Tag: Movies

OTT and Theatre Releases this week: Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, Madgaon Express, and more

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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It’s time for the weekend binge! Several films and shows are lined up for the release this week across several OTT platforms and theatres. Seizing the opportunity, we have brought you a weekly roundup containing something for every cinema enthusiast. From Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan’s much-awaited Zara Hatke Zara Bachke to critically acclaimed Madgaon Express and The Garfield Movie, a number of shows and movies are set to premiere this week. Check the list below for major OTT and theatre releases of the week:

OTT releases this week

Bastar: The Naxal Story
Release date: 17 May 2024

Where to watch: Zee5

Adah Sharma’s political thriller explores the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. Helmed by Sudipto Sen, the political thriller stars Indira Tiwari, Vijay Krishna, Shilpa Shukla, Yashpal Sharma, Subrat Dutta, and Raima Sen. Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s production venture features Adah in a role of IPS officer Neerja Madhavan navigating through the complexities of her duty.

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke
Release date: 17 May 2024

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

After winning hearts with their portrayal of a married couple in theatres, Vicky Kaushal and Sara Ali Khan are arriving to entertain you on the OTT platforms. Zara Hatke Zara Bachke is a romantic drama that delves deep into the challenges faced by a couple during their hunt for their own house. Directed by Laxman Utekar, the film was a critical and commercial hit upon its release in theatres last year.

Bridgerton Season 3: Part 1
Release date: 17 May 2024

Where to watch: Netflix

The much-awaited series is renewed for a third season. The new season will explore the love story of Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton, played by Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton respectively. Adapted from Julia Quinn’s best-selling Bridgerton books, the series has been widely popular ever since its first season was dropped. Additionally, the second part of the series is slated to release later on June 13, 2024.

Madgaon Express
Release date: 17 May 2024

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Kunal Khemu’s directorial debut emerged as a surprise hit of the year. Sign up for this comedy-drama which revolves around three friends, Dodo, Ayush, and Pinku, which is sure to tickle your funny bones. The film revolves around the unexpected challenges due to a series of bad decisions taken by three leads as they set out for a Goa trip.

Bahubali: Crown of Blood
Release date: 17 May 2024

Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

The animated series is a prequel to the iconic SS Rajamouli films. The series portrays the early adventures of Amarendra Baahubali and Bhallaladeva as they join forces to fight against the warlord Raktadeva, who threatens their kingdom, Mahishmati. The series will mark the second animated series in the franchise after the release of the 2017 Baahubali: The Lost Legends.

Theatre releases this week

Kartam Bhugtam
Release date: 17 May 2024

Headlined by Shreyas Talpade and Vijay Raaz, Kartam Bhugtam is a psychological thriller. The translation of the title reads, ‘what goes around, comes around’. As the name suggests, the Soham Shah directorial is deeply rooted in the idea of karma which exists dominantly in our society.

The Garfield Movie
Release date: 17 May 2024

For all the iconic cat Garfield lovers, it’s time to book your tickets and witness the magic as he is set for an outdoor adventure to reunite with his father. Directed by Mark Dindal and produced by Namit Malhotra, the film has been adapted from an American comic strip created by Jim Davis. Chris Pratt lent his voice to the film.

IF
Release date: 17 May 2024

The next theatrical release that may compel you to pick up your phones immediately and grab a ticket for yourself is the live-action animated film IF. Directed by John Krasinski, the film boasts a star-studded cast that includes John Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, Emily Blunt, Steve Carell, Matt Damon, Blake Lively, and others in the lead roles. A young girl with a special ability to see everyone’s childhood imaginary friend sets on an adventure to reunite forgotten friends, forming the basic plot of the story.

Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil
Release date: 16 May 2024

Looking for a light-hearted entertainer? Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey director Vipin Das is back with another comedy-drama featuring Basil Joseph, Prithviraj, Anaswara Rajan, Jagadish, and Nikhila Vimal. Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil revolves around a young man who ends up marrying another woman instead of his intended bride following a series of unfortunate events.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

OTT and theatre releases this week: Srikanth to Murder in Mahim, movies and web series to watch this weekend

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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As we approach mid-May 2024, the entertainment industry is abuzz with a mix of OTT and theatrical releases. OTT platforms are serving us a diverse range of content, from gripping dramas to light-hearted comedies. Meanwhile, cinemas are also seeing a steady stream of releases, with audiences returning to the big screen for the latest blockbusters.

Theatre releases this week

Srikanth (May 10)

Srikanth is a biopic based on the life of Srikanth Bolla, the first visually impaired student at MIT. He later builds Bollant Industries and safeguards the future for those just like him. The movie is directed by Tushar Hiranandani and stars Rajkummar Rao in the lead role as Srikanth, along with Jyothika, Alaya F., and Sharad Kelkar.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (May 10)

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is an American science-fiction action film directed by Wes Ball. The film has Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, and Dichen Lachman playing important roles.

