Amazon Prime Video Shelves ₹120 Cr ‘Gulkanda Tales’; Raj & DK’s Projects Face Scrutiny

Ziya Khan February 18, 2025Last Updated: February 18, 2025

Filmmakers Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. have become prominent names in India’s OTT landscape, delivering some of the most talked-about web series in recent years. Their breakthrough came with The Family Man (2019), starring Manoj Bajpayee, which became an instant hit on Prime Video and was followed by a well-received second season. In 2023, they continued their streak with Farzi, marking Shahid Kapoor’s OTT debut on Prime Video, and Guns & Gulaabs for Netflix, starring Dulquer Salmaan and Rajkummar Rao, which garnered mixed reactions.

In 2024, Raj & DK took on their most ambitious project yet: Citadel: Honey Bunny, an Indian spy thriller backed by the Russo Brothers. Starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the show was part of the global Citadel franchise alongside versions from the U.S. and Italy. Despite heavy promotion and high expectations, the series received a poor response, with industry sources hinting at no plans for renewal due to high production costs and underwhelming output.

Adding to their challenges, reports of financial fraud have surfaced regarding their upcoming Netflix series, Rakt Bramhand, starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Ali Fazal, and Wamiqa Gabbi. Alleged accounting irregularities involving Rs 2 crore and mishandling of funds by an executive producer have led Netflix to launch an internal and external investigation. The series was expected to be part of Netflix’s major slate announcement but was conspicuously absent, raising further questions.Another setback is their period sex-comedy Gulkanda Tales for Prime Video, starring Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, and Kunal Kemmu. Directed by Tumbbad’s Rahi Anil Barve, the series reportedly faced multiple re-shoots and edits due to Prime Video’s feedback, pushing its budget to a staggering Rs 120 crore.

Despite being fully shot, insiders suggest the series may not release anytime soon due to its controversial content and the OTT platform’s dissatisfaction. Once riding high on consistent successes, Raj & DK now find themselves navigating a series of setbacks, leaving their fans and the industry wondering about the future of their ambitious projects.