Even as the second wave of the pandemic challenged the entertainment industry, quite a few interesting films released on streaming platforms in 2021. And as theatres opened in November, some big-budget movies hit the big screens. Some of these also made their way on to OTT platforms.
Here is a quick look at Bollywood releases on OTT platforms from 2021. If you missed these, take a look at where you can watch them:
Pagglait (Netflix)
The film follows the journey of a young widow who loses her husband within five months of their marriage. From discovering her husband's past love to being cheated by a man who claims to love her, the movie will lead Sandhya (Sanya Malhotra) towards an independent life. Directed by Umesh Bist, the dark comedy also features Ashutosh Rana, Shruti Sharma and Raghubir Yadav in lead roles. The film was produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga and Achin Jain under the banners Balaji Motion Pictures and Sikhya Entertainment.
Sherni (Amazon Prime Video)
A film that excelled in portraying human-wildlife conflict with focus on a much-talked about topic- wildlife conservation. Vidya Balan, who essays the role of an Indian Forest Service officer, leads this film that delivers a much-needed and timely message. The movie directed by Amit V. Masurkar also stars Sharat Saxena, Vijay Raaz, Ila Arun, Brijendra Kala, Neeraj Kabi and Mukul Chaddha in supporting roles. It is produced by T-Series and Abundantia Entertainment.
Shershaah (Amazon Prime Video)
A biographical war film based on the life of Param Vir Chakra awardee Captain Vikram Batra. The movie revolves around a young blood who dreams to join the Indian Army. This Sidharth Malhotra flick covers Captain Batra’s youth, love life and his heroic army life. Kiara Advani who is paired with Sidharth to portray his love life gained attention much before the movie released. It is said to be one of the 'most viewed Indian films' on Amazon Prime. Directed by Vishnuvardhan, this movie is bankrolled by Dharma Productions and Kaash Entertainment, with Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Shabbir Boxwala, Ajay Shah and Himanshu Gandhi serving as co-producers.
Sooryavanshi (Netflix)
Rohit Shetty's fourth installment in the cop universe featuring Akshay Kumar is a mix of action, comedy and drama. The flick will remind viewers of previous films Simmba, Singham and Singham Returns, as a mass entry and action scenes are planned with Ranveer Singh and Ajay Devgn who feature in the first three films. The movie, which is jointly produced by Rohit Shetty, Aruna Bhatia, Hiroo Johar, Apoorva Mehta and Karan Johar, features Katrina Kaif as the female lead. The film released in theatres in November, after which it dropped on the streaming platform.
Sardar Udham (Amazon Prime Video)
The Shoojit Sircar directorial revolves around the life and times of Indian revolutionary Udham Singh, played by Vicky Kaushal. Udham, who is determined to avenge the brutal deaths of his people after witnessing the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, shoots Michael O’Dwyer, former Lt. governor of Punjab. The film not only portrays the protagonist as a revolutionary but also gives a glimpse of his love life, his friendship with Bhagat Singh and more. Apart from Vicky, the movie features Banita Sandhu, Amol Parashar, Shaun Scott, Kirsty Averton and Stephen Hogan in supporting roles. The movie is co-produced by Ronnie Lahiri and Sheel Kumar.
Mimi (Netflix)
Mimi who dreams to be a Bollywood dancer ends up being a surrogate mother due to financial needs. It is a story of a girl who hesitates to be a mother at first but later fights for that son and creates a mesmerising mother-son story on screen. Directed by Laxman Utekar the movie features Kriti Sanon in the lead role, along with Pankaj Tripathi, Sai Tamhankar, Manoj Pahwa, Supriya Pathak, Evelyn Edwards and Aidan Whytock in supporting roles. It is jointly produced by Dinesh Vijan under the banner Maddock Films and Jio Studios.
Bell Bottom (Amazon Prime Video)
The story is all about an agent code-named ‘bell bottom’ who is assigned to solve the case of hijack of flight 691. The movie featuring Akshay Kumar as the lead agent, is inspired from real life hijacking events in India by Khalistani separatists during the 1980s. It also features Lara Dutta, Vaani Kapoor and Huma Qureshi in a cameo role. The action thriller is directed by Ranjit M Tewari and produced by Vashu Bhagnani, Jackky Bhagnani, Deepshikha Deshmukh and Nikkhil Advani under the banners of Pooja Entertainment and Emmay Entertainment.
Thalaivii (Netflix)
A movie based on the life of former Tamil Nadu chief minister and a much loved actress of the time J.Jayalalithaa. It will help you dive deeper into her transformation from a superstar to 'Thalaivii' in politics. Officially launched on her birth anniversary the movie was released in both Hindi and Tamil. The film stars Kangana Ranaut as Jayalalithaa and Arvind Swami as M. G. Ramachandran. The A. L. Vijay directorial was produced by Vishnu Vardhan Induri and Shailesh R Singh. It features other prominent actors like Nassar, Bhagyashree, Raj Arjun, Madhoo, Thambi Ramaiah, Shamna Kasim and Samuthirakani in supporting roles.