From ‘Kattalan’ to ‘Uyir’_ Here are the south Indian OTT releases this week
The second week of August brings an exciting lineup of South Indian films across leading streaming platforms.Whether you enjoy survival thrillers, emotional dramas, romantic entertainers or action-packed stories, there is something for every viewer, especially from the south film industry this week.Here’s a look at some of the titles you can add to your watchlist this week.
‘Kattalan’
Antony Varghese Pepe’s ‘Kattalan’ is preparing for its digital premiere after completing its theatrical run. Directed by Paul George, the Malayalam survival thriller will begin streaming on ManoramaMAX from August 13, 2026.The story is set in Aanakolli in 1995 where recurring elephant attacks have turned life into a daily struggle for villagers.The narrative also explores illegal ivory smuggling and poaching in the surrounding forests. Antony Varghese plays the central character, navigating a dangerous world where every decision becomes a matter of survival.ETimes awarded the film 2.5 stars out of 5 during its theatrical release.
‘Uyir’ and ‘Idhayam Murali’ stream this week
Directed by Joseph filmmaker M. Padmakumar, ‘Uyir’ stars Roshan Mathew, Baiju Santhosh, Shaju Sreedhar, Athulya Chandra, Divya M. Nair, Saiyami Kher, Shruthy Menon and Vineeth Thattil. The Malayalam drama is currently streaming on JioHotstar.ETimes reviewed the film, stating, “Despite a few uneven stretches, Uyir deserves appreciation for its emotional sincerity and its attempt to tell a socially relevant story with sensitivity. It may not be a flawless investigative thriller, but it leaves behind a sense of sadness, satisfaction, and moral discomfort.”Meanwhile, the Tamil romantic drama ‘Idhayam Murali’ begins streaming on Netflix from August 7. The film stars Atharvaa Murali, Preity Mukhundhan and Kayadu Lohar, with Fahadh Faasil making a special appearance.The story follows a young man who struggles to express his emotions despite falling in love at different stages of life. As he prepares for marriage, he reflects on his past relationships and wonders whether he can finally open his heart.ETimes reviewed the film, stating, “A young man falls in love at different stages of his life. But given his nature of bottling up his feelings, can he find it in himself to express his love to his one true love?: Idhayam Murali begins with a trope that is all too familiar to the genre — a young man, Idhaya (Atharvaa), who has cold feet ahead of his impending wedding narrates his love story to Surya, a stranger (Fahadh Faasil) even as he’s rushing to meet his bride. But Aakash Baskaran ensures that we don’t let out a ‘Not again!’ groan at this clichéd set-up by having Surya himself tell Idhaya and his friends that he has no interest in being used as an excuse to deliver a flashback, before giving in (of course!). It is this self-awareness that gives Idhayam Murali much of its charm.”
‘Nooru Saami’
Another Tamil release arriving on Netflix this week is ‘Nooru Saami’. Directed by Sasi, the family social drama features Vijay Antony, Swasika Vijay, Ajay Dhishan, Lijomol Jose and Karunaas in pivotal roles.ETimes particularly appreciated Swasika’s performance, writing, “Swasika does the heaviest lifting. Hers is the reactive role, all despair and sudden eruptions, the grumpiness just a default setting on a face with plenty boiling beneath, and she brings that interior out wonderfully. Vijay Antony arrives properly only in the closing stretch, as a sugarcane worker named Ezhumalai who stays unbothered by the chaos around him.”
‘Lenin’
Akhil Akkineni and Bhagyashri Borse headline ‘Lenin’, written and directed by Murali Kishore Abburu. The Telugu action drama unfolds in the fictional village of Bharatham Mitta in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district.The film follows an orphan raised by village head Jayyamma, whose life changes after he falls in love with Bharathi. As the story progresses the village drama evolves into a tale of revenge, betrayal and hidden truths. The narrative is set against the Bharatham Mitta festival. It incorporates themes inspired by the Mahabharata. Go to Source
