The releases of this month’s efforts in the OTT platforms are several in quantity just like the previous month. But is there something that makes any difference compared to last month?
As per the filmography, the Malayalam industry has been able to bring a blend of content-driven flicks that couldn’t do well at the box office due to a lack of marketing and web series that are direct-to-stream types, that are obvious.
‘Anandapuram Diaries’ is a drama directed by Jaya Jose Raj, following Nandini, a middle-aged woman who returns to Law College in the fictional ‘Anandapuram’ after tough life experiences.
Despite its low theatrical response since its release on March 1st, the film hopes to appeal to OTT audiences with its transition from feel-good drama to murder mystery, though it suffers from weak dubbing and a dragging screenplay. It’s streaming on Manorama MAX.
‘Vivekanandan Viralaanu’ is a romantic family drama about a married government employee leading a double life, disrupting the lives of two women around him. While performances by Shine Tom Chacko, Swasika, and Grace Antony are commendable, the narrative feels repetitive. This film is available on the Amazon Prime Video platform.
‘Jai Mahendran,’ a comedy-satirical drama directed by Srikanth Mohan, follows a deputy tahsildar as he navigates his perception of the world. Despite a dragging narrative, it received praise for its humor and performances, streaming on the Sony LIV platform.
‘Kondal’ (Raincloud) is an action-drama thriller directed by Ajit Mampally, featuring Antony Varghese. The film has intense action but suffers from weak storytelling and character development, appealing mostly to niche audiences. This movie is Available to watch on Netflix.
Followed by the second half of the month, ‘1000 Babies’ is a mystery crime web series directed by Najeem Koya, featuring a strong storyline and gripping pace, despite some casting drawbacks. It’s currently streaming on the Disney+ Hotstar platform.
Also, ‘Soul Stories’ is a female-oriented anthology web series by debutant Sanil Kalathil, exploring women’s challenges. However, it lacks depth and cohesion, which is available to be seen on the Manorama MAX platform.
‘Gaganachari’ (Eng. Celestial Traveller) is a Malayalam science fiction comedy film directed by Arun Chandu and co-written with Siva Sai. It was produced by Vinayaka Ajith under Ajith Vinayaka Films and Krishand Films.
As per the premise, the story is set in dystopian Kerala in 2043, where three bachelors offer refuge to an extraterrestrial female fugitive. Presented as a mockumentary, it combines social satire and political commentary within a science fiction framework.
Fortunately, the flick stood out due to its concept design, story idea, and performances despite their low response on big screens. The movie is streaming on the Amazon Prime Video platform.
In a nutshell, the Malayalam industry could bring original and more direct-to-stream efforts that were remarkable and marginal at the same time with an above-mediocre performance for the month. Stay tuned in Binged for more updates.