The plot of the story is based on Caesar, a young ape who embarks on a journey that will cause him to doubt all he has been taught about the past and make decisions that may shape the future for both apes and humans.

OTT Releases

Cooking Up Murder: Uncovering the Story (Netflix)

Cooking Up Murder is a documentary series on Netflix that follows the story of a Spanish chef who was charged with murder. The first episode of the series was released on May 10, 2024.

Murder in Mahim (JioCinema)

Murder in Mahim is a web series released on JioCinema on May 10, 2024, starring Vijay Raaz, Ashutosh Rana, and Shivani Raghuvanshi. The story is an adaptation of a book penned by Jerry Pinto based on a murder investigation.

Living With Leopards (Netflix)

Living With Leopards is a nature documentary that follows two leopard cubs as they make the fascinating journey from infancy into adulthood. The film is directed by Alex Parkinson and narrated by world-renowned wildlife cinematographer Brad Bestelink and released on May 10.

Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life (Disney+Hotstar)

Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life is a Malayalam-language survival drama film directed and written by Blessy. The movie is based on a true story that follows Najeeb Muhammed’s struggles in Saudi Arabia. After a successful theatrical release, the OTT released on the Disney+Hotstar platform on May 10.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Article 370 to Civil War, what to watch in theatres and on OTT this weekend

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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It’s the weekend again, and that means another exciting line-up of films and shows ready to release on OTT platforms and in theatres near you. While films like LSD 2: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha 2, Civil War and Do Aur Do Pyaar will hit the cinemas, Article 370, Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout and Chief Detective 1958 will start streaming on OTT platforms.

Let us look at the top OTT and theatrical releases of this week:

Top OTT releases:

Article 370 | Jio Cinema | April 19

After a good theatrical run, Article 370 will make its digital debut this week. Inspired by real events in Jammu And Kashmir prior to and after the abrogation of Article 370, the film received a mised response from critics but performed well at the ticket window. The Yami Gautam-starrer also had Sukhita Aiyar, Sandeep Chatterjee and Mohan Agashe in important roles.

Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver | Netflix | April 19

The much-awaited action sci-fi, Rebel Moon — Part Two: The Scargiver, is set to release this week on Netflix. It’s a squeal to Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire, which was released last year. The film revolves around the epic sage of Kora and other warriors who lost their own homeland against the Motherworld. The second part is set to feature Sofia Boutella, Charlie Hunnam and Cleopatra Coleman in lead roles.

Silence 2: The Night Owl Bar Shootout | ZEE5 | April 16

The crime thriller has already created a buzz among the fans after its release on the OTT platform ZEE5. The story revolves around an investigation of a mass killing that killed a minister’s assistant. Manoj Bajpayee alongside Prachi Desai and Shruti Bapna can be seen acting in the film.

Chief Detective 1958 | Netflix | April 19

The South Korean web series is set to be released on the OTT platform Netflix this week. Starring Lee Jehoon, Seo Eun-su and Lee Dong-hwi, the story revolves around the life of young detective Park Young-Han.

Top Theatrical releases:

Love Sex aur Dhokha 2 | April 19

Starring Urfi Javed, Anu Malik and Swastika Mukherjee the film, Love Sex aur Dhokha 2 is all set to hit the theatres this week. The film speaks about the complexities and issues people face in modern relationships. Various such problems are explored in the movie through interconnected stories of love, friendship, and identity.

Civil War | April 19

Directed by Alex Garland the film is all set to hit the Indian theaters on April 19. Starring Kirsten Dunst, Nick Offerman and Jefferson White, the film revolves around the story of a journalist who tries to enter Washington D.C before the city is taken over by the rebels in a war-torn United States.

Do Aur Do Pyaar | April 19

The Shirsha Guha Thakurta directorial stars Vidya Balan and Pratik Gandhi in the lead roles and will hit the silver screen on Friday. The story speaks about a couple Kavya and Anirudh who are in their late 30s. Bored from the marriage, the couple gets involved in affairs. The story evolves as the couple goes to attend a funeral where they understand their mistakes and decide to make their marriage work.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ to ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, OTT and theatres releases this week

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The second weekend of April is here, and it has brought along a perfect mix of films and web series for us. With Eid-ul-Fitr and Chaitra Navratri also being celebrated this week, we witnessed the release of some engaging films and series. While Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Maidaan hit the cinemas, the OTT world witnessed Imtiaz Ali’s cinematic brilliance in Amar Singh Chamkila on Netflix.

