From gripping horror thrillers to action-packed films, the month of May begins with an exciting lineup of movies and TV shows.
THEATRE RELEASES
1. Aranmanai 4
Release date: May 3
A horror-comedy helmed by Sudar C, Aranmanai 4 is set to hit theatres this week. The plot of the movie revolves around the attempts of a man to investigate the mysterious death of his family members. The movie has no connection with other films in the Aranmanai franchise. 'Aranmanai' (Palace) features an ensemble cast including Tamannaah Bhatia, Raashi Khanna, Yogi Babu, and the director himself. The film was originally scheduled for release in January but was postponed to May.
2. Malayalee From India
Release date: May 1
Nivin Pauly teams up with 'Jana Gana Mana' director Dijo Jose Antony in this film which is expected to be a political satire. Nivin plays Aalparambil Gopi, a goofy, fun-loving man, and Dhyan Sreenivasan plays his best friend. Anaswara Rajan is likely to be playing his love interest. In a video shared on X, Dijo Jose had said, "This is a simple story of any Malayalee. This is the story of our own Aalparambil Gopi, his life, his village, his friends, and some interesting circumstances that happen in his life."
3. Nadikar
Release date: May 3
Directed by Lal Jr. and produced jointly by Godspeed Cinema and Mythri Movie Makers, Nadikar has Tovino Thomas playing David Padikkal, a superstar going through a difficult phase in his life. The film revolves around how David struggles with fame, his public life, and the challenges he faces in his personal life. The cast includes Soubin Shahir, Balu Varghese, Suresh Krishna, and Bhavana. The movie was originally titled 'Nadikar Thilakam' but was changed to 'Nadikar' in January after a request from fans of the legendary Tamil actor Shivaji Ganeshan, who was known by the sobriquet.
4. The Fall Guy
Release date: May 3
'The Fall Guy' revolves around a veteran stuntman, Colt Seavers, essayed by Ryan Gosling, who comes back to the sets from semi-retirement. Colt later finds himself investigating the disappearance of a movie star and also trying to reignite the spark between him and the movie's director, who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend, played by Emily Blunt. 'The Fall Guy' is a tribute to all stunt artists who have made the impossible possible on screen. The movie, directed by David Leitch, promises to be an action-packed, fun film.
OTT RELEASES
1. Shaitaan
Release date: May 3
Streaming platform: Netflix
The supernatural thriller 'Shaitaan,' starring Ajay Devgn, Jyotika, and Madhavan, will start streaming on May 3 on Netflix. The film is about a family's vacation taking an unexpected turn when a mysterious stranger, portrayed by Madhavan, enters their life. With his supernatural powers, he brings chaos in the family. Kabir, played by Ajay Devgn, must fight to save his family from the influence of this mysterious man. The movie also marks Jyotika's comeback to Bollywood.
2. The Idea of You
Release date: May 2
Streaming platform: Amazon Prime Video
The romantic-comedy film is based on Robinne Lee's novel of the same name. The film explores the unexpected connection between Solène, a 40-year-old single mother played by Anne Hathaway, and Hayes Campbell, lead singer of a popular boy band played by Nicholas Galitzine. The movie revolves around the challenges of keeping their relationship from the public eye and how Solène struggles with her age and societal expectations.
3. Manjummel Boys
Release date: May 5
Streaming platform: Disney plus Hotstar
The much-applauded Malayalam survival thriller is loosely based on a real-life incident from 2006. Chidambaram's 'Manjummel Boys' tells the story of a bunch of friends from Kerala who go on a trip to Tamil Nadu's Kodaikanal hill station. They venture into the prohibited areas of the Guna Caves, and one of them falls into an 800-ft-deep pit. The rest of the film is about the attempts by the gang to save him. The movie was a box office hit, grossing over 200 crores, making it the highest-grossing Malayalam film.
4. BTS Begins Youth
Release date: April 30
Streaming platform: Xclusive
The BTS fans (ARMY) can't hold their excitement as the coming-of-age BTS K-drama is arriving on streaming platforms. The series looks into how Kim Hwan meets six boys and how they form a special bond, tackling each others' challenges and shaping a bright future. Fans expect the drama to replicate the original journey of the BTS members before stardom.
5. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar
Release date: May 1
Streaming platform: Netflix
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's highly anticipated historical drama series looks into the lives of courtesans of Lahore's Heera Mandi. Bhansali, known for his rich filmmaking style, brings Heera Mandi to life with realistic sets, beautiful costumes, and amazing soundtracks. The beautiful courtesans are played by Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh. The series is centered around the themes of ambition, power, struggle for freedom, and love.
