2021 Round Up: OTT Hits of 2021
Most the the year 2021 had to be spent with fear of Covid pandemic taking over all businesses again like it did in 2020. But entertainment industry saw surge in the consumer consumption of content on OTT platforms and people started releasing their films on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hotstar Disney Plus, SonyLiv, Zee5 and AHA OTT platforms directly. As OTT platforms give wider audiences reach, most of the films released with English subtitles. Here are the films that managed to gain critical and audience appreciation among many releases.
OTT Hit Films of 2021
Telugu
Introduction of Telugu exclusive OTT platform like AHA helped producers to release most of their content that is films, on OTT platforms. Few of the many releases became hits and have been noticed by audiences too.
Ek Mini Katha
After release, Ek Mini Katha became one of the most talked about films of Telugu Cinema due to the storyline and comedy. Performances of the actors like Santhosh Shoban and Kavya Thapar, Shraddha Das got praises from audiences.
Cinema Bandi
An Independent film like Cinema Bandi couldn't have imagined to become a hit with theatrical release. But the movie became a hit with OTT release and everyone involved in the movie making won praises too.
Narappa
Senior Star like Venkatesh relied on direct OTT releases but his film Narappa found praises from critics and audiences alike. Film is a remake of Asuran but it did not hamper the movie from getting noticed by wider range of audiences belonging to all demographics.
Drushyam 2
Even though Drishyam 2, original Malayalam film got a direct OTT release, Drushyam 2, its Telugu remake with Venkatesh in lead found enough audiences to be named among the popular releases of 2021.
Dubbed/ Other language Hits
Tamil
Major production houses decided to hold back their releases until the theatres re-open to full capacity but Surya started a wave among Tamil films and producers to go for OTT releases.
Soorari Pottru/ Akasam Nee Haddu Raa
First universal hit film for Suriya in years and that happened to be an OTT release. The actor had to face many oppositions for his step but it proved to be the best one for him and the film.
Sarpatta Parambarai
Pa. Ranjith after forgettable films like Kaala and Kabali came back strongly with Arya's boxing drama film, Sarpatta Parambarai. Film stayed with audiences post release for months.
Jai Bhim
Suriya delivered another OTT blockbuster with Jai Bhim. More people praised him for backing such a controversial subject and even acting in it. Movie still remains the most searched and discussed film of the year 2021.
Netrikann
Nayanthara's stardom and popularity helped this mystery thriller to top the charts upon release. Film sustained interest with decent word-of-mouth.
Maanaadu
Film became a blockbuster upon release in Tamil Nadu. Post theatrical run, movie released on OTT for other regions in India and since release, the movie topped the charts. Silambarasan and Venkat Prabhu delivered the most talked about film of the year 2021. SJ Suriya performance has more fans than any other.
Malayalam
Malayalam films saw many takers from Telugu states too. Social media handles of Telugu people started talking about these films more prominently among the releases.
Drishyam 2
Mohan Lal's most awaited sequel to his hit film, Drishyam released to a rousing reception and film became a blockbuster success as well. It helped other Malayalam filmmakers to look at direct OTT releases keenly.
The Great Indian Kitchen
The Great Indian Kitchen film proved to be a surprise hit. Suraj Venjaramoodu and Nimisha Sajayan performances made the drama film a hit among the audiences.
Irul
Mystery thrillers get maximum audiences and Irul proved to have good attention span post release among the audiences.
Joji
Fahad Fassil teamed up with Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran after National Award winning Thondimuthalum Drikshakshiyum for this film. Performances of the actors got attention of the audiences.
Cold Case
Prithviraj Sukumaran's film slowly got noticed by public but became one of the those that became a must watch among the audiences due to the positive word-of-mouth.
Malik
Fahad Fassil's Malik released with more hype and film could sustain momentum for a week to ten days. Easily, one of the most talked about movies among Malayalam releases.
