Screen Time: Love, Longing, and a Lot of Obsession
Promising screening options at the start of 2025 include a man who longs for home, a journalist who fights his inner demons, a cashier who games the system, a family that falls apart on the happiest day of the year, and a mad obsession.
Meiyazhagan (Tamil)
Netflix
Oh, what joy to see Arvind Swamy and Karthi share the screen, their banter lighting up the screen in this touching tale of human connection. Arul (Swamy) is nervous about returning to his hometown for a cousin's wedding. It's a place full of fond memories, but one he had to leave after his father lost their family home to relatives under bitter circumstances. Arul plans to quietly attend the wedding and slip away without engaging with his extended family. If only it were that simple. Enter a lively, over-friendly young man (Karthi), who insists on calling Arul "Atthan" (big brother) and attends to his every need. Arul has no idea who this man is. As the story unfolds, Arul embarks on a journey of selfdiscovery, realizing the importance of family, human connections, and the meaning of home. Swamy and Karthi share fantastic chemistry, with moments that will tug at your heartstrings. Watch for the emotional scenes, as Swamy's quiet restraint contrasts beautifully with Karthi's effervescent energy. The pace of the film is deliberate at times, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own complex personal relationships.
Lucky Baskhar (Telugu)
Netflix
After showcasing his versatility in recent hits like Charlie and Sita Ramam, Dulquer Salmaan shines in this gripping tale of desperation, greed, and moral downfall set against the vibrant backdrop of 1989 Bombay. He delivers a standout performance as Baskhar, a bank cashier burdened by crippling debt who decides to game the system. His transformation from an earnest, vulnerable man to someone intoxicated by power and greed is nothing short of riveting. Salmaan masterfully captures Baskhar's gradual moral decay, balancing moments of cold arrogance with flashes of vulnerability that make the character deeply relatable yet unsettling.
Director Venky Atluri does a stellar job bringing 1989 Bombay to life with detailed production design and an atmosphere that feels straight out of the era. It’s a feast for the senses that instantly immerses you in the story. And for Dulquer Salmaan fans, Baskhar is yet another reminder of why he’s such a powerhouse. The film lets him flex his range in a layered, morally grey role he completely owns. If you’ve loved his boy-next-door charm in Bangalore Days or the smoldering intensity of Kali, this one’s another gem to add to his collection. Salmaan is like a chameleon—effortlessly slipping into Baskhar’s conflicted world and taking you along for the ride.
Despatch (Hindi)
ZEE5
If you’re familiar with Kanu Behl’s earlier works like Titli or Agra, you know he’s not one to shy away from dark, unsettling narratives. His films dig deep into human flaws and moral ambiguity, leaving audiences with a lot to unpack. Despatch is no different, taking us into the gritty, high-stakes world of crime journalism. The film revolves around Joy (played by Manoj Bajpayee), a crime journalist chasing a career-defining story while juggling a messy personal life—a troubled marriage, an affair, and fraught family dynamics involving his mother and differently-abled brother. When a currency smuggler’s murder opens the door to a web of corruption and underworld dealings, Joy dives in headfirst, risking everything for a scoop.
Drawing inspiration from the real-life murder of investigative journalist Jyotirmoy Dey, known professionally as J. Dey—Full disclosure: we were colleagues at The Indian Express in Mumbai—Despatch sheds light on the dangers journalists face in uncovering uncomfortable truths in a media landscape often manipulated by powerful forces. The film reflects on the ethical compromises Joy makes as he chases a headline-worthy story.
Gharat Ganpat (Marathi)
Amazon Prime Video
What better way to cozy up on a chilly afternoon than with a chaotic and delightful family drama that blends humor, emotions, and social commentary seamlessly!
Set in a small Goan village, the Gharat family’s 124-year-old Ganpati festival is the heart of the story. It’s a time when the entire family comes together, led by Appa (Dr. Sharad Bhutadia) and Mai (Sushma Deshpande). The younger son Sharad (Ajinkya Deo) returns from Mumbai with his wife Ahilya (Ashwini Bhave) and their children, Ketan (Bhushan Pradhan) and Neha (Rajasi Bhave). But this year, Ketan surprises everyone by bringing along Kriti (Nikita Dutta), a yoga instructor and influencer—and potentially, his future wife.
What begins as a cheerful celebration soon unravels into family conflicts. Financial troubles threaten the festival’s future, and Ahilya’s disapproval of Kriti adds fuel to the fire. As generational clashes surface, the film dives into themes of family bonds, cultural traditions, and the inevitable march of change.
Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen 2 (Hindi)
Netflix
If you loved the gripping twists of season one, you’ll find even more to adore in the second season of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein. The story continues to follow Vikrant (Tahir Raj Bhasin), a man caught in a forced marriage with Purva (Anchal Singh), the fiercely obsessive daughter of a powerful and ruthless criminal. Vikrant remains hopelessly in love with his ex-girlfriend Shikha (Shweta Tripathi Sharma), now married to someone else. Desperation drives him to hire a hitman to eliminate Purva, but his plan backfires, plunging him into a spiral of chaos and violence. As he tries to escape, Vikrant’s actions grow darker, further complicating his quest for freedom.
This season, however, belongs to Purva. Her painful backstory and obsessive need to control Vikrant add layers to her character, making her as sympathetic as she is menacing. Anchal Singh has quite the screen presence, portraying Purva’s vulnerability and ruthlessness with equal intensity, making her one of the most compelling characters of the series. Director Sidharth Sengupta expertly balances dark themes with grounded storytelling.
Baisakhi Roy is a culture writer and journalist based in Ontario, Canada. Her work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Huffington Post Canada, Chatelaine, Broadview and CBC. Formerly a reporter with The Indian Express in India, Roy is an avid Bollywood fan and co-hosts the Hindi language podcast KhabardaarPodcast.com. Email: baisakhi.roy@gmail.com
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