Cinema has evolved into a significant form of entertainment, particularly with the rise of OTT platforms, allowing viewers to enjoy new movies weekly from the comfort of their homes. However, the frequent release of films means that some are inevitably overlooked, with even high-quality content often going underappreciated. YouSay highlights these films in this special report. After watching these movies, you might find yourself wondering, “Why did I miss these for so long?” Which movies are they? What sets them apart? What are their stories about? We will explore these questions in this report.
Appatlo Okadundevadu
Starring Nara Rohit and Sree Vishnu, ‘Appatlo Okadundevadu‘ captivates audiences with its engaging storyline. The film revolves around a young man who aspires to be a cricketer but becomes entangled in a criminal case. His life is further disrupted by a police officer who, though initially complicating matters, ultimately aids him. The emotional twist in the climax is sure to move viewers to tears. This movie is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
Kanche
Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and featuring Varun Tej alongside Pragya Jaiswal, ‘Kanche‘ is a feel-good entertainer that beautifully combines a love story with the backdrop of World War II. The film is available for streaming on Hotstar. It centers around Haribabu (Varun Tej), a man from a lower caste, who falls in love with Seetadevi (Pragya Jaiswal), a landlord’s daughter, during their college days. Their relationship triggers caste-based tensions in their village. The story explores how Haribabu addresses these conflicts and his involvement in World War II, as well as how he and his comrades manage to escape from the battlefield.
Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya
Featuring Satyadev in the lead role, ‘Uma Maheswara Ugra Roopasya‘ was directly released on OTT platforms during the COVID period. It is a remake of the critically acclaimed Malayalam film ‘Maheshinte Prathikaaram’. The film explores the consequences of a normally mild-mannered person becoming enraged and is currently available on Netflix. The story centers on Uma Maheshwara Rao, a peace-loving photographer who generally avoids confrontations. However, his life takes a turn when he ends up in a public altercation with a local thug named Jogi, leading to a humiliating incident in a crowded market. The narrative unfolds as Uma Maheshwara Rao seeks to exact his revenge on Jogi.
Palasa 1978
Directed by Karuna Kumar and featuring Rakshit Atluri, ‘Palasa 1978‘ captured significant attention upon its release. Set in the small village of Palasa in Srikakulam district during 1978, the film delves into local historical incidents. Not only did singer Raghu Kunche compose the music for the film, but he also played a pivotal role in it. The movie is available for streaming on Amazon Prime. The plot centers around a landowner named Gurumurthy and his brother, who treat lower caste individuals as nothing more than slaves. Mohan Rao and his brother Ranga Rao, from the lower caste, face humiliation and oppression at the hands of these landowners, which eventually leads them to rise up against this tyranny. The story unfolds with their struggle for justice.
Manu
The romantic film ‘Manu,’ starring Raja Goutham, son of Brahmanandam, alongside Chandini Chowdary, was directed by Phanindra Narsetti and uniquely produced through crowd-funding. It is available for streaming on Netflix. The plot revolves around Manu (Raja Gautam), who falls in love with Neelu (Chandini Chowdary) despite never having met her in person. When they start meeting, Neelu’s life is struck by a series of tragic events. What happens to Neelu? What challenges does Manu encounter in his pursuit of her? Do they ultimately end up together? This forms the crux of the story.
Vedam
‘Vedam,’ starring Allu Arjun, Manchu Manoj, and Anushka Shetty, is regarded as a feel-good movie by audiences, despite its commercial failure. Directed by Krish, the film is available for streaming on Aha. It weaves together the lives of five characters—Raju, Saroja, Ramulu, Vivek Chakravarthy, and Raheemuddin Qureshi—who each have distinct life goals but find their paths intersecting due to a terrorist attack at a hospital. The unfolding of these events forms the narrative of the movie.
Chakravyuham: The Trap
‘Chakravyuham: The Trap,’ starring Ajay in the lead role and directed by Chetkuri Madhusudan, is a thriller focused on a police investigation. The film is available on Amazon Prime Video. The storyline follows Sanjay (Vivek Trivedi), whose wife Siri (Urvashi Pardeshi) is brutally murdered in their home, with Rs. 50 lakhs and gold from their safe also missing. CI Satya (Ajay) takes charge of the investigation, initially suspecting Sanjay’s friend Sharath (Sudeesh). As the investigation progresses, the complex layers and twists surrounding Siri’s murder case gradually come to light.
Mental Madilo
Directed by Vivek Athreya and featuring Sree Vishnu, Nivetha Pethuraj, and Amrutha Srinivasan, ‘Mental Madilo‘ is a charming feel-good movie. It follows the story of a young man who struggles with an unstable mindset and faces a dilemma in choosing between two women. This film is available on Amazon Prime. The plot kicks off with the protagonist, who has been indecisive from a young age. An arranged marriage introduces a woman into his life, but with the wedding some time away, he finds himself growing closer to another woman during this period. The story revolves around whom he ultimately decides to marry.
Republic
In ‘Republic,’ starring Sai Dharam Tej and directed by the distinct filmmaker Deva Katta, the film draws on the contemporary socio-political landscape to showcase the role of a conscientious district administrator. The story follows Abhiram (Sai Dharam Tej), an IAS officer, as he assumes office in his district. He sets his sights on addressing the issues surrounding Telleru Lake, which has been plagued by political corruption for years. The narrative then explores how he tackles the corruption spearheaded by CM Vani (Ramya Krishnan). This forms the crux of the story.
Kshanam
Directed by Ravikanth Perepu and featuring Adivi Sesh, Adah Sharma, and Anasuya Bharadwaj, ‘Kshanam‘ is a film with a compelling storyline. The plot centers around the protagonist who returns to India to assist his ex-girlfriend in her desperate search for her missing daughter. The film delves into the obstacles he encounters throughout this journey. This forms the essence of the narrative.
