Internet fumes as Premalu removed from OTT ahead of Hindi remake Prem Keetanu’s release: ‘Really absurd’

Hindi Remake "Prem Keetanu" Trailer Divides Fans, Original "Premalu" Vanishes From OTT

Mumbai, India – The highly anticipated trailer for "Prem Keetanu," the Hindi remake of the Malayalam romantic comedy sensation "Premalu," has been met with a lukewarm reception, sparking a wave of criticism and frustration among fans. The discontent was further fueled by the discovery that the original "Premalu" has been removed from streaming platforms, a move many believe is a strategic effort to pave the way for the Hindi adaptation.

The one-minute trailer for "Prem Keetanu," released on Monday, immediately became the subject of online discussion. Directed by Apoorv Singh Karki, the film features Veer Pahariya, Aafiya Sayed, Aparshakti Khurana, Rakesh Bedi, and Nikhil Vijay. While it broadly follows the narrative beats of its Malayalam predecessor, a notable deviation sees the protagonists meeting in college rather than later in life. Scheduled for a theatrical release on October 2nd, the initial glimpse has left many viewers questioning its connection to the beloved original.

One YouTube user, commenting on the "Prem Keetanu" trailer, sarcastically remarked, "People are saying this is not a premalu remake. But this is official remake of premalu (but they killed the original movie) so even the premalu fans doesn’t know it’s a premalu remake." The stark difference in tone and presentation led several others to express doubt about the film’s marketing as an official remake of "Premalu."

However, the bigger storm brewed when fans realized that "Premalu," which was previously available on JioHotstar in Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi, had been unceremoniously removed from the platform. This development intensified the backlash, with many taking to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to vent their anger.

"But removing the original version from the OTT platform for this reason is absolute nonsense. #Premalu," an X user lamented. While the Telugu dubbed version of "Premalu" remains accessible on Aha, the absence of the original on JioHotstar has been widely condemned.

"Why for this you have to remove premalu from ott?" questioned another fan, highlighting the perceived unfairness. Another X user expressed skepticism about the remake’s prospects, stating, "Premalu will not work in hindi anyway. Why this circus of removing the original from OTT and all as if that’s going to save them?" The sentiment was echoed by a frustrated fan who demanded, "Premalu has been removed from Hotstar. @BhavanaStudios get the film back to some other OTT platform ASAP pls." A concise summary of the prevailing frustration came from a fan who declared, "Removing #Premalu from the official streaming service is really absurd. No remake can match even 1% of what #Premalu achieved."

"Premalu," the 2024 romantic comedy, captivated audiences with its fresh narrative and endearing characters. Directed by Girish AD and produced by Bhavana Studios, Fahadh Faasil and Friends, and Working Class Hero, the film starred Naslen and Mamitha Baiju, alongside Sangeeth Prathap, Akhila Bhargavan, Shyam Mohan, Meenakshi Raveendran, Mathew Thomas, and Althaf Salim. It told the charming story of young Malayalis who navigate the complexities of friendship and love after relocating to Hyderabad for work. A sequel to "Premalu" had been announced but is currently delayed.

The unfolding controversy surrounding "Prem Keetanu" and the removal of Premalu from OTT highlights the strong emotional connection audiences have with original content and the challenges faced by filmmakers in adapting successful regional hits for a wider audience. It remains to be seen how "Prem Keetanu" will fare upon its release and if the current backlash will impact its box office performance.