Culture & Living

8 new movies, shows, and documentaries to watch this week on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar

The first week of December comes loaded with a surplus of fresh content

The year is set to enter its final month, and we can’t wait for it to be over. However, as 2020 slowly draws to a close, it is not short on binge-worthy releases which are waiting to grace the digital space in the coming days. Go behind the scenes of the Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives with Netflix’s latest reality show or watch Swara Bhaskar make her mark as a stand-up comic in Bhaag Beanie Bhaag. Cater to your inner child as the live-action remake of Disney’s Mulan finally makes itself available to Indian audiences. So, clear out your busy work schedules because the next seven days require due attention. 

Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives (Released November 27)

Another feather has been added to the Indian reality show collection with Karan Johar's latest online production venture. Tag along with the cameras as they follow Maheep Kapoor, Neelam Kothari, Seema Khan, and Bhavana Pandey while they hustle through their glamorous daily lives. These Bollywood wives have persisted behind the scenes for far too long, and this series catapults them into the limelight, showcasing their ‘fabulous’ professions, families, and friendships.

Streaming on Netflix

Alien Worlds (December 2)

A miniseries that perfectly blends science and fiction, Alien Worlds constructs a potential reality focused on the existence of alien species across the cosmos. It uses CGI along with actual documentary footage to predict the feeding, functioning, and reproduction of possible extraterrestrial life forms, based on earthly principles of life. 

Streaming on Netflix

BomBhaat (December 3) 

Bearer of bad luck since infancy, Vicky's life is cursed with a failing relationship and numerous unfortunate occurrences. He soon unearths his lucky charm when he meets Maya, but a shocking revelation throws his concepts of reality out the window. Maya is revealed to be a humanoid robot, who is being hunted by 'The Mad Scientist' for reasons Vicky needs to figure out before it's too late.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Bhaag Beanie Bhaag (December 4)

Swara Bhaskar is all set to play Beanie, an exemplary daughter who always does what she's told. Unfortunately for her parents, she reaches her saturation point on the day of her wedding and flees to pursue a career in stand-up comedy. Initially vulnerable and alone, Beanie discovers the meaning of independence as she tries to carve a career for herself amidst nagging parents, an overbearing boyfriend, and cutthroat competition.

Streaming on Netflix

Bombay Rose (December 4)

The brainchild of award-winning animator and filmmaker, Gitanjali Rao, each frame of this animated film has been hand-painted by 60 artists over 18 months. It depicts the story of a young woman residing in the streets of Mumbai, who is faced with a choice to save her family or pursue her love. The narrative aims to convey our society's hypocrisy as it showcases that the concepts of love and other choices, which are applauded by the masses in films, can destroy you in reality. 

Streaming on Netflix

Mank (December 4)

1941 saw the release of Citizen Kane which is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. Mank is a biographical drama that dives deeper into the making of this masterpiece and portrays the life of the film's writer, Herman J Mankiewicz (played by Gary Oldman) and the issues he faces as he tries to complete the Citizen Kane screenplay. The narrative also brings his rift with director Orson Welles, over screenwriting credits, into the limelight. To stay true to the theme of 1930s Hollywood, Mank has been made in monochrome.

Streaming on Netflix

Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers (December 4)

With millions of viewers tuning in to watch, the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) was a tremendous success and gave due attention and credit to the sport with its inception in 2014. The Jaipur Pink Panthers, owned by Abhishek Bachchan, were crowned the first-ever champions but their subsequent seasons were rather disappointing. This sports documentary follows the franchise's journey as it tries to reclaim the crown of PKL champions after five years during the 2018-19 season while also showcasing the heritage and growth of kabaddi over the years.

Streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Mulan (December 4)

The live-action rendition of Disney's 1998 classic is a worthy retelling of Hua Mulan's tale. Born in Imperial China, Mulan's parents want nothing more than for her to be married to a suitable husband, but fate has other plans. Imperial soldiers show up in her village, recruiting men to fight the Rourans, and her frail father is forced to enlist due to a lack of sons. Convinced that he has no chance of survival, Mulan escapes with his armour, horse, sword, and disguises herself as a male warrior to join the army. The story is inspired by a Chinese folktale knows as The Ballad of Mulan.

Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar

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