Kartik Aaryan’s Naagzilla and Sidharth Malhotra’s Vvan Lock Post-Theatrical Streaming Partner With Prime Video India

The massive It Starts Here event in Mumbai today just sent shockwaves through the industry. Prime Video has officially snatched up the digital rights for two of the most anticipated films of 2026. If you were wondering where to watch Kartik Aaryan as a shape-shifting snake or Sidharth Malhotra battling forest spirits, the answer is finally here.

Amazon Prime Video is now the official post-theatrical home for both Naagzilla and Vvan: Force of the Forest. This isn’t just a regular deal. It is a calculated move to dominate the Indian fantasy-horror space before these films even hit the big screen.

The Snakes and The Spirits: A New Digital Empire

Listen, the vibe in Mumbai today was electric. Producers are no longer waiting for box office results to secure their digital safety nets.

Naagzilla, which wrapped its final Mumbai schedule just days ago on March 16, is already one of the most talked-about projects in Kartik Aaryan’s career.

According to Bollywood Hungama, the film is now entering a heavy VFX phase to bring the Ichhadhaari world to life. Kartik plays a character named Preyamvadeshwar Pyare Chand. It sounds fun, right? But the stakes are high because he is protecting a sacred naagmani from a greedy villain played by the legendary Ravi Kishan.

While Kartik deals with snake lore, Sidharth Malhotra is heading into the deep, dark woods. His film Vvan is a collaboration between Balaji Telefilms and the geniuses at TVF.

We usually associate TVF with grounded stories like Panchayat, but here they are going full-scale mythological thriller. The story follows an urban man who ignores his village’s forest rules and accidentally wakes up a divine force. It stars Tamannaah Bhatia and Sara Ali Khan alongside Sidharth. This movie is scheduled to hit theatres on May 15, 2026, making it one of the first big summer blockbusters of the year.

The Shift Toward Folklore and Fantasy

There is a reason why streaming giants are fighting over these specific titles. We are seeing a massive trend where “Desi” roots meet high-budget visual effects.

Prime Video is clearly building a library that focuses on Indian mythology and creature-based storytelling. It is a smart bet. Audiences are tired of the same old action remakes. They want something that feels local yet looks global.

The industry is currently obsessed with the “Creature-verse” and folk-horror. By locking these films early, Prime Video is ensuring that they own the conversation when these movies eventually leave the theaters. For Kartik, this is a chance to prove he can lead a VFX-heavy franchise. For Sidharth, it is a pivot into a darker, more intense genre that we haven’t seen him explore fully yet.

The production of Naagzilla was intense. The crew traveled from the busy streets of Mumbai to iconic spots in Delhi to finish the shoot on a tight schedule. Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, the director, is now focused entirely on the post-production. They want the snake transformations to look perfect because the audience’s expectations for fantasy are higher than ever in 2026. If the VFX fails, the movie fails, no matter how much star power Kartik brings to the table.

The Reality Check: Is The Big Screen Enough?

Think about this: why are producers announcing OTT partners months before the first trailer even drops? It feels like the industry is scared of the box office. By selling the rights to Prime Video early, Karan Johar and Ekta Kapoor are essentially de-risking their massive investments.

Is the theatrical experience becoming just a long advertisement for the eventual OTT release? It is a tough question to answer, but the trend is undeniable. We are watching a world where the “digital window” is just as valuable, if not more, than the opening weekend collection.

The evidence is in the numbers and the timing. Naagzilla is set for an August 14, 2026, release, clashing with other big titles during the Independence Day weekend. Vvan has its own space in May. By securing these deals now, the platforms are essentially voting for the stars. They are saying, we trust Kartik and Sidharth to bring the numbers, regardless of the reviews.

As we look forward, the next big milestone will be the first look teasers. For Naagzilla, fans are desperate to see Kartik’s full transformation. For Vvan, the curiosity lies in how TVF’s realistic storytelling will blend with Balaji’s grand scale. One thing is for sure: the battle for 2026 is being fought in the boardrooms of streaming giants just as much as in the cinema halls.

This is a win-win for everyone except maybe the competing streaming apps.

For fans, it’s great news because we know exactly where these films will land.

For the stars, it’s a massive confidence boost. Kartik Aaryan is proving he is the king of the “New Age” commercial cinema, while Sidharth is wisely picking unique, concept-driven films like Vvan.

I think the fantasy-horror genre is going to be the biggest money-maker this decade.

If Naagzilla hits the mark with its VFX, it could start a whole new franchise for Dharma. Keep an eye on the Vvan trailer—that’s the one that might surprise everyone with its grounded intensity.

Gulshan Mishra – Journalist

Question For You: Are you more excited to see Kartik Aaryan as a shape-shifting snake or Sidharth Malhotra in a mystical forest thriller? Let me know in the comments!