Top New OTT Releases This Week: Showtime, Ricky Stanicky, Maharani Season 3, Merry Christmas

Streaming platform releases this week include the biopic based on the life of an Italian adult film actor, dark secrets of the seemingly glamorous film industry, a fantasy adventure where a princess fights a fire-breathing dragon, an R-rated comedy, and a political thriller. The biggest Indian original this week has to be Disney+ Hotstar’s Emraan Hashmi starrer Showtime, where he is seen playing the son of a successful film producer. Another big Indian title to make its digital debut is Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi’s Merry Christmas, a crime thriller that actually begins as a romance. Here you’ll see the two strangers dealing with a dead body on the first night of their meeting.

For those looking for a no-brainer and entertaining light watch, we recommend Zac Efron and John Cena’s Ricky Stanicky, which is bound to make you laugh. Here you’ll meet three childhood friends who invent an imaginary Ricky Stanicky, whom they can use as a handy alibi and put the blame on for all their misconducts. Things take a hilarious turn when they hire a dimwit, washed-up actor to play Ricky when the families grow suspicious of his existence. John Cena has done an impressive job at playing this delusionally confident actor, who takes up this acting job too far.

For those looking for something from the pages of fantasy, Millie Bobby Brown’s Damsel could do it. She plays a dutiful princess whose wedding turns into a nightmare when she learns that she is actually a sacrifice brought in to settle the ancient debts to a fire-breathing dragon.

On the international shore, you could go for the K-drama Queen of Tears which follows a marital couple fighting fading romance in their marriage.

Some other notable OTT releases of the week are Hot Wheels Let’s Race, Full Swing Season 2, The Gentlemen, and The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy Season 2.

Here are our picks for the top OTT releases of the week.

Best OTT Releases This Week

Supersex

When: Now Streaming

Where: Netflix

Supersex is a steamy biography of the popular Italian pornographic actor Rocco Siffredi. It narrates his journey from ordinary days to how he topped the adult film industry worldwide in no time.

The show starts with a sex convention where Rocco is announcing his retirement, making room for the rest of the series to be shown in flashback.

Get ready to explore the fame he experienced, the demons of his past, tumultuous relationships, and other personal anecdotes from his life, in this seven-part series.

The only Indian language in which the show has been dubbed is Hindi. Among the foreign language options are English, Portuguese, Czech, Spanish, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish.

Showtime

When: Now Streaming

Where: Disney+ Hotstar

The four-part series will take you to the underbelly of the other glamorous Bollywood film industry. The complex power dynamics, fierce competition, mistrust, and every other dark aspect are covered.

Emran Hashmi plays Raghu Khanna, the son of a successful film producer, whose inheritance comes under threat after his father’s demise. This is Hashmi’s second OTT project after Netflix’s Bard of Blood (2019).

Mouni Roy, Shriya Saran, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajeev Khandelwal, and Mahima Makwana can also be seen in prominent roles.

Merry Christmas

When: Now Streaming

Where: Netflix

On Christmas Eve of the 1980s, a man (Vijay Sethupathi) returns to Bombay from Dubai only to discover that his mother is no more. Drenched in his sorrow, he crosses paths with a gorgeous woman called Maria (Katrina Kaif), who got stood up on a date because she brought her daughter along. Romance sparks off and the two instantly hit it off. Everything was going rosy and the two ended up at her apartment. Soon suspense and crime take over when a dead body is discovered in the apartment. The film was filmed simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil.

Damsel

When: Now Streaming

Where: Netflix

Princess Elodie’s dream fairytale comes to a jerking halt when she realises that her marriage with a charming prince is a sham and that she has been welcomed by the royal family as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. Soon she finds herself trapped alone in a cave with a fire-breathing dragon. The rest of the film revolves around the damsel trying to make it out of the cave alive.

Maharani Season 3

When: Now Streaming

Where: SonyLiv

Rani Bharti is still in jail for the false accusation of attempting to murder her husband; not ready to apply for bail. The ambitious housewife-turned-politician decides to fight fairly for justice and strongly believes that the judicial system will prove her innocent. As ugly twists and turns take over, more drama unfurls in this political thriller exploring the dark underbelly of Bihar politics.

Ricky Stanicky

When: Now

Where: Prime Video

Three childhood friends (Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, Jermaine Fowler) decide to blame all their misbehaviours on an imaginary “Ricky Stanicky”. From Halloween pranks to getting out of uncomfortable situations, Ricky Stanicky has been their ultimate saviour and cover-up for almost two decades. However, when their families finally become suspicious of whether such a man exists, the trio decide to hire a washed-up actor called Rod (John Cena), who does poor impersonations of celebrities, makes songs on masturbation, and performs in a shady club. The raging alcoholic flop actor takes this role of a lifetime too seriously and immediately steals the show. Get ready for lots of laughter in this light-hearted comedy by Peter Farrelly.

