
This weekend can certainly be called a festival for OTT enthusiasts. In celebration of Independence Day on August 15th, several new films have been released for streaming, all set to entertain. Additionally, intriguing web series have also made their way to OTT platforms. What are these films? What are their plots? Where are they streaming? Let's find out in this special report.



Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra



The prominent OTT platform, ETV Win, has brought another family entertainer this week. Streaming since August 14, "Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra" features senior actor Naresh, Srilakshmi, and young actors Rag Mayoor and Priya Vadlamani. Directed by Anurag Palutla, the film is set against the backdrop of a middle-class family. The plot revolves around Nageswara Rao (Naresh), a math teacher struggling to support his family. After losing his job and with his daughter's wedding fixed, he needs money urgently. A potential buyer offers ₹60 lakhs for a house in Goa bought by his father Veeranjaneyulu. This leads the family to embark on a journey to Goa to sell the house. How does this journey impact Nageswara Rao's family?







Manorathangal



The Malayalam anthology series "Manorathangal," featuring stars like Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Fahadh Faasil, began streaming on Zee5 from August 15. Based on stories written by the renowned writer and director M.T. Vasudevan Nair, this series consists of nine stories and was directed by eight different directors. The participation of Malayalam stars has sparked considerable interest among viewers.







Pekamedalu



The Telugu movie "Pekamedalu," a crime comedy drama, has made its way to OTT just a month after its theatrical release. Starring Vinoth Kishan and Anusha Nuthula, and directed by Neelagiri Mamilla, it started streaming on ETV Win from August 15. The plot follows Lakshman and Varalakshmi, a couple living in an area by the Musi river. Despite being an engineering graduate, Lakshman remains jobless and dreams of earning millions by selling plots. When Swetha from the US approaches him, seeing him as a wealthy man, what unfolds next? What lesson does Lakshman learn?







OMG



The comedy horror film "OMG (O Manchi Ghost)" arrived on OTT platforms on August 15 and is available to watch on Aha. The movie, directed by Shankar K. Marthand, stars Vennela Kishore, Shakalaka Shankar, Nandita Swetha, Navya Gayak, and Naveen Neni. The plot centers around Chaitanya and his friends who need money and decide to kidnap Keerthi, the daughter of an MLA. They hide her in a bungalow haunted by a ghost that despises kidnappers. What happens next? Do they manage to escape from the bungalow or not?







Darling



Starring the talented actor Priyadarshi and Nabha Natesh, the romantic comedy entertainer "Darling" has been streaming on Hotstar since August 13. The plot revolves around Raghav (Priyadarshi), who dreams of marriage and a honeymoon in Paris since childhood. Anandi (Nabha Natesh), who suffers from multiple personality disorder, enters his life. What challenges does Raghav face with Anandi?







Blink



Starring Deekshith Shetty, who captivated Telugu audiences as a friend to Nani in the movie "Dasara," "Blink" is a science fiction thriller that premiered earlier this year. Streaming on Amazon Prime since August 12, the plot follows Apurva (Deekshith Shetty), a PG dropout who works part-time and falls in love with Swapna (Mandatha). A secret about his father turns Apurva's life upside down, leading him to time travel by blinking his eyes. What caused all this?







EVOL



The bold romantic crime thriller "EVOL" started streaming on Aha from August 15. Directed by Yogi Velagapudi, it stars Surya Srinivas, Shiva Boddu Raju, and Jennifer Emmanuel. The title "EVOL" is "LOVE" spelled backwards, reflecting the film's theme. The plot involves a girl who falls in love with two friends simultaneously and gets physically close to them. But did she truly love them, or was it a trap? How does this love story unfold?







My Perfect Husband



Starring Tamil veteran actor Sathyaraj, the family drama web series "My Perfect Husband" has been streaming on Hotstar since August 16, available in both Tamil and Telugu. Directed by Tamira, the plot focuses on Sathyaraj, a women’s college lecturer whose wife Rekha is proud that her husband never even glances at another woman. However, Sathyaraj had a crush in his youth, and years later, that woman re-enters his life. How does Rekha react when she learns about their past affair?






