While multiple OTT platforms have released Malayalam movies directly on their platforms for streaming regularly for months now, many forget that, 2021 is only the second year since Malayalam film makers started to release films directly-for-OTTs. It has been a tough journey for the South Indian film Industry, with Tollywood and Kollywood having a big head start in the OTT’s South Indian market and streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus Hotstar were only interested in releasing Telugu and Tamil content on their platforms. After the release of many good films on various streaming platforms (both big and small), Malayalam films have now become a pan-Indian favorite. So, let us take a look at 5 Must Watch Malayalam films that have premiered on OTT platforms so far:
5. C U Soon
While C U Soon was not the first Malayalam film to release directly for streaming, it was the first successful Malayalam film to release on an OTT platform. We follow Kevin, a software engineer working in Kerala, being forced by his relatives to track down the missing fiancé of his cousin, in the United Arab Emirates. While he doesn’t find much at first, he unexpectedly stumbles upon one of her darkest secrets. This movie can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video.
4. Joji
This movie was inspired by Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. The youngest son of a wealthy family dreams of making it big without really trying to hard. Driven by greed, he makes a cunning plan to do just that and he implements it right after an unexpected family event. This movie can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video.
3. Malik
The third film on this list to feature Fahadh Faasil in a lead role, this movie cemented his status as an OTT superstar and he has now become Mollywood’s go-to actor for big budget direct-to-OTT releases. The movie is set in a fictional coastal village where a young man, Sulaiman rises to power and uses it to better the lives of his fellow villagers. Stream this movie on Amazon Prime Video.
2. Drishyam 2
The only sequel film on this list is also the only Malayalam film to release directly for streaming which features one of the two Malayalam megastars. The film picks up where it left off at the end of the film’s prequel, Drishyam. Georgekutty, Rani, Anju, and Anu’s lives come to standstill once more when new evidence comes to light regarding Varun’s disappearance. Check out this film on Amazon Prime Video.
1. The Great Indian Kitchen
This movie was always going to top this list. A feature film which got rejected by Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, released on a relatively unknown streaming platform (Neestream) and blew up overnight, around the country. This film looks into the life of a newly married woman, who struggles to play the submissive housewife that her husband and in-laws expect her to be. This movie can be viewed on Amazon Prime Video and Neestream.