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Maamla Legal Hai, Sunflower Season 2, Shōgun and More: New OTT Releases for Weekend Binge-Watch

For this week’s new OTT release recommendations, we have a comic courtroom drama, a murder mystery, historical sagas, and a crime documentary. First is Netflix’s Ravi Kishan starrer Maamla Legal Hai set in the District Court of Patparganj where bizarre cases come up. Given that the show is based on true incidents, it serves as an interesting peek into our legal framework. Next in line is Sunil Grover’s Sunflower Season 2, which introduces new characters to add more suspense and layer to the plot. Grover was largely praised for his work in the first season. Next in line is Disney+ Hotstar’s Shōgun, which will take you to feudal Japan of the 17th century where an English sailor finds himself ship-wrecked.

Another brilliant pick could be Ridley Scott’s Napoleon, where Joaquin Phoenix takes on the role of the eponymous French emperor. Since the film has been nominated for Oscars for visual effects, production design and costume design, it is safe to assume that it’ll be a visual delight. Napoleon, which was first released in theatres in November last year, is now available to stream on Apple TV+. For documentary fanatics, Netflix has two: The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth, based on the infamous Sheena Bora murder case of Mumbai, and American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders, where the details of the mysterious death of an investigative journalist pursuing a political conspiracy emerge decades later.

On the international shore, almost all the major releases are in Korean, including The Impossible Heir, Wonderful World, and My Name is Low Kiwaan. Here’s a look at our picks for what to stream this weekend. Happy binge-watching!

When: Now Streaming

Where: Netflix

If you are looking to watch a light-hearted comedy, Ravi Kishan starrer Maamla Legal Hai could be it. The eight-part series will introduce you to bizarre legal cases of East Delhi’s Patparganj District Court, inspired by true incidents. From a foul-mouthed parrot hurling abuse to an inmate pleading to start a family, expect ample absurdity in the show.

Here, Ravi Kishan is playing a prominent lawyer who aspires to become the Bar Association President and is always on the lookout for loopholes in the legal system. When an ambitious Harvard University graduate (Naila Grewal) joins the courtroom, things take a hilarious turn. (And if the terms Harvard and courtroom have drifted you into the world of Suits, umm… come on… it’s Patparganj, not New York! Although, one of the characters is definitely trying to copy Donna Paulson’s sassiness.)

Sunflower Season 2

When: Now Streaming

Where: Zee5

In the first season, Mr. Kapoor of Sunflower Society is found dead in his washroom, kickstarting an investigation. While the police were desperately trying to pin down Sunil Grover’s character for the crime, nothing could be proved. In the second season, you’ll meet bar dancer Rosie Mehta (Adah Sharma), the supposed mistress of the deceased, who has her name in the former’s will. As the plot thickens, it becomes trickier to catch the real culprit. Sunil Grover has again done an impressive job.

Napoleon

When: Now

Where: Apple TV+

The Oscar-nominated biopic has finally made its OTT debut. This historical drama delves into the turbulent life of the French emperor and military commander Napoleon Bonaparte. The film takes you back to the French Revolution and notable Napoleonic Wars, charting the leader’s rise and fall.

Joaquin Phoenix (Joker) does an impressive job of portraying the historical figure. Expect a lot of epic battle scenes, grand sets, political references, and fine costumes. Besides the textbook facts about Napoleon’s excellence and military techniques, the film also explores his rocky relationship with empress Joséphine.

The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth

When: Now Streaming

Where: Netflix

Although the crime documentary was supposed to be released last week, its premiere was halted after the CBI pleaded with the Bombay High Court. The series has now been approved by the court and has hit the digital screens. It revolves around the shocking murder case of 25-year-old Sheena Bora in 2012, where the prime murder suspects turned out to be her mother Indrani Mukerjea, her mother’s driver, and her stepfather Peter Mukerjea. The three were alleged to have abducted, killed and subsequently burnt Sheena’s body.

### Shōgun

When: Now

Where: Disney+ Hotstar

An adventurous English sailor is shipwrecked in Japan in 1600s and soon finds himself stuck in the political turmoil with shogunates, factions, rivals and dishonoured samurai. Here, the heir of the deceased leader is too young and is taken care of by a council of five lords. This ten-part series is based on James Clavell’s 1975 bestselling novel of more than 1,000 pages, which was previously adapted into a 1980 limited series. Expect lots of adventure and action.

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2024 hub.

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Poacher, Avatar the Last Bender, Screen Actor Guild Awards and More: New OTT Releases This Week to Binge Watch This Weekend

Although there is just one Indian-original release this week in the form of Alia Bhatt produced Poacher — based on illegal ivory poaching in India — we also have quite a few other big names from across genres. For starters, Netflix will host the Screen Actor Guild Awards live for the first time, touted as a grand experiment for the streaming platform. The awards will start streaming at 5:00 am (IST).

