The last week of May 2023 comes with a remarkable lineup of OTT releases encompassing a variety of genres, languages, and narratives. From Hindi films that explored human complexities to international gems that pushed the boundaries of storytelling, and regional language offerings that celebrated the rich storytelling of Indian cinema, this week proved to be a treasure trove for entertainment enthusiasts.
Fans of Hindi content can watch the intriguing releases during this eventful week. Manoj Bajpayee’s release Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai will stream on Zee5. The second season of Crackdown – a thrilling web series, will be making its way to JioCinema. Meanwhile, Varun Dhawan starrer blockbuster ‘Bhediya’ will have its digital premiere on the same platform after a long wait.
The lineup will not be complete without some highly anticipated international releases. Netflix will stream ‘Missing,’ a gripping thriller that unravels a captivating mystery. Meanwhile, Disney+ Hotstar will entertain the audience with American Born Chinese, an adaptation of the critically acclaimed graphic novel that explores identity and culture.
On the regional front, Simply South will be streaming Bharatha Circus and Deiva Machan this week. Furthermore, Amazon Prime Video will cater to Malayalam audiences with the blockbuster film ‘Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum’, which captivates with its unique storytelling. Telugu viewers were treated to the highly anticipated third season of Geetha Subramanyam along with the engaging drama Sathi Gani Rendu Ekaralu on Aha Video, and supernatural thriller Boo on JioCinema
This Week’s Best OTT Releases to Binge-Watch
| Title | OTT Platform | OTT Release Date | Language |
| Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai | Zee5 | 23-May | Hindi |
| Geetha Subramanyam: S3 | Aha Video | 23-May | Telugu |
| Bewafa Sanam | JioCinema | 24-May | Bhojpuri |
| Missing | Netflix | 24-May | English |
| American Born Chinese | Disney+ Hotstar | 24-May | English |
| The Light in Your Eyes | MX Player | 24-May | English |
| Intertwined 2 | Disney+ Hotstar | 24-May | English |
| Mother’s Day | Netflix | 24-May | Polish |
| Crackdown S2 | JioCinema | 25-May | Hindi |
| Fubar S1 | Netflix | 25-May | English |
| Bharatha Circus | Simply South | 26-May | Malayalam |
| Fire in the Mountain | SonyLIV | 26-May | Hindi |
| Sathi Gani Rendu Ekaralu | Aha Video | 26-May | Telugu |
| Rajneeti | Hoichoi | 26-May | Bengali |
| Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum | Amazon Prime Video | 26-May | Malayalam |
| Deiva Machan | Simply South | 26-May | Tamil |
| Bhediya | JioCinema | 26-May | Hindi |
| City of Dreams S3 | Disney+ Hotstar | 26-May | Hindi |
| Boo | JioCinema | 26-May | Telugu |
Bhediya | JioCinema
Penned by Niren Bhatt and skillfully directed by Amar Kaushik, Bhediya takes place amidst the enchanting forests of Arunachal and weaves a compelling tale centred around Bhaskar. After a fateful encounter with a wolf, Bhaskar finds himself undergoing a mysterious transformation, gradually morphing into the very creature that bit him. As Bhaskar and his friends embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind his metamorphosis, a captivating blend of twists, turns, and laughter ensues. With its remarkable box office success, grossing over ₹200 crores, the film emerged as one of the most triumphant releases of 2022. While opinions among critics were varied, some lauded the performances and humour showcased in the film.
Where to Watch: JioCinema
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon, and others
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai | Zee5
The upcoming Zee5 release, Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, is a compelling courtroom drama featuring renowned Bollywood actors. Inspired by actual events, this film unravels the gripping tale of a sessions court lawyer who embarks on a protracted legal battle against a self-proclaimed godman accused of assaulting a young girl. As the story unfolds, audiences bear witness to a series of events that test whether justice will prevail. Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai delves into the complexities of the legal system and the pursuit of righteousness.
Where to Watch: Zee5
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Genre: Crime, Drama
Cast: Manoj Bajpayee, Jai Hind Kumar and others
Geetha Subramanyam: S3 | Aha Video
After two successful seasons, the makers of Geetha Subramanyam are back with yet another season of the show. The premise of this romantic drama revolves around the lives of Geetha and Subramanyam, a couple navigating the intricacies of a live-in relationship. Their amusing and adorable arguments become the heart of this captivating narrative, providing an endearing and entertaining experience. As the story unfolds, we witness their gradual realization that they are truly meant to be together, showcasing the evolution of their bond over time.
Where to Watch: Aha Video
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Genre: Romance, Drama
Cast: Abhignya, Nakshatra, and others
Bewafa Sanam | JioCinema
The premise of the Bhojpuri film Bewafa Sanam, revolves around romance and betrayal, where Sandhya, according to her father’s wish, marries Prem and moves to London. However, she begins to suspect Prem after seeing him together with a girl named Neha. Will Sandhya be able to save her marriage with Prem?
