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From Kerala Crime Files 2 to Azadi to Prince and Family: Check out the latest Malayalam OTTs on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar

From Kerala Crime Files 2 to Azadi to Prince and Family: Check out the latest Malayalam OTTs on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar

Economic Times6 hours ago

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Kerala Crime Files 2 – Streaming from June 20 on JioHotstar
Prince and Family – Streaming from June 20 on Zee5
Azadi – Streaming from June 27 on ManoramaMAX
Aap Kaise Ho – Streaming from June 20 on SunNXT
Maharani – Streaming in early July on ManoramaMAX
June is shaping up to be a treat for Malayalam cinema lovers, with a diverse slate of films and web series making their way to streaming platforms. From heartwarming village dramas to gritty thrillers and prison break adventures, there's something for every kind of viewer. Whether you missed these titles in theatres or prefer to binge-watch from home, here's a roundup of the most anticipated Malayalam releases arriving on OTT—packed with comedy, suspense, social commentary, and emotional depth.The gripping sequel to Kerala Crime Files dives into darker territory with the sudden disappearance of CPO Ambili Raju, setting off a chain of disturbing revelations. This season doesn't just focus on solving a crime—it explores complex issues like systemic decay, police brutality, and moral grey zones. The trailer's haunting visuals and layered voice-overs hint at a story that's more psychological than procedural. With a strong emphasis on mood and mystery, Kerala Crime Files 2 promises a slow-burn investigation where nothing is as it seems, and no character is beyond suspicion.Set in the heart of rural Kerala, Prince and Family follows the unlikely marriage between a reserved bridal boutique owner and a woman completely opposite in personality. Played by Dhyan Sreenivasan, Prince is the town's most eligible bachelor, whose quiet life spirals into chaos after marriage. The narrative blends humour, family drama, and cultural quirks with a rustic charm. The film also features veteran stars like Siddique, Bindu Panicker, Johny Antony, Manju Pillai, and Raniya. With its mix of generational conflicts and comedic tension, the film offers a wholesome look at love and relationships in small-town India.Azadi marks the return of Sreenath Bhasi in a gripping prison-break drama with emotional stakes. The film tells the story of a man attempting to free his loved one from prison, a speech-impaired woman jailed for murder, played by Raveena Ravi. Vani Viswanath, seen in a comeback role, plays a senior cop with grit. Directed by debutant Jo George and written by Sagar of Veekam fame, the film mixes thriller elements with raw emotional undertones. With Lal and T.G. Ravi in key roles, Azadi explores justice, love, and defiance in a tightly paced narrative.Released in theatres earlier this year, Aap Kaise Ho stars Dhyan Sreenivasan as Christy, a soon-to-be groom who decides to go all out with a bachelor party before his big day. What follows is a series of light-hearted misadventures laced with humour and chaos. The film weaves together friendship, pre-wedding jitters, and unexpected drama. Alongside Dhyan, the film features a stellar supporting cast including Aju Varghese, Sreenivasan, Ramesh Pisharody, Sudheesh, Jeeva Joseph, and Tanvi Ram. A relatable, feel-good watch that explores celebration, confusion, and friendship in equal parts.After months of delay, Maharani is finally set to premiere online. Starring Roshan Mathew and Shine Tom Chacko, the family entertainer is set in the fictional village of Kinassery in Alappuzha. The plot kicks off with a minor disagreement that escalates into a full-blown feud between two families, turning local tensions into a riotous spiral. Playing brothers caught in the chaos, Roshan and Shine navigate love, marriage, and pride, with Nisha Sarang and Johny Antony bringing warmth as their parents. The film is an engaging mix of satire, sentiment, and village politics—one that fans have eagerly awaited.

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Kerala Crime Files Season 2 review: Aju Varghese and Lal return in a sequel that's just as gripping as Season 1, if not better
Kerala Crime Files Season 2 review: Aju Varghese and Lal return in a sequel that's just as gripping as Season 1, if not better

Indian Express

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Kerala Crime Files Season 2 review: Aju Varghese and Lal return in a sequel that's just as gripping as Season 1, if not better

