Yoruba epic title: ‘Kesari’ on Netflix
This month, Netflix will begin to stream Ibrahim “Itele” Yekini’s epic film Kesari, which is set in an indigenous tongue.
Today, Film One Entertainment revealed on Instagram that the Yoruba-language film, which came out of theaters at the end of last year, will be available for streaming on January 28, 2024, with Merry Men 3, Dinner, and Adire.
The decision highlights how, even after these films have been popular at the box office, streaming continues to provide a fresh avenue for producers to make additional money. It also follows Netflix’s recent strategy of distributing even its original content in theaters before incorporating it into its algorithms. Movies like Good Grief were initially shown in cinemas.
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Kesari started as a three-part YouTube series and then moved on to Nigerian cinemas on August 25, 2023. It was praised for being one of the first Yoruba noirs to make the dynamic switch to the big screens, joining the likes of Agesinkole and Orisa which helped establish Indigenous titles as viable content for cinemas.
The action thriller tells the story of a tough robber armed with charms who meets his match when he is chased down by an efficient policeman. The movie rounded up its 11-week cinematic run with a cumulative gross of ₦78,106,925, making it the second highest-grossing Nigerian epic title for 2023.
Produced and directed by Yekini, it features Mr Macaroni, Deyemi Okolanwon, Femi Adebayo Salami, Ibrahim Lateef, Odunlade Adekola, Deyemi Okanlawon, and Yvonne Jegede.
Watch the trailer here
The movie exited Nigerian cinemas late last year.