Where to Watch: JioCinema
Genre: Drama, Romance
Cast: Pawan Singh, Smrity Sinha
Also Read: Upcoming Hollywood Movies 2023: Release Dates, Star Cast, Storyline and More
Missing | Netflix
Sequel to the famous film – Searching, this 2023 release, Missing, is a thriller that follows the story of June Allen, a teenager who tries to find her missing mother after she disappears on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend. June’s search for answers is hindered by international red tape, so she creatively uses all the latest technology at her fingertips to try and find her mother before it’s too late. However, as she digs deeper, her digital sleuthing soon raises more questions than answers.
Where to Watch: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Cast: Storm Reid, Joaquim de Almeida, and others
American Born Chinese | Disney+ Hotstar
Presented as a fantasy comedy-drama television series, American Born Chinese is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang. The series follows Jin Wang, a Chinese-American teenager who struggles with his identity in a predominantly white American culture. When he meets a foreign exchange student named Wei-Chen, he finds himself pulled into a battle among the Gods of Chinese mythology.
Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Genre: Action, Comedy
Cast: Ben Wang, Daniel Wu, and others
The Light in your Eyes | MX Player
Presented as a comedy drama, The Light in Your Eyes is a Korean series about “a woman who loses all her time before she can use it up and a man who gives up all of his radiant moments and lives a lethargic life.” The show will be streaming on the OTT platform in Hindi.
Where to Watch: MX Player
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Cast: Han Ji-Min, Hye-ka Kim, and others
Intertwined 2 | Disney+ Hotstar
After a successful first season, the second season of Intertwined will be available on the OTT platform. The premise as shared by the makers reads, “Marco travels through time and transports from the ’90s straight into 2021, thanks to the bracelet. Fascinated by the new world he sees, Marco is determined to remain with Allegra in 2021. Meanwhile, the three women in the Sharp family — Cocó, Caterina and Allegra — receive an offer for their play, “Light Years,” that they can’t refuse. Still, they find this project challenging because several past revelations from 1994 were never resolved. Marco, determined to help the Sharp women, also searches for answers as to why the bracelet took him to 2021 and learns that this magical object that allows time travel also carries an unknown danger.”
Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar
IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Cast: Carolina Domench, Elena Roger, and others
Mother’s Day | Netflix
Presented as an action thriller, Mother’s Day is about a mom who faces obstacles to save her child. The premise as shared on Netflix reads, “when the son she’s never known gets kidnapped, former special agent Nina dusts off her deadly skills to bring him home — no matter who gets in her way.”
Where to Watch: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 5.4/10
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Cast: Jowita Budnik, Akradiusz, and others
Crackdown S2 | JioCinema
Following the successful debut of its first season in 2020 on Voot, the creators of Crackdown are now gearing up to launch the highly anticipated second season of the series. The storyline centres around the lives of a group of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agents. Led by the formidable agent RP, the team embarks on a mission to unravel a dangerous conspiracy that poses a significant threat to India’s security. To accomplish their objective, they enlist the help of Divya, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Mariam, the former lover of the militant Zaheed.
Where to Watch: JioCinema
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Cast: Saqib Saleem, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and others
Fubar – Season 1 | Netflix
Presenting Arnold Schwarzenegger as a lead in his first series ever, Fubar is a new spy series for Netflix, with eight-episode series that follow Luke Brunner (Schwarzenegger), a retired CIA operative who is forced to come out of retirement for one last mission. Luke is joined by his estranged daughter, Emma (Monica Barbaro), who is also a CIA agent. Together, they must stop a dangerous terrorist plot.
Where to Watch: Netflix
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenneger, Monica Barbaro, and others
Bharatha Circus | Simply South
Written by Muhad Vembayam and directed by Sohan Seenulal, Bharatha Circus is centered around the latter phase of Laxmanan Kani’s life, an average middle-aged individual who finds himself grappling with intense mental turmoil. The narrative takes shape when he visits a police station to lodge a complaint. The story gradually unravels as the complaint leads to an investigation into a forest range area, uncovering unexpected truths along the way.
Where to Watch: Simply South
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
Genre: Drama, Politics
Cast: Aradhya Ann, Shine Chacko and others
Fire in the Mountain | SonyLIV
Written and directed by Ajitpal Singh, Fire in the Mountain is one of the popular films which made mark at the recent film festivals globally. The film is set in a Himalayan village, where a determined mother works tirelessly to accumulate funds for constructing a road. Her goal is to provide her wheelchair-bound son with access to much-needed physiotherapy. However, her husband holds a contrasting belief that a shamanic ritual called ‘Jaagar’ is the ultimate remedy for their son’s condition. In a heartbreaking turn of events, he betrays her trust by stealing the savings she diligently amassed for their shared dream.
