Animal OTT Release Date: Netflix has announced the release of an extended cut of the highly anticipated Bollywood movie “Animal,” featuring the talented Ranbir Kapoor. The decision comes on the heels of a resolved legal dispute between co-producers CINE 1 Studios Private Limited and T-Series, paving the way for the film’s Over-The-Top (OTT) release.
The legal tussle between CINE 1 Studios and T-Series involved allegations of contractual breaches, leading to a delay in the OTT launch. CINE 1 Studios claimed that T-Series, also known as Super Cassettes Industries Private Limited, violated the terms of their agreement, which outlined equal ownership and specific rights. The dispute encompassed issues such as unauthorized movie releases, expenditures on production and promotion, and a lack of consultation.
The breakthrough in this legal saga occurred on January 22 when both parties reached a settlement. Senior advocates representing CINE 1 Studios and T-Series confirmed the resolution and pledged to present the agreement to the Delhi High Court. Justice Sanjeev Narula acknowledged this development, and the case is slated for revisitation on January 24.
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CINE 1 Studios had also accused T-Series of financial misconduct, alleging the withholding of revenue and non-disclosure of production costs. Additionally, they raised concerns about T-Series failing to consult on various aspects, including promotional activities, pre-teaser and trailer releases, credit acknowledgments, censor certification, and marketing strategies.
In response, T-Series defended itself against these allegations. Their lawyer, Amit Sibal, accused CINE 1 of concealing a critical document, supposedly showing CINE 1 relinquishing film rights for ₹2.2 crore. However, CINE 1’s advocate, Sandeep Sethi, countered this claim, labeling the document as forged.
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Adding to the intrigue, Netflix will be streaming an extended cut of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s “Animal.” The director, in a previous interview, expressed regret for trimming around 8-10 minutes of the movie during its theatrical release. Sandeep Reddy Vanga mentioned re-editing the film specifically for Netflix. With the legal disputes resolved, it appears that the initially excised scenes will find their place in the OTT version.
Notably, before the theatrical release, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had reportedly requested the removal of close-up shots depicting intimate scenes between Ranbir Kapoor and Tripti Dimri’s characters. The Netflix version, being independent of CBFC certification, opens the door to an intriguing exploration of the movie’s narrative. “Animal” is set to start streaming on Netflix from January 26, promising audiences an extended and enriched cinematic experience.