With television consistently failing to meet the demands of the 18-35 demographic, web-series have stepped-up and donned the saviour’s hat. This group, characterised by its aversion towards melodramas on television, seeks refuge in digital streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Many regional entertainment industries are yet to notice the writing on the wall, but Tamil seems to be spearheading a change in this segment. Independent filmmakers as well as the bigwigs of the film industry have jumped onto the digital bandwagon and are putting their money where the future lies.
Here’s a look at some exciting fare in the domain of digital entertainment:
Weekend Macha
Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Ondraga Entertainment was one of the earliest to associate itself with digital productions. Weekend Macha, produced by the Kaakha Kaakha and Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya director, is about four IT employees in Chennai who slog their way through the weekdays and seek solace from the mundaneness of their work life during the weekends. Directed by Shameer Sultan, who directed one of the shorts in the Karthik Subbaraj-produced anthology Aviyal, the series consists of eight episodes and aired on December 8, 2017.
Here’s the link to the trailer.
Kallachirippu
Directed by Roju and produced by Jigarthanda director Karthik Subbaraj, Kallachirippu is all set to stream on Zee5 from July 23. The trailers suggest that the story revolves around an arranged marriage and a crime. This show in the crime thriller genre is novel in a domain that has so far been largely dominated by comedy. Another welcome change is the presence of a female protagonist, played by Amrutha Srinivasan.
Watch the trailer for Kallachirippu here:
Nila Nila Odi Vaa
Nila_Nila_Odi_Vaa
Starring Mankatha fame Ashwin Kakumanu and Sunainaa, Nila Nila Odi Vaa is a blend of romantic comedy and vampire thriller. According to the lead actor, the show’s director Nandhini has conceptualised a Chennai where vampires reside. Set to air from July 24 on Viu, the show consists of 13 episodes.
Kalyanamum Kadanthu Pogum
Having directed acclaimed movies such as Soodhu Kavvum and Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum, Nalan Kumarasamy ventures into web series with this show that promises to be a comic take on weddings. Consisting of 10 episodes, each with a different story, the show, says producer Sameer, will have a realistic approach but with a hint of satire. The series is set to air on digital streaming platform Viu.
Madras Mansion
Produced by Sameer and set to air on Viu, which seems the chosen destination for these series, this 13-part web-series stars Adithya Shivpink, Varshini Pakal, Subbu and Attul Raghunath. The show promises a plethora of characters such as an aspiring director, a meme creator, a marketing executive and a real estate broker. According to the show’s director Athiappan Siva, “Madras Mansion is the hub that offers the protagonists solace and shelter when they come to an alien land (Chennai) to pursue their dreams.”
