Akshay Kumar-starrer Bell Bottom is set to be the first big film to release in theatres on August 19 as COVID-19 restrictions are eased in many states. Bell Bottom did not take the OTT route like other patriotic films like Shershaah and Bhuj: The Pride of India which released on streaming platforms ahead of Independence Day last week.
OTT platforms have a handful of releases this week. Here’s a quick look:
Home: Amazon Prime Video
Release date: August 19
Set in the backdrop of the pandemic and work-from-home culture, this Malayalam slice-of-life drama features Sreenath Bhasi, Indrans, Vijay Babu and Manju Pillai. The release coincides with Onam celebrations in Kerala. “With Home, our focus was solely to highlight a socially relevant topic with a point of view portrayed in such a way that it leaves viewers with food for thought,” Vijay Babu, who has also produced the film, said in a statement earlier. Written and directed by Rojin Thomas, a technologically challenged father tries to connect with his kids and make sense of the changing world in this family drama.
‘Memories of a Murderer: The Nilsen Tapes’: Netflix
Release date: August 18
In this true-crime documentary, serial killer Dennis Nilsen narrates his life and horrific crimes via a series of chilling audiotapes recorded from his jail cell. Nilsen, one of England’s most notorious serial killers, has killed at least 15 people over a five-year period beginning from 1978.The film also features interviews with journalists, policemen and also family members of victims.
Boomika: Netflix
Release date: August 23
Directed and written by Rathindran R Prasad, the Tamil ‘eco-horror thriller’ stars Aishwarya Rajesh in the lead. Boomika also stars Vidhu, Pavel Navageethan, Madhuri, Surya Ganapathy, Ayaan Abhishek and Avantika Vandanapu.
Sweet Girl: Netflix
Release date: August 20
Jason Momoa fights for his family in action-thriller co-starring Isabela Merced. Momoa plays a grieving father seeking revenge for his wife's death. As he hunts the people he believes responsible for her demise, he must protect his daughter, Rachel. The thriller is directed by Brian Mendoza.
The Chair: Netflix
Release date: August 20
The Chair is a drama comedy series starring Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh. It also features Jay Duplass, Holland Taylor, Nana Mensah, Bob Balaban, David Morse and Everly Carganilla. Ji Yong Lee, Mallor Low, Marcia Debonis, Ron Crawford, Ella Rubin and Bob Stephenson round out the cast. The Chair follows Ji-Yoon Kim (Oh), the Chair of the English department at a small university. She faces the challenges of being the first woman to head the department as well as being one of the few people of colour on campus.
