for horror filmmaking in the industry.
The movie’s performance in the OTT space will be crucial for determining the viability of mid-budget horror films in the digital streaming market. With horror content gaining popularity on streaming platforms, Kishkindhapuri’s success could encourage more filmmakers to explore the genre.
Anticipation for Digital Release
As the confirmed October 2025 release on Zee5 approaches, anticipation continues to build among horror enthusiasts and fans of quality Telugu cinema. The film’s unique premise, combined with strong performances and technical excellence, positions it as a must-watch addition to the horror genre.
For viewers who missed the theatrical experience, the upcoming OTT release provides an opportunity to witness what many are calling one of the most authentic horror experiences in recent Telugu cinema. The film’s success in both theatrical and digital formats could influence future horror productions in the industry.
The digital release will also allow international audiences access to this distinctly regional horror story, potentially expanding the film’s reach beyond traditional Telugu-speaking markets. As streaming platforms continue to bridge geographical boundaries, films like Kishkindhapuri demonstrate the universal appeal of well-crafted genre cinema.
FAQs
When is the confirmed Kishkindhapuri OTT release date?
Kishkindhapuri is confirmed to release on Zee5 in the second week of October 2025, approximately one month after its theatrical release on September 12, 2025.
Which OTT platform will stream Kishkindhapuri?
Zee5 has secured the digital streaming rights for Kishkindhapuri, while Zee Telugu has acquired the satellite television rights for the film.
What is Srinivas Bellamkonda’s role in Kishkindhapuri?
Srinivas Bellamkonda plays Raghav, a character who runs a ghost-walking tour business with his girlfriend Mythili, and the film showcases one of his strongest performances to date.
How much did Kishkindhapuri collect at the box office?
Kishkindhapuri collected ₹16.3 crore worldwide, with ₹11.7 crore net collection in India and ₹2.5 crore from overseas markets against a budget of ₹25 crore.
Who directed Kishkindhapuri and what is it about?
Directed by Koushik Pegallapati, Kishkindhapuri is a horror thriller about a couple who run ghost tours but encounter real supernatural forces when they visit an abandoned radio station called Suvarnamaya.