Another high-budget release is Avatar: The Last Airbender, a live-action adaptation of the popular series of the same name on Netflix. However, if you have followed the original series back in the day, chances are high that you might not be as impressed with the adaptation. The series has attracted mixed reviews from critics and ardent fans.

Next, we have the final season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch on Disney+ Hotstar, in which the eponymous Bad Batch’s limits are tested.

On the international shore, there is Through My Window 3: Looking At You, the final chapter of the Spanish romance trilogy. It follows the typical romantic dilemmas and the inability to move on after separation. If you haven’t already binged on the first two parts, you can find them both on Netflix.

If you have an appetite for documentaries, you could go for the new British crime docu-series Can I Tell You A Secret? which gives a bone-chilling insight into a serial cyber stalker who made the life of countless women a living hell. Another choice could be Apple TV’s documentary on football legend Messi, which follows him along the five World Cups.

For comedy fanatics, Netflix dished out another comedy special: Mike Epps’s Ready to Sell Out. Here, the American stand-up comic gets candid about his finances, romantic life, and hilarious street observations.

In case you are wondering about Netflix’s documentary on the Sheena Bora murder case, which was supposed to be released on February 23, its release has been halted after the CBI pleaded to the Bombay High Court. The series is likely to premiere only after it gets a green light following a special screening of the series for the Central Bureau of Investigation (are there many cuts and edits in store?).

Well, that’s all for this week, folks. Happy binge-watching!

Poacher

When: Now Streaming

Where: Prime Video

Poacher is a gripping thriller drama about illegal elephant ivory poaching grappling the green lushes of South India. Here you’ll find a group of Indian Forest Service officers, NGO workers, police constables and Good Samaritans risk their lives for the cause. The series is a fictionalised account of true harrowing incidents. The show comes from Emmy Winning Delhi Crime’s creator Richie Mehta. Alia Bhatt has co- produced.

Avatar The Last Airbender

When: Now Streaming

Where: Netflix

If you remember Nickleodeon’s mega-hit show, you already know what this new release is about. Like the original animated version, the live-action adaptation is based in a world where some people, titled Avatar, have the superpower to manipulate one of the four elements—water, earth, fire or air—through “bending”. Gordon Cormier plays the 12-year-old Aang, a prodigious Airbender who has just discovered that he is the new Avatar, and he must now master all the four elemental powers, to save the world from the Fire Nation’s tyranny. Be prepared for a lot of special effects and impressive moves in this eight-episode-long series.

30th Screen Actor Guild Awards

When: February 24

Where: Netflix

Netflix has long been trying to delve into the live-streaming sector. The platform made its debut in the field with sports events and recently bought rights for the streaming of WWE RAW.

Screen Actor Guild Awards could kick start a new avenue of expansion for the platform. The event will honour the best achievements in film and television performances for the year 2023. While last year the ceremony was broadcast on Netflix’s YouTube channel, it is the first that Netflix will be streaming an event of this kind.

Some of the major films nominated across categories are Barbie, Maestro, Rustin, Oppenheimer, Killers of the Flower Moon, The Color Purple and more. Among web series are Succession, The Morning Show, The Last of Us, Barry, and The Bear, among others.

Constellation

When: Now Streaming

Where: Apple TV+

Imagine you are an astronaut returning to the Earth after a major accident in space. But now a lot of pieces of your life are missing. Scary, isn’t it? Noomi Rapace steps into the shoes of this devastated astronaut in Apple TV’s latest psychological drama Constellation. All she has are broken memories and alarming findings to uncover the truth.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch Season 3

When: Now Streaming

Where: Disney+ Hotstar

The third season picks up shortly after the end of Season 2, with Omega (Michelle Ang) still under the grasp of the Empire. A lot of cliffhangers of the previous seasons are to be answered in this one.

The two new interesting terms introduced in the series are M-Count (microscopic life forms that reside in all living cells) and Project Necromancer, which revolves around securing Palpatine’s resurrection.

While this might be the final season for Star Wars: The Bad Batch, the first three episodes that the platform dropped today have confirmed multiple connections of the series with other Star Wars movies and shows, including Mandalorian. New episodes will air weekly until the conclusion on May 1, 2024.

Through My Window: Looking at You

When: Now

Where: Netflix

In case, you haven’t seen the first two parts, Through My Window films have a girl named Raquel as their protagonist, who is hopelessly in love with her neighbour Ares, whom she admires from her window. Ares, by the way, is oblivious to her existence, let alone her feelings. Things take an amusing turn when he starts reciprocating, despite his family’s protests.

Raquel and Ares went on their separate ways in part 2, but can’t seem to be able to move on in their lives. In this instalment, the duo is seeing other people, while struggling with the burning memories they share. Like a typical rom-com, when the two again cross paths, emotional turmoil is inevitable. Tune in to find out if they re-unite.

For details of the latest launches and news from Samsung, Xiaomi, Realme, OnePlus, Oppo and other companies at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, visit our MWC 2024 hub.

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