What are the OTT releases, this week? With so many releases across platforms, here are 2-3 picks that I think are worth checking out. Murmur, Shivamma Yarehanchinnala, and Paru Parvathy are my suggestions. Why I pick those; scroll down to read more.
Test (2024): Cricket, Choices, and Chaos
OTT Platform: Netflix
Director: S. Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, R. Madhavan, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine
Plot & Review Test (2024)
A cricketer struggles with his career while his life becomes complicated by money problems, family stress, and betrayal.
✅ The cricket scenes feel intense and engaging
❌ The story starts strong but gradually loses its charm, becoming confusing
❌ Unnecessary twists and slow pacing make the 145-minute runtime feel longer
My Opinion: Skip this. Even Nayanthara’s performance can’t save “Test” from becoming tedious and frustratingly long. You’re better off re-watching something else.
Murmur (2025): Tamil Cinema’s First Found-Footage Horror
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
Director: Hemnath Narayanan
Cast: Devraj, Richie Kapoor, Yuvikha Rajendran, Aria Selvaraj, Suganya Shanmugam
Plot & Review Murmur (2025)
Four YouTubers explore a haunted forest to uncover supernatural mysteries but soon face terrifying consequences.
✅ Technically brilliant with immersive sound design and realistic cinematography.
❌ Story pacing is uneven, sometimes dragging despite tense moments.
✅ Unique found-footage style feels authentic and adds genuine scares.
My Opinion: Give Murmur a watch for its fresh style and solid technical execution, especially if you’re a horror fan seeking something new in Tamil cinema.
Machante Malakha (2025): An Outdated Drama of Gender Stereotypes
OTT Platform: Manorama Max
Director: Boban Samuel
Cast: Soubin Shahir, Namitha Pramod, Shanthikrishna, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Dileesh Pothen
Plot & Review Machante Malakha (2025)
A bus conductor marries a regular passenger, but soon realises marriage isn’t what he expected.
❌ Soubin Shahir struggles to convincingly play the serious parts.
❌ Outdated filmmaking style and poor humour make the viewing uncomfortable.
My Opinion: Skip this one. Machante Malakha is frustratingly old-fashioned and reinforces negative stereotypes without any meaningful storytelling.
14 Days Girlfriend Intlo (2025): A Fun Lockdown Rom-Com
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
Director: Sriharsha Manne
Cast: Ankith Koyya, Shriya Kontham, Vennela Kishore, Indraja, Prashaant Sharma
Plot & Review 14 Days Girlfriend Intlo
A carefree guy secretly visiting his girlfriend’s house ends up trapped there for 14 days when her conservative parents unexpectedly return..
✅ Vennela Kishore provides some solid laughs with his comic timing.
❌ The story stays lighthearted but never moves beyond its basic premise.
❌ Predictable plot, lacking depth and emotional payoff.
My Opinion: Watch it only if you’re in the mood for a light cringe binge watch. Good for casual viewing, but unlikely to leave a lasting impression.
Kaafir (2025): A Powerful Journey of Justice and Humanity
OTT Platform: ZEE5
Director: Sonam Nair
Cast: Dia Mirza, Mohit Raina, Dishita Jain
Plot & Review Kaafir (2025)
Based on true events, Kaafir follows a Pakistani woman falsely imprisoned in India and the Indian journalist determined to free her.
✅ Dia Mirza gives a deeply emotional performance as Kainaaz Akhtar.
❌ Story effectively highlights themes of prejudice, resilience, and humanity.
✅ Powerful writing by Bhavani Iyer keeps the narrative engaging and heartfelt.
My Opinion: If you are too bored, watch Kaafir for its performances and moving storyline. It’s a more of a drama that stays relevant but not that impactful.
Paru Parvathy (2025): A Feel-Good Road Trip of Self-Discovery
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
Director: Rohit Keerti
Cast: Deepika Das, Poonam Sirnaik, Fawaz Ashraf
Plot & Review Paru Parvathy (2025)
A young vlogger and a neglected elderly woman bond on a life-changing road trip from Bengaluru to Uttarakhand.
✅ Beautiful cinematography captures scenic roads and landscapes effectively.
❌ The film drags initially and struggles with lip-sync and dialogue delivery issues.
❌ Attempts at deeper messaging feel overstretched and lack clarity.
My Opinion: Watch it if you’re patient enough for a slow start. Paru Parvathy has heartwarming moments and beautiful visuals but needed tighter editing and clearer storytelling.
Shivamma Yarehanchinnala (2025): A Spirited Tale of Ambition and Humour
OTT Platform: Sun NXT (Where to watch or streaming Shivamma Yarehanchinnala)
Director: Jaishankar Aryar
Cast: Sharanamma Chetti, Shivu Abbegere, Chennamma Abbegere, Shruthi Kondenahalli
Plot & Review Shivamma Yarehanchinnala (2025)
Shivamma, a spirited village woman, invests in a risky marketing scheme to escape poverty, leading to humorous yet heartfelt situations.
✅ Sharanamma Chetti is superb with her authentic and lovable performance.
❌ Story remains simple and character-driven, avoiding unnecessary complexities.
✅ Humorous dialogues and Shivamma’s charming confidence bring consistent laughs.
✅ Realistic portrayal of village life and the innocent dreams of ordinary people.
My Opinion: Definitely watch Shivamma Yarehanchinnala. Its warmth, humour, and strong lead performance make it an enjoyable, feel-good experience.
For more updates on movies and theatrical releases, click here.