Kerala Crime Files Season 2 review: Creating a sequel to a series that has impressed viewers is no easy task. It becomes even more challenging when it's planned as an episodic sequel. Although the characters and, to an extent, the setting and tone, may remain the same as the first part, the new installment is built entirely from scratch. It's almost like restarting a race from the starting line after having already run half the track. In the case of Kerala Crime Files Season 2, director Ahammed Khabeer has attempted something similar, completely setting aside the story and hangover of 'Shiju, Parayil Veedu, Neendakara' (the case explored in Season 1) to focus instead on the 'Search for CPO Ambili Raju'. Unlike Season 1, where we were introduced to the central crime in the very first sequence, Kerala Crime Files (KCF) Season 2 takes its time to settle into its world, brilliantly resisting the urge to push viewers to the edge of their seats at the earliest opportunity itself. Throughout the show, writer Bahul Ramesh and director Ahammed Khabeer maintain a steady tempo in the unravelling of the story, and, as a result, the investigation that forms its core. Unlike typical recent mystery films/shows that rely on constant twists and adrenaline-fueled moments to keep audiences on their toes, Kerala Crime Files Season 2 progresses at the deliberate pace set by Bahul and Ahammed at the outset itself, allowing the story to develop organically. Without overt exposition, Kerala Crime Files Season 2 introduces and gradually fleshes out its characters, revealing enough about them through their actions and reactions rather than spoon-feeding the viewers all the time. From the moment we meet CPO Ambili Raju (Indrans), we are given fragments to piece together to understand who he is. Despite being just a CPO at the fictional Kaniyarvila station, Ambili commands significant influence, even over anti-social elements and criminals, thanks to his fearlessness and supposed straightforward nature. But when a departmental reshuffle begins, thus transferring officers with questionable records and illicit ties to other stations, Ambili learns he, too, might be affected. However, before any official communication reaches him, he mysteriously disappears, prompting the newly appointed SHO Kurian Avaran (Lal) and SI Noble (Arjun Radhakrishnan) to launch an investigation. As the case unfolds, the officers make more and more startling revelations about Ambili, thus creating suspicions among them that his ex-wife's current husband, Ayyappan (Harisree Asokan), an ex-convict, might be involved in his disappearance. As the probe crosses district borders, Kurian's former colleague Manoj Sreedharan (Aju Varghese), now stationed in Ernakulam district, also steps in. The remainder of the show follows their efforts to unravel the mystery behind CPO Ambili Raju's disappearance. The strength of Kerala Crime Files Season 2 lies in the brilliant way Bahul Ramesh has crafted the narrative, stripping it of unnecessary commercialisation. Take the cliffhangers at the end of each episode, for instance. The first five episodes, out of a total of six, end on intriguing and compelling notes, yet none of them feels contrived. This is mainly because Bahul has deliberately avoided manufacturing hooks just for the sake of suspense. Instead, he has elevated key moments in the narrative organically, prompting viewers to move on to the next episode out of genuine curiosity, creating in them a sense of eagerness to piece together the puzzle and uncover the full picture. Though the script has not reached the spellbinding heights of his work in Kishkindha Kaandam (2024), Bahul ensures that the audience remains emotionally invested, not just in the investigation, but in the broader story and the dramatic aspects too. This is particularly effective because most of the new characters are exceptionally layered and have grey shades as well, and Bahul has completely avoided conveniently painting them in black or white. His skill in crafting strong character arcs, without rushing, and allowing them ample space to unfold naturally is evident here as well. Not just Ambili or Ayyappan, but even supporting characters like Jaismon (Sirajudheen Nazar), the Aashraya Dog Retirement Home in-charge (Jeo Baby) and Dr Raveena (Shibla Fara) are developed with care, without resorting to forced moments just to establish the multiple facets of their characters. However, the one area where Bahul has, unfortunately, stumbled is in the characterisation of Noble, who feels oddly disconnected from the otherwise layered narrative, as if a flat character was plucked from another story and inserted into this one. For example, right from the beginning, we're repeatedly told that Noble is into sports and was a volleyball player. This detail is mentioned multiple times. But in all honesty, it never becomes relevant to the narrative. Although this is his first posting in law and order, the script fails to meaningfully explore his inexperience, rendering the early detailing somewhat pointless. Instead, he's presented for the most part as a capable, though inexpert, officer who rarely makes mistakes. That said, Bahul refrains from giving even Noble any 'superpowers' to draw conclusions out of thin air. He ensures that the officers, much like in real life, unravel each clue slowly, building the investigation step by step. Simultaneously, the way Bahul and Ahammed have shaped the show's narrative and visual language is so effective that, even though we never actually see what happened to Ambili Raju in the end, we are still able to clearly grasp the full picture, thanks to how essential details are woven in at just the right moments. However, if you ask me whether it answers every doubt, I wouldn't give it a full thumbs-up. This season too reinforces the feeling that Ahammed Khabeer truly knows these officers and this setting, as if he has worked alongside them in real life. However, unlike Season 1, where we also witnessed characters at their most vulnerable, Kerala Crime Files Season 2 reserves such emotional depth mostly for the newly introduced ones. As a result, those like Kurian and Manoj come across as flat, and only those viewers who've seen the first season will understand their layers. Those who started watching the show from Season 2 might feel these characters lack depth. Lal and Aju, much like in Season 1, deliver brilliant and precise performances, as if the characters never actually left them. While the writing doesn't offer them the same breadth and depth as the previous installment, both actors still do a splendid job in their respective parts. Arjun Radhakrishnan, whose earlier work included some stiff and manufactured performances (most notably the jarring one in Identity), shows significant improvement here, slipping smoothly into the skin of Noble. Though his dialogue delivery occasionally comes off as too rigid, he compensates for it with his subtle and effective body language. Veterans are veterans for a reason, and Indrans and Harisree Asokan prove that here. Not only do they excel in their respective roles, but when they share the screen in a flashback scene at Ayyappan's home, their chemistry is electric; an example of two masters at work. At several moments, even their glances communicate more than what pages of dialogue could have. At the end of Episode 6, as the credits roll, Kerala Crime Files Season 2 acknowledges the dogs who played key roles in the show. Had the makers not done that, it would have been a serious disrespect. These canine buddies, particularly Simba (Terry), Jo (Robby) and Honey (Tippu), deliver such convincing performances that it's impossible to believe that they aren't professionals. While the new season is technically solid, just like the first, there are moments when Jithin Stanislaus' cinematography and Srik Varier's colouring (an issue present in Season 1 as well) feel artificial. Several close-up shots appear amateurish, and the unnecessary delay in ending some random shots, for dramatic effect, detracts from the viewing experience. Hesham Abdul Wahab's score, though largely good, occasionally feels tonally mismatched, making the show veer towards a motivational drama vibe that doesn't align with the narrative. Kerala Crime Files Season 2 cast: Aju Varghese, Lal, Arjun Radhakrishnan, Indrans, Harisree Asokan, Jeo Baby Kerala Crime Files Season 2 director: Ahammed Khabeer Kerala Crime Files Season 2 rating: 3.5 stars Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More

