These two Indian movies prove that big names and star power are indeed key driving factors in gaining massive viewership, particularly in the Indian OTT space—Nadaaniyan and Vidaamuyarchi. These prominent projects have also debuted on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Movies Weekly list (Non-English) for the week ending March 9.
Nadaaniyan, or should we say “a torture to the eyes of viewers,” featuring prominent newcomers Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor, ranks fifth on Netflix’s Global Top 10 Movies list (Non-English), with over 3.9 million views and more than 7.8 million hours of watch time.
The latest film from Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions has been widely panned for its unoriginal plot, drawing comparisons to familiar teen comedies. Reviewers found it lacking in charm, chemistry, and genuine wit. The portrayal of school life was deemed unrealistic and insensitive, with the screenplay criticised for being out of touch with modern realities.
What has caused substantial damage to Nadaaniyan is its lead performers (not actors), Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor. Their dreadful performances and inability to leave a strong, impactful presence on screen have hurt the movie significantly.
Ajith Kumar’s Vidaamuyarchi is another movie that has made it to Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Movies list. Compared to Nadaaniyan, Vidaamuyarchi is a far better movie. That being said, it is not as great as the actor’s previous blockbusters. The film excels in performances, action sequences, and visuals, but its narration and storyline have drawn criticism from both critics and audiences.
The newest Ajijth Kumar starrer ranks seventh on the list with over 3 million views and more than 7.7 million watch-hours.
Considering its reported budget of INR 200 to 225 crores, Vidaamuyarchi turned out to be a financial disaster, managing to earn only INR 138 crores from theatres. This forced the makers to drop the movie on Indian OTT right after its first month of theatrical release.
Nadaaniyan and Vidaamuyarchi are now available to stream on Netflix India. Stay tuned for more updates.