Tamil
Ponmagal Vandhaal
Ponmagal vandhal was the first ever film to release on OTT platform after the closure of theatres. The film starring Jyothika and Bhagyaraj among others tackled the rapes and other sexual abuses women face in the country but struggle to bring it to light. The film was directed by JJ Frederick and produced by 2D Entertainment.
Mookuthi Amman
Bringing some light-hearted humour to this heavy year is RJ Balaji’s style of films. Starring Nayanthara and RJ Balaji in the lead the film sees the Aramm actress in a never-seen-before role of a Goddess who tackles with new-age godmen who call themselves messengers of God and rob people of their money, all this with impeccable humour from Urvashi.
Soorarai Pottru
Easily the biggest OTT superhit of the year would have to be Suriya’s Soorarai Pottru also starring Aparna Balamurali in the lead. Leave it to a woman director like Sudha Kongara to treat a story with so much valor yet bring a lot of sensitivity to the characters. Every frame of the film was loved by the fans and it was easily Suriya’s best in a very long time. GV Prakash’s music simply added the cherry on top to the film.
Putham Pudhu Kaalai
Five feel-good anthologies, five feel-good relationships and five feel-good stories from five talented directors is the gist of this first ever OTT anthology Putham Pudhu Kaalai. Sudha Kongara, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Karthik Subbaraj, Suhasini Maniratnam and Rajiv Menon brought five different treatments of relationships that made a good entertainer. The film starred Kalidas Jayaram, Kalyani Priyadharshan, Bobby Simha, MS Basker, Ritu Varma, Suhasini Maniratnam, Anu Hasan, Shruti Haasan and Andrea Jeremiah among others.
Paava Kadhaigal
Much contrary to what Putham Pudhu Kaalai was, Paava Kadhaigal brought out the dark corners of our society we often ignore to talk about. Directed by Sudha Kongara, Vignesh Shivan, Gautham Vasudev Menon and Vetrimaaran, the film starred Kalidas Jayaram, Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, Kalki koechlin, Anjali, Simran, Gautham Menon, Sai Pallavi and Prakash Raj in the lead among others. Sudha’s film talked about the acceptance of trans women in the society back in the 80’s, Vignesh Shivan’s film talks about the power of love above all, Gautham’s film handles child abuse and the stigma surrounding it. Finally, Vetrimaaran’s film handles honor killing. The films were hard-hitting and dark but is the most recent huge hit in Tamil.
Telugu
1. Krishna and his Leela
The first massive entertainer on the OTT platform was definitely Krishna and his Leela. Produced by Rana Daggubati, the film starred Siddhu Jonnalagadda, Shraddha Srinath and Shalini Vadnikatti in the lead. The film revolves around Krishna and the two women he falls in love with. Unlike any normal love story, this narrative is grounded and keeps things at a neutral pace. The film was directed by Ravikanth Parepu.
2. Middle Class Melodies
This is Anand Deverakonda’s debut into the Telugu film industry also starring Varsha Bollamma. The film, also an entertainer, is a feel-good story with a very simple yet engaging narrative. We see a young man with self-confidence and dreams put to his place and work hard. The film was directed by Vinod Anantoju and comes under the comedy-drama genre.
3. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna
Yet another romantic-comedy drama directed by Srikanth Nagothi stars Naveen Chandra and Saloni Luthra. The narrative revolves around two individuals in their 30’s who get into a relationship and figure out their individuality. Bhanumathi’s assertive character was much appreciated by the audience.
4. Uma Maheshwara Ugra Roopasya
This is a remake of the Malayalam film Maheshinte Prathikaram and undoubtedly this was a faithful remake. The film stars Satyadev in the lead role. As a result of getting into a conflict, Mahesh creates a rather weird challenge involving a slipper. The movie was directed by Venkatesh Maha.
5. colour photo
Set up in the 90’s atmosphere, the film revolves around two young individuals who fall in love and as a result the conflicts they face as a result of their colour and caste. The film directed bu Sundeep raj, stars Suhas and Chandini in the lead. This was also one of the biggest OTT hits of Telugu and easily an audience favourite.
Malayalam
1. C U Soon
Starring Fahadh Faasil, Roshan Matthew and Dharshana Rajendran the film is completey shot via an iPhone, also know as a computer-screening film. The film is a romantic thriller that tackles around the sexual abuse women face when they travel abroad to unknown destinations when promised a good salary. The film was a massive hit and rated one of the most gripping narratives of 2020.
2. Love
Directed by Khalid Rahman, it is a dark-thriller film that comes under the black-comedy genre. The film stars Rajisha Vijayan and Shine Tom Chacko in the lead. The film has been critically acclaimed and released on the OTT platform on October 15th.
3. Maniyarayile Ashokan
The film directed by Shamzu Zayba, the film stars Jacob Gregory, Anupama Parameswaran and SV Krishna Shankar in lead roles. The storyline revolves around a man whose horoscope states that he has bad fortune and that finding a future wife is going to be nearly impossible. However, he is ready to fight against all the odds to create the family that he always wanted. This may not be a critically acclaimed film but has been an entertainer among the audience.
4. Halal Love Story
Directed by Zakariya Mohammed, the film stars Indrajeeth Sukumaran, Grace Antony in the lead. This was one of the biggest hits in Malayalam and a feel-good movie loved by all and improvises their love for cinema and life. Everyone takes with them a big grin and a glow in their heart after watching a film like this one. The story has been carefully curated with cheekiness without hurting any religious sentiments.