Weekend OTT Suggestions: A Festival for OTT Lovers with Exciting New Releases Streaming!


This weekend is a feast for OTT enthusiasts. Several superhit films that have seen blockbuster success in theaters have now made their way to streaming platforms, ready to entertain you. What are these films? Where are they streaming? What are their plots? Let's find out in this special report.



Kalki 2898 AD



Directed by Nag Ashwin and starring Prabhas, the film "Kalki 2898 AD" has achieved massive box office success, grossing over ₹1200 crores. This movie is streaming on Amazon Prime starting August 22 and can be watched in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. The Hindi version is available on Netflix. The plot revolves around Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan), cursed by Krishna during the battle of Kurukshetra, awaiting the arrival of Kalki. When he learns that Kalki will be born to a woman named Sumati (Deepika Padukone), he becomes her protector. Bhairava (Prabhas), residing in Kashi, tries to enter a heavenly complex knowing that capturing Sumati will grant him access. Will Bhairava succeed in protecting Sumati against Ashwatthama? What role does Supreme Yashkin (Kamal Haasan) play? How is the end of the Kali Yuga intertwined with the battle of Kurukshetra?







Raayan



Directed and acted by Tamil star Dhanush, "Raayan" features Sundeep Kishan, Dushara Vijayan, Prakash Raj, Kalidas Jayaram, and Aparna Balamurali in key roles. This film, recently released in theaters, has been successful and well-received. It started streaming on Amazon Prime from August 23. The plot follows Raayan (Dhanush), who lives with his two brothers and sister. His elder brother Muthuvel (Sundeep Kishan) frequently gets into trouble. When a local rowdy named Dorai unexpectedly dies, another rowdy, Seetharam, targets Raayan. Who killed Dorai? What happened to Raayan's brothers?







Grrr



Starring prominent Malayalam actors Kunchacko Boban and Suraj Venjaramoodu, "Grrr" is a survival comedy drama directed by Jay K. Released on June 14 in Malayalam, it has been performing decently at the box office. Now, it is streaming in Malayalam along with Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada on Disney+ Hotstar from August 20. The plot involves Regimen Nadar (Kunchacko Boban), who, distressed by his girlfriend’s departure, drunkenly jumps over a fence into a lion’s den. Zoo worker Haridas Nair (Suraj Venjaramoodu) attempts to rescue him, getting trapped himself. What efforts did the police and zoo officials make to save them? How did they escape the lion’s clutches?







Viraaji



Varun Sandesh's latest attempt, "Viraaji," directed by Aadyant Harsh, hit theaters on the 2nd of this month and has already hit OTT platforms. It started streaming on Aha from August 22. The plot revolves around ten individuals from various professions who arrive at a dilapidated mansion for different reasons, realizing they have been lured into a trap. Two try to escape and are gruesomely murdered. Meanwhile, Andy (Varun Sandesh), addicted to drugs, arrives at the mansion. What unfolds with Andy’s arrival? Who lured them to the mansion? Did they all safely escape?







Toofan



Starring Vijay Antony of "Bichagadu" fame, "Toofan" was released in Telugu on August 9 and quickly made its way to Amazon Prime. The Tamil version had already been available on OTT the previous week. Starting from August 23, the Telugu version is also streaming. The plot follows Saleem (Vijay Antony), an Indian secret agency agent who travels to the Andaman Islands for solitude. In saving a dog, he meets Soumya (Megha Akash), who has troubles with a local money lender named Dali. What are these troubles? How does Saleem support her? How does he confront Dali?







Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra



Along with the above-mentioned films, other interesting movies released last week are also available on OTT. "Veeranjaneyulu Vihara Yatra," a family entertainer, started streaming on ETV Win from August 14. If you haven’t watched it yet, this weekend might be a perfect time. The plot centers around Nageswararao (Naresh), a math teacher who struggles financially when he loses his job just as his daughter's wedding is fixed. He then receives an offer of ₹60 lakhs for a house his father owns in Goa, leading the family to travel there. How does this journey affect Nageswararao's family?







