Theatres in Telangana are open again and screening new releases such as Satya Dev-starrer Thimmarusu and Ishq, starring Teja Sajja and Priya Prakash Varrier. The Telangana government has granted permission to theatre owners to run five shows a day.
Earlier this week, the Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala had requested the state government to consider permitting theatres to reopen in the state and had also submitted a set of demands, including the waiver of various taxes and a financial package to support the revival of the business.
Even as theatres in some parts of the country are slowly resuming operations, the OTT scene still remains strong.
Here are nine new films and shows streaming on OTT platforms this week, including Shershaah and Netrikkan.
1. Shershaah – Amazon Prime Video (August 12)
This war drama is inspired by the life of Kargil war hero, Captain Vikram Batra, essayed by Sidharth Malhotra. In conversation with Silverscreen India, director Vishnuvardhan said he spoke to soldiers who fought alongside Batra to bring authenticity to the film, which was also shot in Kargil, close to where the actual war was fought in 1999.
Read Silverscreen India‘s review of Shershaah here.
2. Netrikann – Disney+ Hotstar (August 13)
According to the official synopsis, Netrikann, starring Nayanthara, is a thriller that revolves around a visually-challenged woman, who gives testimony in a hit-and-run case. The police soon realise that the incident she is reporting is related to a series of cases in the city where girls have gone missing. It also sets off a chain of events that further entangle her in this case. But there is more to her than meets the eye. Her disability has strengthened all of her other senses and she uses her heightened awareness to help the police bring the mysterious serial kidnapper to justice.
3. Bhuj: The Pride of India – Disney+ Hotstar (August 13)
Set in the backdrop of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and starring Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt and Sonakshi Sinha, Bhuj: The Pride of India is based on the life of IAF Squadron Leader Vijay Karnik (Devgn) and tells the story of his bravery, patriotism and determination.
4. Modern Love Season 2 – Amazon Prime Video (August 13)
The new season of this romantic anthology series, inspired by The New York Times column of the same name, consists of eight half-hour episodes which will explore love in all forms, according to the official press release.
5. Beckett – Netflix (August 13)
Directed by Ferdinando Cito Filomarino, this film features John David Washington as an American tourist vacationing in Greece who becomes the target of a manhunt after a devastating accident. Forced to run for his life and desperate to get across the country to the American embassy to clear his name, tensions escalate as the authorities close in, political unrest mounts, and Beckett falls even deeper into a dangerous web of conspiracy.
6. India Shayari Project – Zee5 (August 15)
India Shayari Project is a 90-minute special that celebrates poetry and freedom in honour of India’s independence. The concept was produced by Zee Live. The show will be headlined by Javed Akhtar and will feature Kausar Munir, Zakir Khan and Kumar Vishwas.
7. AlRawabi School for Girls (Limited Series) – Netflix (August 12)
This Middle Eastern series is a high school drama produced with a full-female Arab cast and crew. AlRawabi School for Girls is the story of how a bullied girl gets her revenge, only to find out that no one is all bad, and no one is all good, including herself.
8. Godzilla vs Kong – Amazon Prime Video (August 13)
Godzilla vs. Kong is the 12th film in the King Kong franchise and the 36th film in the Godzilla franchise. The film pits the two icons against each other with humanity caught in the balance. The movie focuses on Kong and his protectors, who undertake a perilous journey to find his true home. With them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. However, they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe.
9. Shantit Kranti – SonyLiv (August 13)
Directed by Sarang Sathaye and Paula McGlynn, the founders of the Marathi content page – Bharatiya Digital Party (BhaDiPa), this show is the story of three best friends – Shreyas, Dinar and Prasanna. The friends go on a road trip to Goa, while dealing with issues like relationship insecurities, the uncertainty of life, and unfulfilled dreams.
