The last week of January brings a varied mix of South Indian releases to OTT platforms, offering something for almost every kind of viewer. From gritty police thrillers and quiet moral dramas to mythological fantasy and sharp social satire, these films move beyond surface-level entertainment. They ask uncomfortable questions, reflect lived realities, and in some cases, challenge how we look at justice, power, faith, and even death itself. If you’re planning your watchlist for the week, here’s a closer look at the most notable Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada titles streaming between January 19 and January 25.
South OTT releases of the week
Mark – January 23 (JioHotstar)
Set largely over the course of a single chaotic day, Mark is a Kannada action thriller that places its troubled hero right at the centre of a collapsing system. Ajay Markandaya, known as Mark (essayed by Kiccha Sudeep), is a fierce and volatile police officer who has been sidelined due to increasing violence under his watch. When news breaks of a large-scale child abduction racket operating across Karnataka, Mark is pulled back into action.
What begins as a professional crisis soon turns personal after his mother is attacked and a child close to her goes missing. Forced to act outside official protocol, Mark dives deep into Bengaluru’s criminal network, where crime, politics, and power intersect.
Sirai – January 23 (ZEE5)
Quiet, restrained, and deeply affecting, Sirai takes a very different approach to crime drama. Set in 2003, against the backdrop of post-riot Tamil Nadu, the film follows Kathiravan, a reserve police constable tasked with escorting an undertrial prisoner to court.
The journey itself is uneventful on the surface, but as the hours pass, Kathiravan begins to understand the devastating reality of Abdul Rauf’s life. Imprisoned for years without proper legal representation, Abdul becomes a symbol of systemic neglect and bias.
45 – January 23 (ZEE5)
In 45, a Kannada fantasy-action drama, death is not an ending but a ticking clock. Vinay (Raj B Shetty), a soft-spoken software engineer, survives a freak accident only to learn that he has exactly 45 days left to live. This strange delay is overseen by Rayappa (Upendra Rao), a cruel local don who is also the embodiment of Yamaraja, the god of death.
As Vinay’s remaining days mirror ideas from the Garuda Purana, he is confronted by visions, past mistakes, and karmic consequences. Seeking peace, he turns to a spiritual guide who offers a path toward acceptance rather than escape.
Cheekatilo – January 23 (Prime Video)
Cheekatilo is a Telugu crime thriller that places its focus firmly on psychological tension rather than physical violence. Sobhita Dhulipala stars as Sandhya, a true-crime podcaster whose academic interest in criminal minds becomes personal after her intern is murdered.
While revisiting an old serial killer case in Hyderabad, Sandhya uses her podcast as a tool to expose hidden truths. Along the way, she encounters police apathy, patriarchal resistance, and her own unresolved trauma. The film questions the ethics of true-crime storytelling and the emotional cost of seeking justice.
Mahasenha – Aha
Rooted in folklore and environmental concerns, Mahasenha unfolds in the dense Kurangani forests. The story revolves around the mythical Yaali idol believed to hold immense spiritual power, protected by an elephant named Sena and a tribal guardian.
As outsiders, including corrupt forces and thrill-seeking trekkers, attempt to exploit the forest and its beliefs, nature itself becomes a force of resistance.
Dhandoraa – Amazon Prime Video
Dhandoraa takes place over a single day in a rural village, following the aftermath of an unexpected death. Told through multiple perspectives, the film slowly reveals how grief can be manipulated and performed for social gain.
Using sharp satire and dark humour, Dhandoraa examines caste hierarchies, hypocrisy, and moral posturing. Beneath its simple setting lies a pointed commentary on how communities often prioritise convenience and image over genuine compassion. Stay tuned!
South OTT releases of the week
Mark – January 23 (JioHotstar)
Set largely over the course of a single chaotic day, Mark is a Kannada action thriller that places its troubled hero right at the centre of a collapsing system. Ajay Markandaya, known as Mark (essayed by Kiccha Sudeep), is a fierce and volatile police officer who has been sidelined due to increasing violence under his watch. When news breaks of a large-scale child abduction racket operating across Karnataka, Mark is pulled back into action.
What begins as a professional crisis soon turns personal after his mother is attacked and a child close to her goes missing. Forced to act outside official protocol, Mark dives deep into Bengaluru’s criminal network, where crime, politics, and power intersect.
Sirai – January 23 (ZEE5)
Quiet, restrained, and deeply affecting, Sirai takes a very different approach to crime drama. Set in 2003, against the backdrop of post-riot Tamil Nadu, the film follows Kathiravan, a reserve police constable tasked with escorting an undertrial prisoner to court.
The journey itself is uneventful on the surface, but as the hours pass, Kathiravan begins to understand the devastating reality of Abdul Rauf’s life. Imprisoned for years without proper legal representation, Abdul becomes a symbol of systemic neglect and bias.
45 – January 23 (ZEE5)
In 45, a Kannada fantasy-action drama, death is not an ending but a ticking clock. Vinay (Raj B Shetty), a soft-spoken software engineer, survives a freak accident only to learn that he has exactly 45 days left to live. This strange delay is overseen by Rayappa (Upendra Rao), a cruel local don who is also the embodiment of Yamaraja, the god of death.
As Vinay’s remaining days mirror ideas from the Garuda Purana, he is confronted by visions, past mistakes, and karmic consequences. Seeking peace, he turns to a spiritual guide who offers a path toward acceptance rather than escape.
Cheekatilo – January 23 (Prime Video)
Cheekatilo is a Telugu crime thriller that places its focus firmly on psychological tension rather than physical violence. Sobhita Dhulipala stars as Sandhya, a true-crime podcaster whose academic interest in criminal minds becomes personal after her intern is murdered.
While revisiting an old serial killer case in Hyderabad, Sandhya uses her podcast as a tool to expose hidden truths. Along the way, she encounters police apathy, patriarchal resistance, and her own unresolved trauma. The film questions the ethics of true-crime storytelling and the emotional cost of seeking justice.
Mahasenha – Aha
Rooted in folklore and environmental concerns, Mahasenha unfolds in the dense Kurangani forests. The story revolves around the mythical Yaali idol believed to hold immense spiritual power, protected by an elephant named Sena and a tribal guardian.
As outsiders, including corrupt forces and thrill-seeking trekkers, attempt to exploit the forest and its beliefs, nature itself becomes a force of resistance.
Dhandoraa – Amazon Prime Video
Dhandoraa takes place over a single day in a rural village, following the aftermath of an unexpected death. Told through multiple perspectives, the film slowly reveals how grief can be manipulated and performed for social gain.
Using sharp satire and dark humour, Dhandoraa examines caste hierarchies, hypocrisy, and moral posturing. Beneath its simple setting lies a pointed commentary on how communities often prioritise convenience and image over genuine compassion. Stay tuned!