Pekamedalu



Another intriguing film, "Pekamedalu," a crime comedy drama featuring Vinoth Kishan and Anusha Krishna, directed by Neelagiri Mamilla, began streaming on ETV Win from August 15. The plot revolves around Lakshman and Varalakshmi, a couple living in a riverside slum. Despite his engineering background, Lakshman daydreams about selling plots to become rich. He becomes close to Shweta, a wealthy returnee from the US. What happens next? What lessons does Lakshman learn?







EVOL



The bold romantic crime thriller "EVOL," directed by Yogi Velagapudi, featuring Surya Srinivas, Shiva Boddu Raju, and Jennifer Emmanuel, started streaming on Aha from August 15. The title "EVOL," derived from reversing the spelling of "LOVE," hints at the film’s thematic twist. The plot follows a girl who falls in love with two friends simultaneously and becomes physically close to them. But did she truly love them, or was it a trap? How does this love story unfold?







Darling



Starring talented actor Priyadarshi and Nabha Natesh, "Darling" is a romantic comedy entertainer streaming on Hotstar from August 13. The plot revolves around Raghav (Priyadarshi), who dreams of marriage and a honeymoon in Paris from a young age. His life takes a turn when Anandi (Nabha Natesh), who suffers from multiple personality disorder, enters his life. What challenges does Raghav face with Anandi?






Weekend OTT Suggestions: Guaranteed Double Entertainment This Weekend!


Cast: Vinoth Kishan, Anusha Krishna, Rithika Srinivas, Jagan Yogi Raj, Anusha Nootal, Ganesh Tipparaju, Naren Yadav, and others.



Directed by: Neelagiri Mammilla



Music by: Smaran Sai



Cinematography: Haricharan K.



Editing: Srujan Adusumilli, Hamza Ali



Producer: Rakesh Varre



Production Company: Crazy Ants Productions



Release Date: July 19, 2024



Starring Vinoth Kishan and Anusha Krishna, the film 'Peka Medalu' was produced by Crazy Ants Productions. Directed by Neelagiri Mammilla, the movie made its way to the audience on July 19th. Did the film manage to captivate its audience? Let’s find out.







Plot



Lakshman (Vinoth Kishan) and Varalakshmi (Anusha Krishna) reside in a slum along the Musi River. Despite holding an engineering degree, Lakshman remains unemployed, spending his days dreaming of striking it rich by dealing in real estate. Meanwhile, Varalakshmi shoulders the family’s financial responsibilities. During this period, Lakshman encounters Shweta (Rithika Srinivas), an American investor searching for real estate opportunities. Attempting to capitalize on this, Lakshman masquerades as a wealthy investor. He even exploits his wife’s name to secure loans from the local community. The plot thickens when Varalakshmi discovers his deceit. What actions does she take? How does Shweta's husband respond to Lakshman’s schemes? And do Lakshman’s lofty ambitions ever materialize? For the answers, one must visit the theaters.







Performances



This is Tamil actor Vinoth Kishan’s first direct film in Telugu. He fits well into the role of Lakshman, convincingly playing the part of a husband wasting time building castles in the air. On the other hand, Anusha Krishna excels as Varalakshmi, portraying the struggles of a middle-class wife with natural ease. Rithika Srinivas also delivers a solid performance as the NRI lady. The movie primarily revolves around these three characters. Other actors in the film also impress within their roles.







Direction



Director Neelagiri Mammilla has attempted to showcase the lives of the impoverished in the slums of Hyderabad through this film. 'Peka Medalu' conveys that just like the castles in the air, the lives of those who believe in them are similarly intangible. The film depicts how the circumstances in the slums lead children astray while also infusing humor to carry the middle and lower-class emotions. Furthermore, the director has made efforts to portray women's empowerment, suggesting that nothing is impossible with hard work. The first half of the movie flows smoothly, though the second half feels a bit dragged. However, the scenes from the pre-climax to the end title elevate the film to another level. The absence of commercial elements, a routine story, and some scenes feeling repetitive are drawbacks of the movie.







Technically



On the technical front, the music is good. The editor could have been sharper, especially in making some scenes in the second half crisper. The cinematography is commendable, and the production values are high, giving even this small-scale film a rich look.







