9 New OTT Releases This Weekend That Are Worth Watching

Mumbai, January 17: Anyone scrolling through their TV this weekend will notice something immediately. Every app looks busy. Netflix has new banners, ZEE5 is flashing fresh posters, SonyLIV is pushing a serious-looking crime show, and even Apple TV+ has stepped in with another season of a tense thriller. It is one of those weekends where OTT platforms seem to have decided that viewers will figure it out on their own.

There is no single theme tying these releases together. Comedy sits next to crime. Hindi films compete with Malayalam series. Hollywood stars appear on the same home screen as regional debuts. It feels messy, crowded, and very intentional.

Mastiii 4 Plays It Safe And Loud

The most familiar name in the mix is Mastiii 4, which started streaming on ZEE5 from January 16.

The faces are unchanged. Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, and Aftab Shivdasani return as three men who are clearly uncomfortable with the idea of growing older quietly. Marriage has not settled them. Responsibility has not slowed them down. Trouble, as always, finds them easily.

This film does not pretend to be subtle. The jokes are obvious, the situations are exaggerated, and the tone is unapologetically old-school. According to Vogue India, the film is aimed squarely at viewers who remember the early 2000s version of Bollywood comedy and do not mind revisiting it from the comfort of their couch.

That it is streaming directly, rather than chasing box office numbers, says more about audience habits than about the film itself.

The Rip Brings Old Friends Back On Screen

On Netflix, the big international attraction this weekend is The Rip, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

Set in Miami, the film follows police officers who come across a huge amount of cartel money during a raid. What sounds like a lucky break quickly turns into a slow, uncomfortable test of character. Who keeps the money. Who reports it. Who starts lying to protect themselves.

As reported by Moneycontrol, this is not a loud action film. It moves steadily, letting tension build through conversations and decisions. Netflix has quietly built a space for this kind of crime drama, especially for viewers who prefer mood over mayhem.

Taskaree Looks At Crime Without Glamour

Netflix’s Indian offering this week is Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web, featuring Emraan Hashmi.

Hashmi plays a customs officer working at Mumbai International Airport, dealing with a smuggling network that moves luxury goods and illegal cargo with ease. The show spends time on systems rather than shortcuts. Files, pressure from seniors, and the constant temptation to look the other way are central to the story.

According to The Economic Times, the series keeps its feet on the ground. It avoids dramatic hero moments and instead focuses on how exhausting it can be to stay honest when corruption feels routine.

Kalamkaval Takes The Slow Road

Over on SonyLIV, Kalamkaval arrives without flashy promotion.

Produced by and starring Mammootty, the series follows a police investigation that unfolds at its own pace. There is no rush to impress. Scenes linger. Silence matters. Small details slowly add up.

As per The Economic Times, this restrained approach has worked well for Malayalam content on OTT, where audiences seem willing to invest time if the writing holds up.

Hijack Season 2 Continues Without Letting Go

For those who prefer international thrillers, Hijack returns with Season 2 on Apple TV+.

The show builds again around an aviation crisis, but this time the scale is larger. The pressure does not ease, and the consequences stretch beyond a single aircraft.

According to OTTplay, the second season sticks to what worked earlier. Tight pacing, limited distractions, and constant tension. Apple TV+ may release fewer shows, but it rarely treats them casually.

Smaller Releases Fill The Gaps

Away from the headlines, there is plenty more to choose from. Can This Love Be Translated? on Netflix explores relationships formed across cultural and language barriers. On ZEE5, Gurram Paapi Reddy contributes to the growing list of regional crime stories that are finding national audiences.

There is also Bha. Bha. Ba., a chaotic comedy about a robbery that goes badly wrong, complete with plastic animal masks and accidental hostages.

Expected shortly is 120 Bahadur, starring Farhan Akhtar, which is set to release on Amazon Prime Video. The film leans into military history and emotional storytelling rather than spectacle.

Too Much To Watch, Too Little Time

This weekend makes one thing clear. Streaming platforms are no longer spacing out releases. They are stacking them. January, once considered a quiet month, now feels as competitive as any other.

Some shows will get talked about. Others will quietly disappear under the weight of choice. Viewers will sample, abandon, return, and scroll again.

For now, the only certainty is this. If you cannot find something to watch this weekend, it is not because there is nothing new.

Stay ahead with Hindustan Herald — bringing you trusted news, sharp analysis, and stories that matter across Politics, Business, Technology, Sports, Entertainment, Lifestyle, and more.
Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, and join our Telegram community @hindustanherald for real-time updates.

Ayesha Khan

Entertainment Correspondent – Ayesha@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers films, television, streaming, and celebrity culture with a focus on storytelling trends.

Breaking