Itele's 'Kesari' will no longer start streaming on Netflix this January

Yoruba epic Kesari produced by Ibrahim "Itele" Yekini won't start streaming on Netflix this January as earlier announced.

Earlier this month, news of the indigenous language movie transitioning to streaming platforms broke out, with January 28, 2024, scheduled as the starting date.

However, on Monday, January 22, 2024, What Kept Me Up disclosed that the release had been halted, and a new date would be announced. The absence of the Kesari poster on the Netflix newsroom, where expected movie dates are typically outlined, further confirmed this development.

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 the 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.

Ibrahim Yekini breaks a Nollywood record with Kesari. [Instagram/iteledicon01] Pulse Nigeria

However, a feature movie titled Dinner directed by Jay Franklyn Jituboh will commence streaming on Netflix on January 24, 2024.

The story follows Mike Okafor who receives an invitation from his childhood friend and close companion, Adetunde George Jnr, to join him and his fiancée, Lola Coker for dinner and a weekend together as they prepare for their upcoming wedding.

Mike goes along with his girlfriend, Diane Bassey, intending to propose during the visit. However, upon reaching Adetunde's house, the situation takes an unexpected turn as they uncover hidden truths about each other's relationships, with one individual at the centre of it all.

Dinner stars Deyemi Okanlawaon, Kehinde Bankole, Enyinna Nwigwe, Okey Uzoeshi, Keira Heywatch, Richard Mofe Damijo and Ireti Doyle.