What are the OTT releases, on this Friday (Nov 1, 2024)? With so many releases across platforms, here are 3 picks that I think are worth checking out. Lubber Pandhu, Agathokakological & Sattam En Kayil: are my suggestions. Why I pick those; scroll down to read more.
Lubber Pandhu: A Fresh Take on Cricket and Rivalries
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Director: Tamizharasan Pachamuthu
Cast: Harish Kalyan, Attakathi Dinesh, Sanjana Krishnamoorthy, Swasika
Plot Synopsis
Lubber Pandhu dives into the world of rubber-ball cricket in small-town Tamil Nadu, where Anbu (Harish Kalyan), a talented bowler, meets Gethu (Attakathi Dinesh), a highly respected batsman. Their rivalry on the field quickly extends into personal life when Anbu’s relationship with Gethu’s daughter, Durga (Sanjana Krishnamoorthy), is revealed. The film explores the ego-fueled rivalry between Anbu and Gethu, both players who are passionate about cricket and loyal to their friends and family.
As the story unfolds, we see how their conflicts also bring in themes of caste and family struggles. Interestingly, the women, including Gethu’s wife Yashoda (Swasika), emerge as the voices of reason, balancing the impulsive nature of their male counterparts.
Highlights
❤️ The film brings a fresh look at caste issues, weaving them into the story in a subtle yet powerful way.
❤️ The cricket scenes are exciting and feel authentic, with details like star-player songs and quirky cricket rituals adding charm.
❌ Some parts, like a forced empowerment angle, feel a bit out of place.
Lubber Pandhu is a feel-good sports drama with a unique twist, blending family rivalry, romance, and cricket. If you love sports films with heart, stream it on Disney+ Hotstar now!
Agathokakological: A Crime Thriller with Mixed Results
Platform: Manorama Max
Director: Venkatesh CD
Cast: Leona Lishoy, Prashant Murali, Maqbool Salman, Vasudevan Unni
Plot Synopsis: Agathokakological
Agathokakological tells the story of Nisha (Leona Lishoy), an architect who lives peacefully with her husband Vineeth (Prashant Murali) and son. Her life takes a dark turn when she receives a threatening call from a stranger who knows a hidden secret from her past. As she starts seeing the blackmailer around, Nisha’s husband decides to report the case to the police, leading Sub Inspector Ajith (Maqbool Salman) to take on the investigation. With each twist, secrets from Nisha’s past and present come to light, connecting the pieces of a dark mystery.
Highlights: Agathokakological
❤️ Leona Lishoy shines in her role, delivering a powerful performance that adds depth to her character’s journey.
❤️ Maqbool Salman impresses as the intense, dedicated cop, adding strength to the film’s emotional undertone.
❌ The story becomes predictable, with twists that lack suspense, leaving thriller fans wanting more.
❌ Weak direction and sluggish pacing reduce the movie’s impact, making some scenes feel unnecessarily stretched.
Viswam: An Outdated Attempt at Action and Comedy
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Sreenu Vaitla
Cast: Gopichand, Kavya Thapar, Jishu Sengupta, Sunil, Vennela Kishore
Plot Synopsis: Viswam
Viswam follows Gopi (Gopichand), a fierce and loyal man determined to defend his father’s name, who soon finds himself caught up in a web of terrorism, political schemes, and random comedy. The film starts with a terrorist threat but quickly shifts gears, introducing a flood of subplots involving political corruption, romantic tropes, and slapstick humour. Meanwhile, Gopi forms a romantic connection with Samaira (Kavya Thapar), a stylist with dubious motives who eventually turns good after he saves her.
Amidst the chaos, the terror threat resurfaces only occasionally, adding confusion rather than suspense. The film tries to balance humour, action, and emotion, but the blend falls short, feeling scattered and outdated.
Highlights: Viswam
❤️ Vennela Kishore shines in parts with his comic timing, despite limited support from the script.
❌ Overloaded with subplots, the narrative becomes tedious and difficult to follow.
❌ Predictable character arcs and dated tropes make the movie feel stretched and redundant.
Viswam tries to deliver an entertaining mix but fails to keep the viewer engaged with its meandering storyline and worn-out humour. For those who prefer something fresh, it might be best to skip this one. Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Yudhra: No Thrills, Only Kills
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Ravi Udyawar
Cast: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Malavika Mohanan, Gajraj Rao, Ram Kapoor, Raghav Juyal
Plot Synopsis: Yudhra
Yudhra follows a young, battle-ready hero (Siddhant Chaturvedi), shaped by violence from birth. Raised without parents, he grows up fighting anger issues and is trained by his father’s allies, Kartik (Gajraj Rao) and Rahman (Ram Kapoor), to complete his father’s mission. Alongside Rahman’s daughter, Nikhat (Malavika Mohanan), Yudhra sets out to infiltrate a drug cartel led by the ruthless Firoz (Raj Arjun) and his erratic son (Raghav Juyal).
As secrets emerge, Yudhra’s battle intensifies, but the emotional connections fail to resonate.
Highlights: Yudhra
❤️ Siddhant Chaturvedi impresses with his intense performance, bringing both physicality and style to his role.
❌ The story relies heavily on predictable action scenes, lacking suspense and depth.
❌ The romance and emotional elements feel shallow, reducing the impact of the characters’ journey.
Yudhra is a stylish actioner with potential but falls short on emotional depth and originality. If you’re in the mood for action without expecting too much plot, it’s streaming now on Amazon Prime Video (Rent).
Sattam En Kayil: A One-Night Thriller with Unbelievable Twists
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Director: Chachhi
Cast: Sathish, Pavel Navageethan, Ajay Raj, Venba, Vidya Pradeep
Plot Synopsis: Sattam En Kayil
In Sattam En Kayil, a suspenseful thriller unfolds over a single foggy night in Yercaud. Gowtham (Sathish), a timid man with a stammer, accidentally kills a motorcyclist and hides the body in his car trunk. When he gets stopped at a police checkpoint, he pretends to be drunk to avoid suspicion.
Things spiral out of control as Gowtham is taken into custody, only to discover that the motorcyclist was already a wanted man. Now he must navigate between two power-hungry cops, Inspector Basha (Pavel Navageethan) and Nagaraj (Ajay Raj), to keep his deadly secret under wraps.
Highlights: Sattam En Kayil
❤️ Sathish impresses as Gowtham, portraying nervousness and gradual confidence with skill.
❤️ Pavel Navageethan and Ajay Raj’s characters bring depth with their intense rivalry, adding excitement to the narrative.
❌ The first half feels slow and somewhat scattered, though the film gains pace in the second half.
❌ Logical flaws, like questionable decisions by Gowtham, weaken the plot’s believability.
In Sattam En Kayil, a strong second half with unexpected twists makes up for a slow start and some predictable elements. If you’re up for a suspense-filled ride, give it a watch on Amazon Prime Video!
The most entertaining theatre release this week: Read Lucky Baskhar review here
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