What are the OTT releases this week? With so many releases across platforms, unfortunately, I couldn’t find any great options for you this week, since all releases are mediocre; if you have time, try The Mehta Boys or Mrs. Why I pick that; scroll down to read more.
Mrs. (2024): A Powerful Tale of Silent Struggles
Platform: ZEE5
Director: Arati Kadav
Cast: Sanya Malhotra, Nishant Dahiya, Kanwaljit Singh
Plot & Review: Mrs. (2024)
Richa (Sanya Malhotra), a vibrant young woman, enters an arranged marriage expecting love and companionship. But she soon finds herself trapped in a suffocating routine of a toxic patriarchal system and emotional neglect.
❤️ Sanya Malhotra’s stellar performance—she carries the film with quiet strength.
❤️ Brilliant use of food as a metaphor, showing Richa’s gradual emotional exhaustion.
❌ Some moments feel too on-the-nose, reducing the impact of subtler themes.
❌ The male characters, though well-acted, remain one-dimensional in their toxicity.
My Opinion: Mrs. is a hard-hitting, must watch film that holds a mirror to the silent struggles of countless women. While it may not add much new to The Great Indian Kitchen’s narrative, Sanya Malhotra’s performance and the film’s emotional weight make it worth watching. A must-watch if you appreciate films that challenge societal norms.
Game Changer (2024): A Political Thriller With Instant Highs, But No Lasting Impact
Platform: Amazon Prime
Director: S. Shankar
Cast: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, SJ Suryah, Anjali
Plot & Review: Game Changer (2024)
Ram Nandan (Ram Charan), a principled IAS officer, takes on a ruthless politician, Bobbili Mopidevi (SJ Suryah), in a battle for power and governance. The film blends past and present political drama, tackling themes of corruption and electoral reforms, but prioritises style over substance.
❤️ Ram Charan’s powerful double role, especially his emotional portrayal of Appanna.
❤️ SJ Suryah’s scene-stealing performance adds energy to the film.
❌ The story feels rushed and choppy, lacking emotional depth.
❌ Supporting characters, including Kiara Advani, are underutilised.
❌ The climax drags with an over-the-top action sequence, diminishing its impact.
My Opinion: Game Changer delivers instant gratification with stylish action and a weak political drama but lacks the depth and emotional connection. Watch it for the style, but don’t expect a game-changing experience.
Daaku Maharaaj (2024): A Stylish Action Drama With a Weak Core
Platform: Netflix (Feb 9)
Director: Bobby Kolli
Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Shraddha Srinath, Bobby Deol, Pragya Jaiswal
Plot & Review: Daaku Maharaaj (2024)
When a young girl in a hill station is threatened by local gangsters, a mysterious dacoit, Maharaaj (Balakrishna), steps in under the guise of a driver. As his violent past reveals, the film attempts to mix action, hero worship, and social drama, but struggles to keep the narrative engaging.
❤️ Stylish cinematography and action sequences keep the film visually engaging.
❌ A weak villain (Bobby Deol) fails to create tension.
❌ Unnecessary subplots and underdeveloped characters dilute the impact.
❌ Forced comedy and romance feel outdated and disrupt the pacing.
My Opinion: Daaku Maharaaj delivers slick action and striking visuals, but lacks a solid emotional and narrative core. While Balakrishna and Shraddha Srinath elevate the film, the underwhelming antagonist and stretched screenplay hold it back. Watch it for high-octane action, but expect a headache if you are not used to Balayya tortures.
Madraskaaran (2024): A Predictable Action Drama That Wastes Its Potential
Platform: Aha
Director: Vaali Mohan Das
Cast: Shane Nigam, Kalaiyarasan, Niharika Konidela, Aishwarya Dutta
Plot & Review: Madraskaaran (2024)
Sathya (Shane Nigam), a Chennai native, returns to his hometown for his wedding, but a reckless car accident turns his life upside down. A fender-bender with Durai Singam (Kalaiyarasan) escalates into an ego-fueled clash, leading to tragic consequences that force Sathya to uncover the truth behind the accident.
❤️ Kalaiyarasan delivers a strong performance, though the script lets him down.
❤️ Some intense moments in the second half provide mild engagement.
❌ Weak writing choices make key moments predictable and unconvincing.
❌ Female characters are sidelined, despite being crucial to the plot.
❌ The film rushes into unnecessary twists, diluting the emotional impact.
❌ Songs and stretched-out flashbacks disrupt the pacing.
My Opinion: Madraskaaran starts with a promising setup but quickly turns into a formulaic action drama with forced twists and underwhelming execution. Shane Nigam and Kalaiyarasan do their best, but the predictable writing and lack of emotional depth make this a forgettable watch. Skip it unless you’re a fan of ego-driven action thrillers.
The Mehta Boys: A Heartfelt Father-Son Drama with Global Appeal
Platform: Prime Video
Director: Boman Irani
Cast: Boman Irani, Avinash Tiwary, Shreya Chaudhry
Plot & Expectations
The Mehta Boys follows Amay (Avinash Tiwary), a young architect grappling with the loss of his mother while trying to balance his career and relationship with his girlfriend, Zara (Shreya Chaudhry). His already complicated life takes an unexpected turn when his father, Mehta (Boman Irani), is forced to stay with him for an extended period.
❤️ Boman Irani’s Directorial Debut – The veteran actor steps behind the camera for the first time, bringing years of storytelling experience to craft an intimate, emotional, and universally relatable narrative.
❤️ An International Screenplay Touch – Co-written by Academy Award winner Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman)
Final Thoughts: The Mehta Boys promises to be an emotionally rewarding and explore relationships with a mix of humour, heart, and realism.
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