Fahadh Faasil’s Aavesham was also released in theatres. Let’s look at film and OTT releases for this week:

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan: One of the most highly anticipated films of this year, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, hit theatres on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The film is directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and stars Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff in the lead roles. It revolves around two soldiers who have to overcome differences to solve a mission against the antagonist, Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film also stars Manushi Chillar and Alaya F as the female leads. The film is currently running in theatres.

Maidaan: Maidaan is an engaging sports drama that perfectly describes the golden age of football in India. The film is directed by Amit Sharma and stars Ajay Devgn in the lead role. He plays the character of a coach, and the plot portrays his 10-year journey managing a football team. The film also stars Priyamani, Gajraj Rao, and Rudranil Ghosh in important roles.

Amar Singh Chamkila: Imtiaz Ali’s much-awaited Amar Singh Chamkila was also released on Netflix this week. The film is based on the life of popular Punjabi folk singer Amar Singh Chamkila, who was shot to death during his performance. Diljit Dosanjh plays the role of Chamkila, while Parineeti Chopra will be seen as Amarjot Kaur. The film also marks the comeback of Imtiaz Ali as a director after four years.

Premalu: Premalu is a Malayalam rom-com that was released on Disney Plus Hotstar this week. The film stars Naslen and Mamitha Baiju in the lead roles. Apart from Malayalam, the film will also be available in Hindi and Telugu. The film is directed by Girish AD and revolves around how the lead finds himself in a dilemma after falling in love with two women at the same time.

Aavesham: Another regional film that was released in theatres this week was Aavesham. The film revolves around the story of a gangster who helps three engineering students in their freshman year in a fight against the seniors. The film is directed by Jithu Madhavan and stars Fahadh Faasil in the lead role of a gangster. The Malayalam film has received a great response and is running well in theatres.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

The abnormal success of this Indian movie has put the spotlight on a 33-year-old cult classic

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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“Manithar unarndhu kolla, ithu manitha kadhal alla. Athaiyum thaandi punithamaanathu”. (This is not the kind of mortal love that men can comprehend. It’s purer/holier than that.)

Those words from a 33-year-old Tamil movie, Guna, are among the loudest echoes emanating from the success of  a low-budget Malayalam thriller, Manjummel Boys, which has shattered records, grossing ₹180 crore (the highest for any Malayalam movie) at the box office, backed by nothing but good word of mouth and the power of social media.

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Breaking linguistic, cultural, and temporal barriers, the film has also revived the fandom for the 1991 Tamil cult classic film, Guna, which inspired Director Chidambaram S Poduval.

An ardent fan of Kamal Hassan, Poduval tossed in some easter eggs from Guna in his own movie as a tribute to his hero. The searches for Guna have exploded since the release of Manjummel Boys.

Lakhs of videos celebrating, eulogising, and reinterpreting Guna’s story and songs have flooded the internet in the last one month. 

Another gem from Kerala

“It’s unbelievable, the growth of the movie and reception received by the movie,” Chidambaram said in a recent interview. 

Today, getting screen space for a few weeks would make the biggest filmmakers envious. Almost a month down the line, Manjummel Boys has broken box office records for Malayalam movies in other states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the fandom seems to be spreading further.  

“Simply extraordinary piece of confident mainstream filmmaking. So much better than all the big budget filmmaking in India,” said renowned director and producer Anurag Kashyap, who also admitted to being “insanely jealous” of Malayalam cinema. 

ALSO READ: Malayalam film ‘2018’ is India’s official entry for Oscars 2024

Manjummel Boys is indeed another gem in the ever-evolving landscape of Malayalam cinema where contemporary storytellers, still deeply rooted in tradition, serve delicious, relevant and endearingly authentic works of art with impressive frequency. 

Not just Kashyap, reputed filmmakers across states lauded the movie on social media without any apparent prompt. Influencers, movie buffs, reviewers and even illustrators took to digital platforms, creating extraordinary buzz and driving audiences to the theatres to watch the movie. 

Is timing key to success?

Manjummel Boys didn’t have the money, muscle or the relevance offered by contemporary politics as another movie, Article 370, released in the same week. 

On the other hand, Guna got lost in the shadow of the more mainstream (and a masterpiece in its own right) Thalapathi, directed by Mani Ratnam with superstars Rajinikanth and Mammooty in lead roles, which released on the same day in 1991. 

Kamal Haasan wasn’t a lesser star than Rajinikanth in 1991 but questions like ‘who’s normal in society and who’s not’, which Guna explored were possibly a bit too meta for the audience at the time,  compared to the gripping political drama offered by Thalapathi. 

The evolution of Indian cinema and its audience

Essentially, the success of Manjummel Boys can be attributed to at least three reasons aside from the much-lauded cinematography and screenplay, which weaves a real-life incident with narration and drama that has the audience hooked into the film with its complex emotions effectively portrayed by the actors. 

