OTT Viewership Numbers: Chhaava vs Court – A Surprising Comparison

In today’s entertainment landscape, comparisons go beyond box office collections, with OTT viewership now playing a major role. Interestingly, some results have been unexpected. On April 14th, both Chhaava and Court premiered on Netflix. Despite vast differences in budget, cast, and content, both films have drawn significant attention. While Chhaava, a pan-India blockbuster, amassed 5.9 million views in its first weekend, Court isn’t far behind, pulling in an impressive 5.4 million views, making it a strong contender. If the trend continues, it wouldn’t be surprising if Court eventually overtakes Chhaava.

Both films are available in multiple languages, but the surprising factor lies in the streaming performance. While Chhaava was expected to dominate given its massive theatrical success, its relatively lower streaming numbers have raised eyebrows. The reason? Chhaava hit OTT nearly 50 days after its theatrical release, by which time a large portion of the audience had already watched leaked HD prints. In contrast, Court made its OTT debut just 28 days after hitting theaters, attracting viewers who hadn’t yet caught it in cinemas.

This trend highlights why OTT platforms are increasingly pushing for shorter theatrical-to-digital windows, even offering higher prices for such deals. As for Court, its OTT response has been overwhelmingly positive, further boosting Nani’s brand value as a producer. Netflix, in particular, has shown keen interest in acquiring Nani’s projects, further solidifying his growing influence. This association, which began with Dasara, has now extended to Hi Nanna, Saripodhaa Sanivaaram, and is continuing with Hit 3: The Third Case.