From the much applauded Mammootty's 'Bramayugam' to the lazy goofball 'Kung Fu Panda 4', OTT and theatres offer an exciting watch for cinephiles this week.
THEATRE RELEASES
1. YODHA
Release date: 15 March
Sidharth Malhotra plays soldier again in his upcoming movie 'Yodha'. The Dharma Productions outing revolves around a soldier who tries to rescue passengers from a hijacked Air India plane. Going by the trailer, the movie promises to be a thrilling and emotional ride. Disha Patani plays air hostess and Raashi Khanna appears as Sidharth's lover. The movie is directed by Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha.
2. Kung Fu Panda 4
Release date: 15 March
Kung Fu Panda is back. The fourth instalment of the once-great franchise looks into Po's retirement and finding a successor for his title. But Po doesn't want to give up his title and also faces a new enemy, the Chameleon. With humour, adventure, and state-of-the-art animation, the movie is an enjoyable watching experience.
3. Arthur The King
Release date: 15 March
'Arthur The King' is based on the incredible real-life story of athlete Mikael Lindnord and a stray dog. Based on Mikael Lindnord's memoir 'Arthur - The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home', the movie revolves around a stray dog (Arthur) who accompanies Mikael and his team on an endurance race. They develop an inseparable bond. Mark Wahlberg essays the role of Mikael Lindnord. The movie is directed by Simon Cellan Jones.
4. Bastar: The Naxal Story
Release date: 15 March
After the controversial outing 'The Kerala Story', Sudipto Sen is back with 'Bastar: The Naxal Story'. According to the trailer, Adah Sharma takes the role of Neeraja Madhavan, a determined cop who wishes to make India free from Naxalism.
OTT RELEASES
1. Murder Mubarak
Streaming on: Netflix
Release date: 15 March
The trailer of the upcoming Netflix film 'Murder Mubarak' gives the same vibe as Daniel Craig's Knives Out. Even though both revolve around the same genre, 'Murder Mubarak' is based on Anuja Chauhan's novel 'Club You to Death'. The movie features a stellar cast including Karishma Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Vijay Varma, and Sara Ali Khan in pivotal roles.
2. Grey's Anatomy, Season 20
Streaming on: Disney plus Hotstar
Release date: March 14
The longest-running medical drama is renewed for another season. The main character Meredith Grey, essayed by Ellen Pompeo, had stepped down in the previous season, and fans are curious to know whether she will be in for the new season. In a recent on-screen conversation with another actor, Ellen Pompeo said, “I will be making some appearances hopefully next year if I can find some time.” The series has a lot of twists and turns, and season 19 ended at a very crucial point. Grey's Anatomy is created by Shonda Rhimes and has received many awards including the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama.
3. Bramayugam
Streaming on: Sony LIV
Release date: March 14
Highly- anticipated Mammootty's horror thriller 'Bramayugam' is a spine-chilling experience. Bramayugam, which means The Age of Madness, is set in the dark ages of Kerala. The movie, which did a great run in the theatres, offers the viewers a spectacular watch. The plot revolves around a lower-caste man essayed by Arjun Ashokan who has lost his way in a forest and ends up at a mana (house of aristocratic Namboodiri Brahmins). He is received by the mana's patriarch Kodumon Potty, essayed by Mammootty. What happens then forms the crux of the story. The movie is shot in monochrome and is directed by Rahul Sadasivan.
4. Taylor Swift The Eras Tour
Streaming on: Disney plus Hotstar
Release date: 15 March
The musical journey of Taylor Swift's iconic Eras Tour will now be available on streaming platforms. The movie was a theatrical hit, crossing over $262 million worldwide. Directed by Sam Wrench, the movie looks into the concerts, the behind-the-scenes, mesmerising performances, fan reactions, etc. The movie also portrays how much Taylor Swift has grown to build her musical career.
5. Main Atal Hoon
Streaming on: Zee5
Release date: 14 March
'Main Atal Hoon' is the biography of India's former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The film captures Vajpayee as a poet, gentleman, and statesman. Pankaj Tripathi nails the role of A.B. Vajpayee through his body language and speaking style. However, the film was not well-received by audiences in theatres after many criticised it for lacking detail and depth. The film is directed by Ravi Jadhav and features Piyush Mishra and Ekta Kaul along with Tripathi.
6. Big Girls Don't Cry
Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
Release on: 14 March
Set in Vandana Valley School 'Big Girls Don't Cry' follows a group of boarding school girls as they face the challenges of their final year. The series explores various themes including love, revenge, sisterhood, friendship, hate, academics, and school legacy. Pooja Bhat plays the role of the school principal. When asked about her character, she said, “As a rebellious teenager who never shied away from speaking my mind and questioning authority, it was such a kick to play Anita Verma.” The young adult series is created by Nitya Mehra and promises to be a fun watch.
