• Source:JND

My OTT Recommendations For Week: Sometimes weeks feel long, and sometimes they are really heavy. The perfect escape can be a good movie or some uplifting music to help you heal and feel better. I have curated a list of personal OTT recommendations in an order that moves from intriguing, intense and ending with light yet gripping storylines. Every movie on this list is something I believe every person should watch at least once in their life. The list blends some realistic portrayals of life and elements of horror, mystery, and supernatural thrillers. Read on to explore a week-long OTT movie watch order that will carry you through all moods.

1. Masaan

Masaan introduces us to real-life pain and the harsh realities of life, but with empathy, not shock. Released in 2015, the film marked the acting debut of Vicky Kaushal and the directorial debut of Neeraj Ghaywan. Set against the backdrop of Varanasi's spiritual ghats, the film revolves around themes of life, death, fate, caste boundaries, grief, social stigma and finding hope amidst despair. The film follows two parallel stories that eventually connect on the banks of the Ganga.

One story follows Devi, played by Richa Chadha, trapped by societal morals and stigma and dealing with trauma and her father, Vidyadhar Pathak (Sanjay Mishra). The other story is of a low-caste boy, Deepak (Vicky Kaushal), who falls in love with an upper-caste girl, Shaalu, portrayed by Shweta Tripathi.

Why watch Masaan? The film is full of raw emotional realism, interesting intersecting narratives, compelling performances and portrayal of Indian society’s nuances. You can catch Masaan on JioHotstar and Amazon Prime Video.

ALSO READ: Vicky Kaushal Picks His First Movie To Show His Son, Admits ‘It’s A Hard Film To Watch…’

2. Baramulla

Already halfway through the week, let's dive into something more intense, a film that combines personal emotions with social harsh reality.  Baramulla, featuring Manav Kaul and Bhasha Sumbli in the lead, delivers exactly that. The film set the story deep into the valley, but avoided romanticising about Kashmir like many others and instead depicts the grim realities- curfews, terrorism and the trauma of a missing child. Baramulla packs a lot into its 2-hour runtime. With strong writing and a gripping storyline, it makes it an engaging watch. 

Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, Baramulla highlights how the present generation of Kashmiris continues to suffer due to historical injustices faced by Kashmiri Pandits. Baramulla is streaming on Netflix. The film is produced by Aditya Dhar along with other producers. 

ALSO READ: Baramulla Review: Manav Kaul Shines In This Kashmir-Based Supernatural Thriller But Is It Truly Worth The Hype?

 
 
 
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3. Haider

Filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj experimented by combining Shakespeare’s Hamlet with the insurgency in Kashmir. Released in 2014, Haider is not just an ordinary film; it is a cinematic poetry, a raw and tragic portrayal of betrayal and revenge. Shahid Kapoor gave one of the best performances of his career. Besides him, the film also stars Tabu, Kay Kay Menon, late Irrfan Khan and Shraddha Kapoor in key roles. 

Why is this movie on the recommendation list? It is a film that brings together powerful performances, grief, political subtext, love, betrayal, intense emotional arc and cinematic reinterpretation of tragedy in the Kashmir valley all in one. Haider is available for streaming on ZEE5. 

4. Ankhon Dekhi

Next on the list is Ankhon Dekhi, which was released in 2013. The film is about a middle-aged man, Bauji, played by Sanjay Mishra, who believes only what he sees or experiences personally, rejecting assumptions and conventional wisdom set by society. Set in the backdrop of Old Delhi, Bauji's habit of questioning everything he sees begins to affect his family, friends and leads him to self-discovery. The film combines emotional realism with a touch of humour. The portrayal of a slice of life story that lingers in our thoughts, urging us to question our own perceptions and societal norms.

Why watch this film, Ankhon Dekhi? This is a movie that explores one of the major themes of perception vs reality, challenging the idea that what we accept as truth is not always accurate. Sanjay Mishra's character perfectly shows how our personal philosophy clashes with societal expectations, surely making it a thought-provoking and memorable cinematic experience. The movie is available to stream on JioHostar.

5. Aligarh 

Let's end the week with an impactful ending that will make you sit back, think and feel the silent heartbreak with no melodrama, just life and human truth. This film, I believe, features Manoj Bajpayee's most understated performances, carried with dignity that sticks with you for a long. Directed by Hansal Mehta and also stars Rajkummar Rao, the biographical drama is based on the true life story of Dr Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, a university professor whose life takes a drastic turn after his sexuality is exposed, leading to suspension and public humiliation. 

Why watch Aligarh? Director Hansal Mehta, with his simple yet powerful storytelling style, draws on an intimate and realistic story of humanity, empathy and society's fear of difference. It pulls you deeper into the character's inner world. This might not be a popcorn entertainer movie, but a film to be felt and remembered. It may change how you look at people, privacy, and compassion. Watch Aligarh on the OTT platform Zee5.


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