Plus Points



- Performances by the main cast



- Narrative and screenplay



- Messaging



Minus Points



- Routine story



- Lack of commercial elements



Telugu.yousay.tv Rating: 3/5


Peka Medalu Movie Review: A Heartfelt Tale of Middle-Class Emotions!


This week, smaller films are set to create a buzz in theaters, promising delightful entertainment for audiences. Additionally, OTT platforms are highlighting a range of interesting movies and series. Let’s take a look at the films and web series scheduled for release this week.



Movies Releasing in Theaters



Darling



Starring Priyadarshi and Nabha Natesh in lead roles, the unique romantic comedy entertainer 'Darling' is directed by Aswin Ram. Produced under the Prime Show Entertainment banner by K. Niranjan Reddy and Smt. Chaitanya, the film is set to release globally on July 19.







Ramam Raghavam



A bilingual film 'Ramam Raghavam' directed by comedian Dhanraj, features Samuthirakani and Dhanraj as father and son. This film, with a strong father-son sentiment, will release in Telugu and Tamil on July 19.







Peka Medalu



Starring Vinoth Kishan and Anusha Krishna, 'Peka Medalu' is produced by Crazy Ants Productions. Directed by Neelagiri Mamilla, the film is set to greet audiences on July 19 and is expected to appeal to all viewer segments, as stated by producer Rakesh Varre.







Crime Reel



Featuring Siri Choudary, Pink Pak Surya, Jabardasth Abhi, and Bharath in principal roles, 'Crime Reel' marks the directorial debut of Sanjana Anne, previously known as an actress in several films. Releasing on June 19, the film portrays how social media is influencing the youth, a theme that resonates widely, according to director Sanjana.







Movies/Series Releasing on OTT



The Goat Life (Aadujeevitham)



After the blockbuster 'Salaar,' Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran stars in 'The Goat Life' (Aadujeevitham), directed by award-winning director Blessy. Featuring Amala Paul, KR Gokul, and Jimmy Jean Louis in key roles, this survival adventure film was released on March 28 and achieved tremendous success, grossing over ₹150 crores worldwide. It is set to stream from July 19 on Netflix in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi.







TitleCategoryLanguagePlatformRelease DateWanda RuseSeriesEnglishNetflixJuly 15T・P BONSeriesJapaneseNetflixJuly 17The Green Glow Gang 2SeriesEnglishNetflixJuly 17Kobla Kay Season 6SeriesEnglishNetflixJuly 18Tribhuvan Mishra CA TopperSeriesHindiNetflixJuly 18Sweet Home S 3SeriesKorean/EnglishNetflixJuly 19Nagendran’s HoneymoonsSeriesTelugu DubHotstarJuly 18BahishkaranaSeriesTeluguZee 5July 19BarzakhSeriesHindiZee 5July 19HotspotMovieTelugu DubAhaJuly 17My Spy: The Eternal CityMovieEnglishAmazon&nbsp;July 18Betty Law FeeSeriesEnglish/ SpanishAmazon&nbsp;July 19


This Week’s OTT &amp;&nbsp; Telugu Movie Releases (19th July)

Pekamedalu

పేక మేడలు

Starring Vinoth Kishan and Anusha Krishna, the film ‘Peka Medalu‘ was produced by Crazy Ants Productions. Directed by Neelagiri Mammilla, the movie made its way to the audience on July 19th. Did the film manage to captivate its audience? Let’s find out.



హీరోగా వినోద్‌ కిషన్‌ (Vinod Kishan), హీరోయిన్‌గా అనూష కృష్ణ (Anusha Krishna) నటించిన చిత్రం ‘పేకమేడలు’ (Peka Medalu Movie Review). క్రేజీ యాంట్స్‌ ప్రొడక్షన్స్‌ ఈ సినిమాను నిర్మించింది.

YouSay Review

Peka Medalu Movie Review: A Heartfelt Tale of Middle-Class Emotions!

Starring Vinoth Kishan and Anusha Krishna, the film ‘Peka Medalu‘ was produced by Crazy Ants Productions. Directed by Neelagiri Mammilla, the movie ma...read more

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