Streaming platforms are replete with exciting new OTT releases this week. From the light-hearted rom-com Loveyapa to the action-packed entertainer Badass Ravi Kumar, from social dramas to brain-rotting masala action movies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. There are also evergreen classics to keep you glued to the screen. Several movies stand out in delivering a heavy plot and brilliant cinematography.
Although movies are considered a quintessential art form, they need not always have a great influence over people or cultures. Some movies are just made for entertainment and should remain a personal form of gratification. Let’s see what we’re binging this week!
1. Loveyapa (Recently released)
Loveyapa is a light-hearted rom-com trying to provide a new perspective on modern relationships. With an average screenplay balanced by some humour and good comic timing, Loveyapa has received mixed reviews across the country. The film successfully touches on relevant issues, such as the influence of social media and technology on love and communication. Khushi Kapoor and Junaid gave a commendable performance despite getting heavily trolled during the initial promotions. In terms of showing intense emotions that resonate with the audience, both of them have a long way to go. Overall, Loveyapa is an enjoyable one-time watch, but its execution could’ve been better.
2. Badass Ravi Kumar (Recently released)
Badass Ravikumar is directed by Keith Gomes and stars Himesh Reshammiya as Ravi Kumar, depicting him as a fearless cop dodging showers of bullets on a mission to seek justice. The movie is jam-packed with gravity-defying action, larger-than-life villains, and exaggerated dialogues. Apart from Himesh Reshammiya, the film is also supported by an effervescent cast including Prabhu Deva and Kirti Kulhari. Though it is not a movie for those seeking logic and coherence, it is still an amusing entertainer that promises a nostalgic ride. The movie has also taken the internet by storm, sparking a social media meme fest. Some people on Instagram under the movie’s promotional videos also commented, “Brilliant performance by Lord Himesh.” “We got Himesh Reshammiya in an action thriller before GTA-VI.” Another user commented: “Tom Cruise could never,” making it an unhinged, over-the-top throwback to Bollywood 80s masala cinema.
3. Interstellar (Available on Amazon Prime)
Christopher Nolan’s re-released classic sci-fi starring Anne Hathaway, Matthew McConaughey, and Matt Damon, “Interstellar,” has made a comeback in Indian theatres, offering an unparalleled premium big-screen experience to the fans. Interstellar combines accurate but complex scientific concepts with deep, soul-crushing storytelling to explore the themes of survival, sacrifice, and love. As Matthew McConaughey’s character, Cooper, says, “Love is the one thing that transcends time and space.” It leaves viewers contemplating their existence in the vastness of the infinite universe. The success of Interstellar after being re-released in India accentuates the Indian audience’s thirst for intellectually and visually stimulating movies.
4. Mrs. (Available on Zee5)g
A remake of the acclaimed Malayalam movie “The Great Indian Kitchen,” Arati Kadav’s “Mrs.” starring Sanya Malhotra, is a thought-provoking critique against the plight of most women post-marriage. It showcases how Sanya Malhotra’s character Richa, after marrying Diwakar (Nishant Dahiya), a successful doctor, finds herself entangled under the crushing weight of patriarchy, misogyny, and sexism. Each scene in the movie is a carefully woven tapestry portraying oppressive norms and unfair dynamics within relationships. The ungrateful nature of the male counterparts (the husband and the father-in-law) towards domestic chores and their lack of empathy despite being “educated” doctors pushes Richa into a pit of frustration, ultimately resulting in a very explosive breakdown. This was not just a movie but an overwhelming journey of self-reflection and ultimately liberation.
5. The Mehta Boys (Available on Amazon Prime)
The Mehta Boys marking Boman Irani’s directorial debut is a beautifully crafted tale narrating a complex father-son relationship. The theme, although mundane, has its nuances. It is a cinematic masterpiece navigating Amey’s (Avinash Tiwary) uncomfortable and eccentric journey as Shiv’s (Boman Irani) son and Shiv’s challenges after recently losing his wife. It depicts a multitude of human emotions in an extremely poignant way. Each frame of the movie tells an emotion-laden story in itself. The Mehta Boys is sincere; it’s raw, and most importantly, it’s relatable in today’s changing familial dynamics where children and parents often struggle to find a connection. As the credits roll, this movie, though a rollercoaster of emotions, also feels like a warm hug on a cold, breezy winter evening.
Whether it is skilfully woven intense stories depicting relationship dynamics or light-hearted movies that lack emotional depth but are power-packed with action and humour, it is clear that box office and OTT platforms are offering something to suit everyone’s palate.
