Netflix picks up Tamil window

Netflix has secured the post-theatrical streaming rights to *Mandaadi*, the upcoming Tamil film led by Soori, according to a report published Tuesday. (cinema.dinamalar.com) The Dinamalar report said Netflix agreed to buy the film’s digital rights for about ₹25 crore after executives were shown footage from the project. The same report said the production has completed 95 days of shooting at sea, with another 30 to 40 days left. (cinema.dinamalar.com) Soori said on April 14, 2026, that *Mandaadi* is in its “final stage of shooting,” and distributor-linked coverage the same day described the film as targeting a summer 2026 release in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. (dtnext.in) *Mandaadi* is directed by Mathimaran Pugazhenthi and produced by Elred Kumar’s RS Infotainment, with Vetri Maaran credited as creative producer. The cast includes Sathyaraj, Mahima Nambiar, Suhas, Achyuth Kumar, Ravindra Vijay and Sachana Namidass. (thehindu.com) Mathimaran told *The Times of India* in April 2025 that the film is set in Ramanathapuram and centers on traditional sailboat racing. He said “mandaadi” refers to fishermen who guide crews because they understand wind and sea currents. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) That helps explain why a streaming deal like this can land early: the film is being sold as a regional tentpole with a distinct setting, a larger budget than Soori’s earlier lead vehicles, and a theatrical plan before streaming. Dinamalar described it as Soori’s costliest film as a lead actor, while DT Next said it is being positioned as a pan-Indian release. (cinema.dinamalar.com) (dtnext.in) Netflix has been expanding that playbook in South Indian cinema for more than a year. In January 2025, the company unveiled a South Indian slate built around films that would go to theaters first and then arrive on Netflix, with nine Tamil titles and nine Telugu titles in that lineup. (variety.com) Variety reported that South Indian films accounted for six of India’s top 10 box-office titles in 2024 and 45% of the market, giving streamers a commercial reason to keep buying regional theatrical output. Netflix content chief Monika Shergill said at the time that Tamil and Telugu films had become worldwide favorites on the service. (variety.com) For *Mandaadi*, the next step is still the same one the deal depends on: finishing the theatrical film. Soori’s latest update says that finish line is now in sight. (dtnext.in)