By ‘Agent’ OTT Premiere: Streaming Date and Platform Details for Akhil Akkineni – Mammootty Starrer
The long-awaited OTT release of Agent, starring Akhil Akkineni, is finally set to happen. After months of speculation and delays, Sony LIV has officially acquired the streaming rights, bringing an end to the uncertainty surrounding the film’s digital debut. To mark the announcement, the platform has released a brand-new poster, confirming that Agent will begin streaming on March 14.
What makes this release particularly noteworthy is the extended delay between the film’s theatrical debut and its arrival on digital platforms. Originally released in April 2023, Agent was expected to be a major box-office success. However, despite the high expectations and considerable hype, the action thriller failed to make a significant impact. Due to its underwhelming performance at the box office, the film’s journey to an OTT platform was further complicated by legal and financial hurdles.
Reports suggest that the prolonged delay in Agent‘s digital release was largely due to financial disputes between the film’s producer, Anil Sunkara, and distributor Battula Satyanarayana. The conflict escalated when Satyanarayana accused Sunkara of financial mismanagement, leading to a legal battle that ultimately delayed the film’s streaming debut. The court placed a hold on the film’s online release, further extending the already lengthy wait for its digital premiere.
According to Asianet News, Agent managed to earn only Rs 13.4 crore, a disappointing figure given the film’s high production costs and expectations. The action-packed thriller also received heavy criticism from both critics and audiences. One of the most trolled aspects of the film was Mammootty’s climactic gunfight sequence, which many viewers noted was reminiscent of Kamal Haasan’s Vikram. Despite the presence of the Malayalam superstar, Agent was deemed one of his less impressive outings, with his role failing to leave a lasting impact.
Reviews for Agent were largely unfavorable, with leading entertainment portals giving it lackluster ratings. ETimes awarded the film just two stars, with their official review stating, “And that’s a shame because Akhil has the time of his life playing Rikki, and it shows on screen. Whether he’s flexing his six-pack, grinning maniacally, or dancing his way through an action sequence (you read that right), he seems to enjoy it all. Even if he goes overboard at times, he essays the character fairly well.”
The review further noted that while Sakshi Vaidya looked adorable and performed decently, her character was underutilized. Meanwhile, Mammootty’s role, though effortless, lacked depth, and Dino Morea’s antagonist failed to bring the necessary intensity to the film. Other supporting characters, including Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s role, were criticized for being inconsequential to the overall plot.
Despite the film’s mixed reception, Akhil Akkineni’s dedication to his role was evident, and fans of the actor may still find aspects of his performance entertaining. While the film’s action sequences and visual style had the potential to be compelling, they were overshadowed by an incoherent screenplay and lackluster execution.
With Agent finally set to stream on Sony LIV, audiences who missed its theatrical run will now have the chance to watch and judge the film for themselves. Whether the OTT release will change its fate or introduce it to a new audience remains to be seen. However, given its history of delays, controversies, and criticism, Agent‘s digital premiere is undoubtedly one of the more talked-about releases in recent times.
As the film gears up for its streaming debut, it serves as a reminder of how unpredictable the film industry can be. Even with high expectations, big-budget productions, and star power, success is never guaranteed. Whether Agent will find redemption on OTT or continue to face criticism, one thing is certain—the film’s journey from cinemas to digital platforms has been nothing short of dramatic.