Churuli
Churuli made most noise prior to release as the movie became a Film Festival circuit hit. Lijo Jose Pellissery delivered another solid film that people talked about. Joju George's performance won maximum praises.
Minnal Murali
The most recent release Malayalam film found more audiences than others. Tovino Thomas performance as a Superhero and direction by Basil Joseph are being praised.
Hindi
Hindi films did see a decline of interest from Telugu states but these direct OTT releases made enough noise to gain attention of Telugu audiences.
The Big Bull
Even though Scam 1992, the web series became a rage among the public, movie The Big Bull also earned positive feedback for Abhishek Bachchan. Similarity in story with Scam 1992 did hamper the film's overall appeal but it made enough noise to be placed in this list.
SherShaah
SherShaah can be classified as Mega Blockbuster for OTT releases of 2021. Movie directed by Vishnuvardhan and starring Siddharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani became talk of the town upon release. It is a fictionalised biopic of Captain Vikram Batra and his love life.
Sanak
Surprisingly, Sanak became a hit with the audiences on OTT even though critics criticised the heavy action driven narrative. Vidyut Jammwal impressed audiences with his gravity defining stunt work.
Sardar Udham
Vicky Kaushal made news with his performance as Udham Singh and director Shoojit Sircar direction won many praises. Mainly, the last 20 minutes of the film got universal appreciation.
Bob Biswas
Abhishek Bachchan as Kahani film's Bob Biswas character won praise for his unconventional hitman character and performance.
Mimi
Kriti Sanon and Pankaj Tripathi starrer Mimi discussed a very bold subject about IV pregnancy through Surrogate. Kriti Sanon's performance got rave reviews and Music composed by AR Rahman also became a huge hit. Param Sundari track from the film is still in Year Top 20 big hits.
Atrangi Re
Even though movie did not get highly positive reviews, the number of people that watched the movie upon release on Hotstar Disney plus platform are said to be huge. AR Rahman's music, Sara Ali Khan and Dhanush performances got high praises. Akshay Kumar did his best but his character did not win praises. Second half of the film got negative feedback.
Most the the year 2021 had to be spent with fear of Covid pandemic taking over all businesses again like it did in 2020. But entertainment industry saw surge in the consumer consumption of content on OTT platforms and people started releasing their films on Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hotstar Disney Plus, SonyLiv, Zee5 and AHA OTT platforms directly. As OTT platforms give wider audiences reach, most of the films released with English subtitles. Here are the films that managed to gain critical and audience appreciation among many releases.
OTT Hit Films of 2021
Telugu
Introduction of Telugu exclusive OTT platform like AHA helped producers to release most of their content that is films, on OTT platforms. Few of the many releases became hits and have been noticed by audiences too.
Ek Mini Katha
After release, Ek Mini Katha became one of the most talked about films of Telugu Cinema due to the storyline and comedy. Performances of the actors like Santhosh Shoban and Kavya Thapar, Shraddha Das got praises from audiences.
Cinema Bandi
An Independent film like Cinema Bandi couldn't have imagined to become a hit with theatrical release. But the movie became a hit with OTT release and everyone involved in the movie making won praises too.
Narappa
Senior Star like Venkatesh relied on direct OTT releases but his film Narappa found praises from critics and audiences alike. Film is a remake of Asuran but it did not hamper the movie from getting noticed by wider range of audiences belonging to all demographics.
Drushyam 2
Even though Drishyam 2, original Malayalam film got a direct OTT release, Drushyam 2, its Telugu remake with Venkatesh in lead found enough audiences to be named among the popular releases of 2021.
Dubbed/ Other language Hits
Tamil
Major production houses decided to hold back their releases until the theatres re-open to full capacity but Surya started a wave among Tamil films and producers to go for OTT releases.
Soorari Pottru/ Akasam Nee Haddu Raa
First universal hit film for Suriya in years and that happened to be an OTT release. The actor had to face many oppositions for his step but it proved to be the best one for him and the film.