Alappuzha Gymkhana actor Sandeep Pradeep on whether trolls affected his bond with Naslen
Alappuzha Gymkhana actor Sandeep Pradeep on whether trolls affected his bond with Naslen

Hindustan Times

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Alappuzha Gymkhana actor Sandeep Pradeep on whether trolls affected his bond with Naslen

Sandeep Pradeep is among the new crop of Malayalam actors who has been hogging much attention these days, thanks to two of his latest releases – Naslen-starrer Alappuzha Gymkhana and Padakkalam. But as Padakklam started getting more traction online, it led to online discussions and trolls that Sandeep could pose a challenge to Naslen, who has already established himself as a young Malayalam star with Premalu. Yet to watch Alappuzha Gymkhana and Premalu? Tune into OTTplay Premium and catch all the fun Malayalam films right now Naslen leads the 2025 Malayalam film Alappuzha Gymkhana, which features Sandeep Pradeep as his friend Valuth Sharif. In a recent chat with The Cue Studio, Sandeep addressed the trolls that drew comparisons with the two young actors. Reacting to this, Sandeep said that there are a lot of such discussions on social media, but he doesn't delve too much into it. Explaining further, 'Naslen is a very popular star, and he has been around for quite some time now. I just came now. When a new person comes in, it would naturally lead to comparisons.' Naslen, who made a mark with his debut as a schoolboy in Thanneer Mathan Dinangal, went on to do notable roles in films such as Home before catapulating to fame with Premalu, which also starred Mamitha Baiju. Reacting to his Alappuzha Gymkhana star's popularity, Sandeep said, 'Naslen is in the frontline of heroes in the teenage category. After that only, we all came. I hope more people come. Anyways, our friendship hasn't been affected in any way because of all this.' Sandeep Pradeep joined Naslen in director Khalid Rahman's film, Alappuzha Gymkhana, a buddy sports comedy. The film revolves around Jojo (Naslen) who along with his friends try to secure college admission by participating in sports competition after failing in their plus-two exams. You can stream Alappuzha Gymkhana on SonyLiv and OTTplay Premium in multiple languages, including Hindi. Sandeep also played one of the lead roles in Padakkalam, which also featured Malayalam actors Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Sharaf U Dheen. The film, which weaves in fantasy elements, is streaming on JioHotstar.

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