Culture & Living
Diwali week is here to light up your watchlist with exciting binge-worthy content
As the Festival of Lights inches closer, so does a collection of fresh releases to sink your teeth into. Sit back and enjoy brand new Bollywood content with Laxmii, Ludo, and Chhalaang. The Crown resumes the British monarchy's story with a fourth season, and animation lovers too are in for a treat as World War II series, The Liberator, makes its way online. Between online get-togethers and intimate celebrations in your bubbles, here are the shows and movies you can squeeze in to get a bit of R&R.
Akshay Kumar returns to the horror-comedy genre with this revenge tale where he plays Asif, a common man who is possessed by the spirit of a transgender woman. Unbeknownst to him, Asif slowly becomes effeminate as he gradually transforms into the ghost, Laxmii. Situations arise when his family witnesses this unexplained behaviour, but Laxmii's return to the human world is motivated by something severe—a relentless thirst for vengeance. It is an official Hindi remake of the Tamil film, Kanchana.
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
Christmas is a time for surprises and both Dash and Lily, who are strangers to each other, find their fates entangled via a red book of dares. A sceptical Dash finds the said notebook in a New York City bookstore which Lily places there to connect with someone special. The two get to know more about the other as they exchange dares, realising they have contrasting personalities. However, this doesn't stop them from wanting to meet and take this unique holiday romance further.
Streaming on Netflix
Prakash Jha's original series returns with a sinister second outing as it dives deeper into the grand life of a wicked Godman, Kashipur waale Baba Nirala (Bobby Deol). His mighty devotional empire stands as a facade for his foul passions that include molesting women, supplying illegal drugs and other shady businesses, which start coming to light. The authorities try to close in on him but to get past Baba's devotees is an uphill task.
Streaming on MX Player
This harrowing documentary showcases the events surrounding the wrongful arrest of an African-American teenager, Sean Ellis, in 1993. Post three successive trials, he was found guilty of murdering a Boston police officer and sentenced to life behind bars. After 22 years in prison, he's given a chance to be a part of a fourth trial due to lack of evidence connecting him to the case. This series follows Sean's journey as he tries to prove his innocence for a crime he did not commit and also highlights the underlying corruption and racism in the American justice system.
Streaming on Netflix
An inspiring animated series set during World War II, The Liberator shines a light on one of the bloodiest battles fought during America's invasion of Europe. It narrates the adventures of the 3rd Battalion of the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Division, also known as the Thunderbirds. Comprising of Native Americans, Mexican Americans and Cowboys from the southern plains, the unit landed in Sicily on July 10, 1943, and was involved in brutal combat for 500 days in Nazi-infested terrain.
Streaming on Netflix
Nedumaaran Rajangam (Suriya) is a former Army officer who's had a modest upbringing but dreams big. He conjures up an idea of launching a low budget airline for people who cannot afford expensive airfares and goes to war against a corrupt system to make this dream a reality. His journey is dented with setbacks and failures, but his will to succeed is bulletproof. The film has been inspired by the life of Air Deccan founder, GR Gopinath.
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Based on the butterfly effect, Ludo takes the concept of coincidence and flips it on its head. This black comedy film is an anthology of four crime stories that intersect in unexpected ways. The narrative ties together the lives of a gangster, a puppeteer, a Mithun Chakraborty fan, and a couple of hospital workers, into a twisted mess. It boasts of a stellar cast featuring Abhishek Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Rohit Saraf, Fatima Sana Sheikh, Sanya Malhotra, Pearle Maaney, Inayat Verma, Asha Negi and Shalini Vats.
Streaming on Netflix
This adaptation of Romain Gary's novel, The Life Before Us, narrates a heartfelt account of a holocaust survivor and an orphan boy, in Italy. The former, Madame Rosa, runs a daycare centre and takes in the notorious 12-year-old Momo from the streets. They get off on the wrong foot as the boy struggles to fit in. However, their bond grows stronger over time as the two rediscover the meaning of family.
Streaming on Netflix
Rajkummar Rao gets into the shoes of a complacent PE teacher, Montu Hooda, who is not very proficient at his job. With an already laid-back attitude, he ropes in further distractions by falling for the new computer teacher, Neelima Mehra (Nushrat Bharucha). Things seem to be jolly until a rival steps into the picture. The school hires the charming and skilled Mr Singh (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) for the same position as Montu, which rubs him the wrong way. Determined to prove his worth in front of his students and his love, he steps up his game and locks horns with Singh.
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
The acclaimed royal family drama is back with a new season, and it is going to be set during the late 1970s. Queen Elizabeth is determined to secure the line of succession by finding a fitting bride for Prince Charles. Furthermore, the political scenario grows tense as the Queen gets into a major disagreement with Britain's first female Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, over her divisive policies.
Streaming on Netflix