Where to Watch: SonyLIV
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Genre: Drama
Cast: Vinamrata Rai, Chandan Bisht, and others
Sathi Gani Rendu Ekaralu | Aha Video
Written and directed by Abhinav Danda, the premise of Sathi Gani Rendu Ekaralu, a Telugu-language film that revolves around “Confusion, comedy and violence when a debt-ridden thief stumbles upon a suitcase with uncut gems in his farmland.” The film is said to be a direct-to-OTT release presented as a captivating dark comedy film with a blend of humour and drama. The film explores the father’s determined journey in the face of adversity.
Where to Watch: Aha Video
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Jagadeesh Bhandari, Aneesha Dhama, and others
Rajneeti | Hoichoi
Directed by Sourav Chakraborty, Rajneeti, a political thriller, revolves around “Rashi, who wakes up from a prolonged coma after an accident and realizes she has lost her memories. While her family rallies around her as she tries to regain her memory, she finds herself at the centre of a political conspiracy. Find out the truth in the story of politics and powerplay.”
Where to Watch: Hoichoi
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Cast: Kaushik Ganguly, Ditipriya Roy, and others
Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum | Amazon Prime Video
This is a Malayalam-language romantic drama written and directed by Ranjith Sankar. The film tells the story of two people from different worlds who fall in love. Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum is set in the backdrop of a beautiful coastal village in Kerala and the title is inspired by a poem by the Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup. Critics praised the film for its beautiful visuals, heartwarming story, and performances by the lead cast, which made the film a commercial success, grossing over Rs 100 crore at the box office.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Fahad Faasil, Indrans, and others
Deiva Machan | Simply South
Released in 2023, Deiva Machan is a Tamil-language fantasy comedy directed by Martin Nirmal Kumar. The film tells the story of a man who has the ability to see the future in his dreams. He uses this ability to help his sister find a suitable groom, but when he sees that her husband is going to die, he must find a way to save him. Deiva Machan got positive reviews from critics and was praised for its humour, performances, and direction, eventually becoming a commercial success, grossing over Rs. 100 crore at the box office.
Where to Watch: Simply South
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Cast: Vemal, Anita Sampath, Pandiarajan, and others
City of Dreams – Season 3 | Disney+ Hotstar
Presented as a crime thriller, City of Dreams is back with season 3. The premise of the show highlights the paths of numerous individuals who converge following an assassination plot against Mumbai’s highly controversial political leader. A solitary act of disruption, akin to a stone cast into a tranquil lake, triggers a chain reaction of consequences that impact and wound countless lives. “City of Dreams” delves into the internal conflict within the Gaikwad family, ignited by the assassination attempt on a divisive political figure. Within this captivating tale, the boundaries between right and wrong become blurred as a power struggle takes centre stage.
Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Cast: Priya Bapat, Eijaz Khan, and others
Boo | JioCinema
Presented as a multilingual horror film, Boo revolves around a close-knit circle of girls who embark on a daring adventure by conducting a seance while immersing themselves in a ghostly book. Little do they know that the eerie tales described in the book will gradually manifest in their lives, setting off a harrowing chain of supernatural encounters. The makers have captured the perpetual clash between the frightened girls and the malevolent spirits and aim to intensify the tension throughout their spine-chilling journey.
Where to Watch: JioCinema
Genre: Horror
Cast: Rakul Preet Singh, Vishwak Sen, and others
Exciting Other OTT releases to look out for this week
| Title | OTT Platform | OTT Release Date | Language |
| The Creature Cases | Netflix | 22-May | English |
| Voice of Punjab – Chota Champ S9 | PTC Play | 22-May | Punjabi |
| Victim/Suspect | Netflix | 23-May | English |
| Wanda Sykes: I’m an Entertainer | Netflix | 23-May | English |
| Merpeople | Netflix | 23-May | English |
| Platonic | Apple TV+ | 24-May | English |
| Hard Feelings | Netflix | 24-May | German |
| Tin and Tina | Netflix | 24-May | Spanish |
| Chal Mann Jeetva Jaiye 2 | ShemarooMe | 24-May | Gujarati |
| The Ultimatum: Queer Love | Netflix | 25-May | English |
| Kendra Sells Hollywood: S2 | Discovery+ | 25-May | English |
| Prisoner of the Propher | Discovery+ | 25-May | English |
| Alice Darling | Lionsgate Play | 26-May | English |
| California | Curiosity Stream | 26-May | English |
| My Secret Terrius | Playflix | 26-May | Hindi |
| Jai Kesari Nandana | Dollywood Play | 26-May | Hindi |
| Unclenching the Fists | Mubi | 26-May | Russian |
| Renfield | BMS Stream | 26-May | English |
| Blood and Gold | Netflix | 26-May | English |
| Where the Tracks End | Netflix | 26-May | Spanish |
| Turn of the Tide | Netflix | 26-May | English |