Tamil movie Habeebi is all set to arrive on OTT after its theatrical release. Directed by Meera Kathiravan, it will start streaming on SonyLIV from September 25. The romance drama opened in theatres on June 12, 2026. It has also attracted attention for its 9.2 IMDb rating.
Here is everything to know about Habeebi before its OTT release, including its cast, plot and reviews:
| Metrics | Details |
| Movie Name | Habeebi |
| Language | Tamil |
| Genre | Romantic Drama |
| Theatrical Release Date | June 12 |
| Runtime | 2 hours 30 mins |
| OTT Platform | SonyLIV |
| OTT Release Date | September 25 |
Habeebi Cast And Plot Details
Habeebi stars Kasthuri Raja as Mohammad Yousuf. Esha M plays his son Abuthahir, while Malavika Manoj plays Nilofar. The cast also includes Dhanasree Sudhakaran, Arulkumar and Anusreya Rajan.
The Tamil romance drama, set in a town near Tirunelveli, spans four decades. It follows a family navigating changing times, traditions, and relationships.
At the centre of the story is Mohammad Yousuf, a handloom weaver who wants to keep his ancestral craft alive even as the industry starts fading. His son Abuthahir is caught between his family's legacy and his love for Nilofar.
The story also touches on Gulf migration and how it changed families' lives in the region. Letters, cassette recordings and long-awaited reunions become part of the love story.
Habeebi also looks at the changing traditions within a Tamil Muslim family and the struggles faced by those trying to hold on to an older way of life.
V S Mohamed Ameen wrote, while Meera Kathiravan directed the movie. Mahesh Muthuswami is the cinematographer, and Sam C.S. composed the music.
Habeebi Movie Reviews
Habeebi received positive responses during its theatrical run.
Dhanush also praised the movie and his father Kasthuri Raja's performance after watching it in June 2026.
He wrote (translated from Tamil), "Due to continuous shooting schedules, I was able to watch Habeebi only today. I am proud of my father for stepping into a completely unfamiliar world and living the role of Yusuf so convincingly and wholeheartedly."
The actor added, "My congratulations to director Meera Kathiravan and the entire team for not only bringing out outstanding performances from my father and all the other actors but also for delivering a truly remarkable cinematic experience."
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A user on X (@umashankar82721) called Habeebi an outstanding movie which depicted the life and culture of the Tamil Muslim community completely and authentically. "Overall, it is a beautiful, feel-good, and emotional film. A must-watch movie! Rating: 4/5."
A movie reviewer (@HdUpdatesMovie1) called the movie a good emotional romantIc drama that had a heartfelt narrative. "Habeebi is an emotional romantic drama that blends love, faith and family emotions into a heartwarming and culturally rooted narrative," read a part of the review on X (formerly Twitter).
Habeebi Budget And Box Office Collection
Habeebi had a modest theatrical run. According to Sacnilk, it earned ₹2.33 crore gross at the box office, with its India net collection standing at ₹2.11 crore after 39 days.
The movie opened with ₹8 lakh on its first day. Its collection dropped to ₹2 lakh on the second day before rising to ₹35 lakh on the third day. The third day remained its highest single-day collection during the theatrical run.
Habeebi did not cross the ₹1 crore mark on any single day. It eventually ended its theatrical run with around ₹1 lakh on day 31, according to the reported day-wise figures on Sacnilk.
There is no confirmed budget listed by Sacnilk, and the site does not assign a box-office verdict to the film. If reports of a ₹7 crore budget are accurate, its reported ₹2.33 crore gross would mean that Habeebi did not recover its reported production cost through its theatrical earnings.
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Habeebi OTT Release Date And Platform
Habeebi will premiere on SonyLIV on September 25, 2026.
How to watch on SonyLIV?
1. Open the SonyLIV app or web browser
2. Log in with an active premium subscription
3. Search for Habeebi or navigate to the 'new releases
4. Add it to your watchlist so you get notified the moment it goes live
It is expected to be available in Tamil along with dubbed versions in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi, according to current OTT release listings.
FAQ
1. When and where to watch Habeebi?
The Tamil romance drama Habeebi will be streaming on SonyLIV from September 25 onwards.
2. Is Habeebi a hit or a flop?
The movie turned out to be a box office flop if the reported budget of ₹7 crore has any truth to it.