Are you waiting for the latest OTT releases this week? From the Rom-Com to Thrillers…the list is packed with a good number of thrillers, docu-series and romantic movies.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3: A Mischievous Emotional Rollercoaster
OTT Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Directed by: James Gunn
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Chukwudi Iwuji, Linda Cardellini, Will Poulter
In Brief: Guardians of the Galaxy
The final instalment in the Guardians of the Galaxy series, Vol 3, focuses on Rocket’s traumatic backstory, featuring the High Evolutionary’s experiments. Rocket’s escape and separation from his soulmate Lylla, the otter, lead to a thrilling adventure filled with mischief, humour, and heart.
A big-hearted film that balances an overstuffed storyline with classic GOTG trademarks. James Gunn’s touch with unexpected dark themes keeps the series’ irreverent swagger while delivering emotional punches.
Dhoomam: An Unimpactful Thriller Fogged by its Message
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Directed by: Pawan Kumar
Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Roshan Mathew, Aparna Balamurali, Vineeth
In Brief: Dhoomam
In Dhoomam, Fahadh Faasil plays the marketing head of a major tobacco firm caught in a hostage situation with his wife. The non-linear narrative switches between the attempts to escape and Avinash’s rise within the company. The film also delves into the corporate world of tobacco, showcasing the methods used to convince new users and lobby with the government.
Detailed review of Dhoomam here
Rangabali: A Scattered Attempt at Hero Worship
OTT Platform: Netflix
Directed by: Pawan Basamsetty
Cast: Naga Shaurya, Yukti Thareja, Tom Chacko, Satya
Music: Pawan CH
In Brief: Rangabali
Rangabali tells the story of Shaurya, a man whose strength and identity are rooted in his hometown, Ramavaram. He falls in love, faces conflicts, and must change the identity of a significant place in his town. The film follows Shaurya’s journey from a small-town guy with dreams of heroism to his struggle with politics and identity.
Rangabali attempts to celebrate unabashed hero worship but ends up feeling like a collection of random ideas with superficial execution.
Naga Shaurya’s portrayal of the protagonist is unconvincing, with elements like his white shirt fetish and action sequences failing to evoke interest. The lack of depth in the storyline, masked by humor and mass masala, leaves much to be desired.
However, moments of occasional humour thanks to supporting actors Satya and Rajkumar provide some relief.
Rangabali’s promotional spoof interviews, in which Satya mimics media personalities, ironically offer more innovation and entertainment than the film itself.
Soulcatcher: A Clichéd Disappointment Bereft of Originality
OTT Platform: Netflix
Directed by: Daniel Markowicz
Cast: Piotr Witkowski, Jacek Koman, Jacek Poniedziałek
In Brief: Soulcatcher
Soulcatcher takes place in a not-so-distant future where a weapon named the Soulcatcher can transform ordinary people into savage killers. The plot revolves around a military contractor who is assigned to retrieve this device but faces a dilemma when his brother falls victim to it. This Polish action thriller endeavors to be a gripping tale but ends up awash with clichés.
The film sets itself up with a blockbuster script, yet its modest budget fails to match its grand aspirations. It falls short in terms of visuals, fight scenes, and character development, leaving much to be desired.
Although it boasts a conceptually interesting weapon and a promising plotline involving political corruption and scientific brilliance, the execution lacks originality and conviction.
Santhosham: A Feel-Good Attempt That Falls Short on Conflict
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime
Directed by: Ajith V Thomas
Cast: Anu Sithara, Amith Chakalakkal, Kalabhavan Shajohn, Mallika Sukumaran
In Brief: Santhosham
Santhosham revolves around the family of Suresh Kumar, focusing on his two daughters, Aadhya and Akshara. The narrative explores their dynamic relationship, especially as Aadhya’s marriage is fixed. The film attempts to delve into the sharp mood swings of children, a theme often overlooked in Malayalam cinema, but ends up delivering a conflict-free and simplistic narrative that fails to blend family bonding with a central idea.
The music by PS Jayahari adds charm, but misplaced songs hinder the overall experience.
Despite its aim to spread positivity, Santhosham’s underdeveloped script neglects to build a solid conflict, resulting in a film that focuses on optimism but lacks depth and engagement.
Exclusive OTT Releases This Week
Choona: An Unlikely Heist with a Humorous Twist
OTT Platform: Netflix
Directed by: Pushpendra Nath Misra
Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Arshad Warsi, Vikram Kochhar, Namit Das, Chandan Roy, Gyanendra Tripathi, Monika Panwar, Niharika Lyra Dutt
Plot Synopsis:
When a group of misfits finds themselves up against a common enemy—a ruthless yet superstitious politician—they plan a heist as their method of revenge. The series combines elements of comedy and drama, promising a unique take on the heist genre. Choona aims to deliver an engaging story of retribution.
Dayaa: A Chilling Discovery and a Tumultuous Journey
OTT Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Directed by: Pavan Sadineni
Cast: JD Chakravarthy, Eesha Rebba, Remya Nambeesan, Prudhvi Raj, Kamal Kamaraju, Josh Ravi
Plot Synopsis:
Dayaa, a Telugu remake of the popular Bengali series Taqdeer, revolves around the life of a freezer van driver whose routine existence is shattered when he finds a lifeless body in his van. The discovery sets off a chain of events that embroils him and his best friend in increasingly complex challenges. As a new addition to Telugu-language content, Dayaa represents a thrilling foray into a new market for the renowned Bengali production house, SVF.
The Hunt for Veerappan: Unveiling the Dreaded Bandit’s Saga
OTT Platform: Netflix
Directed by: Selvamani Selvaraj
Composer: Jhanu
Genre: True crime docuseries
Plot Synopsis:
The Hunt for Veerappan is a gripping four-part docuseries set to explore the untold and unheard stories of the feared Indian bandit turned domestic terrorist, Veerappan. Beginning as a poacher, Veerappan ruled the jungles of South India, becoming the subject of India’s largest manhunt. Through detailed examination and intense storytelling, this series will delve into the complex web of Veerappan’s life and the forces that sought to capture him. The Hunt for Veerappan promises to unravel the mystery and mythology surrounding one of India’s most enigmatic criminal figures.
Nagumome Chaalu Le: A heartbroken and wide-eyed decided to explore the city
OTT Platform: Aha
Directed by: N Balaji
Cast: Saketh Valluri & Sindhuja Turlapati