Sarpatta Parambarai
Pa. Ranjith after forgettable films like Kaala and Kabali came back strongly with Arya's boxing drama film, Sarpatta Parambarai. Film stayed with audiences post release for months.
Jai Bhim
Suriya delivered another OTT blockbuster with Jai Bhim. More people praised him for backing such a controversial subject and even acting in it. Movie still remains the most searched and discussed film of the year 2021.
Netrikann
Nayanthara's stardom and popularity helped this mystery thriller to top the charts upon release. Film sustained interest with decent word-of-mouth.
Maanaadu
Film became a blockbuster upon release in Tamil Nadu. Post theatrical run, movie released on OTT for other regions in India and since release, the movie topped the charts. Silambarasan and Venkat Prabhu delivered the most talked about film of the year 2021. SJ Suriya performance has more fans than any other.
Malayalam
Malayalam films saw many takers from Telugu states too. Social media handles of Telugu people started talking about these films more prominently among the releases.
Drishyam 2
Mohan Lal's most awaited sequel to his hit film, Drishyam released to a rousing reception and film became a blockbuster success as well. It helped other Malayalam filmmakers to look at direct OTT releases keenly.
The Great Indian Kitchen
The Great Indian Kitchen film proved to be a surprise hit. Suraj Venjaramoodu and Nimisha Sajayan performances made the drama film a hit among the audiences.
Irul
Mystery thrillers get maximum audiences and Irul proved to have good attention span post release among the audiences.
Joji
Fahad Fassil teamed up with Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran after National Award winning Thondimuthalum Drikshakshiyum for this film. Performances of the actors got attention of the audiences.
Cold Case
Prithviraj Sukumaran's film slowly got noticed by public but became one of the those that became a must watch among the audiences due to the positive word-of-mouth.
Malik
Fahad Fassil's Malik released with more hype and film could sustain momentum for a week to ten days. Easily, one of the most talked about movies among Malayalam releases.
Churuli
Churuli made most noise prior to release as the movie became a Film Festival circuit hit. Lijo Jose Pellissery delivered another solid film that people talked about. Joju George's performance won maximum praises.
Minnal Murali
The most recent release Malayalam film found more audiences than others. Tovino Thomas performance as a Superhero and direction by Basil Joseph are being praised.
Hindi
Hindi films did see a decline of interest from Telugu states but these direct OTT releases made enough noise to gain attention of Telugu audiences.
The Big Bull
Even though Scam 1992, the web series became a rage among the public, movie The Big Bull also earned positive feedback for Abhishek Bachchan. Similarity in story with Scam 1992 did hamper the film's overall appeal but it made enough noise to be placed in this list.
SherShaah
SherShaah can be classified as Mega Blockbuster for OTT releases of 2021. Movie directed by Vishnuvardhan and starring Siddharth Malhotra, Kiara Advani became talk of the town upon release. It is a fictionalised biopic of Captain Vikram Batra and his love life.
Sanak
Surprisingly, Sanak became a hit with the audiences on OTT even though critics criticised the heavy action driven narrative. Vidyut Jammwal impressed audiences with his gravity defining stunt work.
Sardar Udham
Vicky Kaushal made news with his performance as Udham Singh and director Shoojit Sircar direction won many praises. Mainly, the last 20 minutes of the film got universal appreciation.
Bob Biswas
Abhishek Bachchan as Kahani film's Bob Biswas character won praise for his unconventional hitman character and performance.
Mimi
Kriti Sanon and Pankaj Tripathi starrer Mimi discussed a very bold subject about IV pregnancy through Surrogate. Kriti Sanon's performance got rave reviews and Music composed by AR Rahman also became a huge hit. Param Sundari track from the film is still in Year Top 20 big hits.
Atrangi Re
Even though movie did not get highly positive reviews, the number of people that watched the movie upon release on Hotstar Disney plus platform are said to be huge. AR Rahman's music, Sara Ali Khan and Dhanush performances got high praises. Akshay Kumar did his best but his character did not win praises. Second half of the film got negative feedback.