First, the audience is more open to authentic stories, across a wider range of subjects,  no matter the budget. 

Second, as mentioned above, linguistic barriers melt more easily, as long as the plot and characters are relatable, in 2024 than they did 30 years ago. 

Third, a compelling movie is no longer reliant on the whales of the film industry to promote them. Every once in a while, social media helps artists break the stranglehold of the gatekeepers and reach the audience, which fuels the journey of the art thereon.

In recent years, Oscar nominations for Village Rockstars (Assamese) and Jallikattu (Malayalam) are a true testament to what Indians today resonate with. Movies like Court (Marathi), as well as Hindi films without  a starcast like 12th Fail and Masaan have garnered attention all over the world despite minimal promotion. 

An unexpected success like that of Manjummel Boys is not just inspiring for young filmmakers but it also draws attention to the works of art that inspired its production. An entire generation has woken up to a movie that would have been a lot more relevant in 2024 India than it was in 1991. 

When will Manjummel Boys release on OTT? 

Negotiations are still underway and the producer wants as much as ₹20 crore in return for the OTT rights, according to a Times of India report citing trade analyst Sreedhar Pillai. 

Other speculators say that the OTT release may have to wait until the movie is released in Telugu and Hindi.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Weekend Binge | Yodha, Main Atal Hoon and more – theatre and OTT releases you can watch

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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It’s another weekend of exciting films releasing in cinemas and OTT platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus Hotstar. This week’s major releases are Main Atal Hoon, Murder Mubarak, Irish Wish, Yodha, Bastar: The Naxal Story, and several others. Check here for the list of major releases for this week.

OTT releases this week

1. Murder Mubarak

Release date: 15 March 2024

Where to watch: Netflix

Featuring actor Pankaj Tripathi in the lead role, an engaging mystery-thriller film, Murder Mubarak will be released on Netflix this week. The film’s story revolves around a mystery murder that takes place at an elite Delhi club and then the members are suspect. Tripathi plays the role of ACP Bhavani Singh, while the star-studded cast also features Sara Ali Khan, Vikay Varma, Karisma Kapoor, and many others.

2. Main Atal Hoon

Release date: 14 March 2024

Where to watch: ZEE5

Based on the life of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, this Pankaj Tripathi-starrer will be released this week on ZEE5. The film navigates through Vajpayee’s life and political journey following his role in major events like the Pokhran testing and the Kargil War.

3. Big Girls Don’t Cry

Release date: 14 March 2024

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Directed by Nitya Mehra alongside Sudhanshu Saria, Karan Kapadia, and Kopal Naithani, the school drama series Big Girls Don’t Cry releases this week on Amazon Prime. The show is set in the backdrop of an all-girls boarding school where a group of teenagers will be seen trying to discover identities while overcoming stereotypes.

4. Irish Wish

Release date: 15 March 2024

Where to watch: Netflix

Featuring actress Lindsay Lohan in the lead role, the fantasy rom-com film Irish Wish revolves around the story of a young woman who travels to Ireland to attend the wedding of her best friend. However, things take a strange turn after she suddenly wakes up one day as the bride-to-be.

5. Grey’s Anatomy Season 20

Release date: 15 March 2024

Where to watch: Disney Plus Hotstar

After entertaining audiences for nearly two decades, the popular American medical series Grey’s Anatomy is back with its 20th season. Featuring some of the popular actors reprising their roles this time, the series will be set in Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Theatre releases this week

Besides major OTT releases, several big films hit the theatres this week. From action thrillers to adventure-drama and comedy movies, audiences have a variety of titles to choose from.

1. Yodha

Release date: 15 March 2024

Sidharth Malhotra’s highly-awaited film Yodha will hit theatres this week on 15 March 2025. Directed by Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha, the film features Sidharth in the role of an off-duty soldier who fights terrorists on a hijacked passenger plane. Actors Disha Patani, Raashii Khanna, and Tanuj Virwani also play significant roles.

2. Kung Fu Panda 4

Release date: 15 March 2024

The fourth instalment in the celebrated Kung Fu Panda series will be released this week in theatres, with Jack Black reprising the voice of Po. Following the events after Po was chosen as the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, Kung Fu Panda shows things take a dark turn after a shape-shifting sorceress comes with her evil plans.

3. Bastar: The Naxal Story

Release date: 15 March 2024

Following the controversial release of The Kerala Story, Sudipto Sen-directed Bastar: The Naxal Story will hit theatres on 15 March 2024. The film’s trailer was recently unveiled, giving a glimpse inside into Naxal activities with Adah Sharma taking on the role of a tough cop who fights against the Naxals.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow