Here are direct-to-OTT releases of 2021 and what made them capture our imagination

Mona

Just like 2020, 2021 also saw several big-budget films witnessing a direct-to-digital premiere. Movies that were originally meant for the big screen were shifted to OTT due to the pandemic. Major films mainly came to two giant streaming services —Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. These two OTT platforms were followed by ZEE5, Disney+ Hotstar and SonyLIV—in terms of number of films that made it to the most-viewed movies of this year. Before we bid adieu to 2021, here’s a list of top 10 films released on OTT. The list is based on ratings by trade analysts, number of page views and their IMDb rank.

Hope for justice

Jai Bhim—Amazon Prime Video

Topping the list of movies that saw an OTT premiere in 2021 is Jai Bhim. The film is rated 9.4 out of 10 on IMDb. A socially conscious and politically relevant movie, Jai Bhim is the story of a lawyer who fights for the land rights of tribal people.

Courageous take

Sardar Udham—Amazon Prime Video

Chronicling the lesser-known story of the legendary Indian revolutionary, Sardar Udham Singh, this film delves deep into his boundless courage to avenge the death of his countrymen. Shoojit Sircar built his narrative almost like a crescendo, which like a symphony goes back and forth from Punjab to London till it strikes home with a force that sweeps you with its impact. The movie is headlined by Vicky Kaushal and rated 8.8 on IMDb.

Yeh dil maAnge more

Shershaah—Amazon Prime Video

Sidharth Malhotra-starrer Shershah is a biographical war film based on late Captain Vikram Batra. It explores the story of Captain Batra’s first posting in the Army to his demise in the Kargil War of 1999 with Pakistan. This film got a rating of 8.7 on IMDb.

Powerful role

Mimi—Netflix

Laxman Utekar’s-directorial Mimi had Kriti Sanon playing the lead role of a surrogate mother for a foreign couple. The film has an IMDb rating of 8.0.

Terror talk

Dhamaka—Netflix

An action thriller, directed by Ram Madhvani, it features Kartik Aaryan as a news reporter. It got an IMDb rating of 7.9.

Battle against the system

Rashmi Rocket—ZEE5

Taapsee Pannu-starrer Rashmi Rocket is a sports drama, based on the struggles faced by various sportswomen, directed by Akarsh Khurrana. Its IMDb rating is 7.7 out of 10.

underdog’s journey

The White Tiger—Netflix

Starring Adarsh Gourav, Priyanka Chopra and Rajkummar Rao, this film is an adaptation of Arvind Adiga’s novel. It narrates the story of Balram Halwai, played by Gourav, a village boy who makes questionable choices to climb up the ladder of society. The film has got 7.1 IMDb rating.

Horror zone

Chhorii—Amazon Prime Video

A remake of Marathi film Lapachhapi, this Nushrratt Bharuccha-starrer is a horror film, directed as well as co-written by Vishal Furia. The film received a great response and was one among the top 10 movies of 2021. With an IMDb rating of 7.1, its makers have already announced a sequel.

Crime drama

Bob Biswas—ZEE5

Directed by Diya Annapurna Ghosh and starring Abhishek Bachchan in the lead role, Bob Biswas is a crime-drama set against the backdrop of a love story. It showcases the dual life led by a contract killer named Bob Biswas. The film is a spin-off of a character from Vidya Balan's Kahaani and is rated 7.0 on IMDb.

Suspect zone

Haseen Dillruba—Netflix

Under investigation as a suspect for her husband’s murder, a wife reveals details of their thorny marriage that seem to only further blur the truth. This Taapsee Pannu-starrer fetched 6.9 IMDb rating.

Other films that did a decent business on OTT include Sherni, Pagglait and 14 Phere. Meanwhile, some big budget movies such as Bhuj: The Pride of India, Hungama 2, The Big Bull and Bhoot Police failed to impress viewers.

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