Diwali 2025 is set to illuminate not just homes, but also screens, with a vibrant array of regional Over-The-Top (OTT) releases. As the festive season approaches, several Indian OTT platforms are gearing up to premiere a diverse collection of movies and web series in various regional languages. This Diwali, families can enjoy a mix of stories, ranging from mythological sagas and romantic tales to crime thrillers and reality competitions.
The Rise of Regional OTT Platforms
The demand for diverse, localized content has significantly increased, and OTT platforms are catering to these needs, leaving both commercial and cultural impacts. India, with its strong cultural influence and over 20 official languages, is witnessing a surge in regional content offerings. Several platforms are dedicated to specific languages, offering a wide range of movies, web series, and original content. Some popular regional OTT platforms include:
- Aha: Caters primarily to the Telugu-speaking audience, offering Telugu content, including originals with English subtitles.
- Sun NXT: A major player in the South Indian OTT market with a vast library of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam films and TV series.
- Hoichoi: Focuses on Bengali content, offering a wide range of movies and web series.
- Planet Marathi: India's first OTT platform solely dedicated to Marathi content, offering web series, films, music, theatre, and reality shows.
- Chaupal: Offers content in Punjabi, Haryanvi, and Bhojpuri languages.
Spotlight on Diwali 2025 Releases
Several regional OTT releases are creating buzz for Diwali 2025. Here’s a glimpse into some of the most anticipated titles:
- Aabhyanthara Kuttavaali (Malayalam): A tense social thriller, the film follows Sahadevan, a newly married man who lands in jail after his wife accuses him of domestic abuse and dowry harassment. Starring Asif Ali, Thulasi and Harisree Ashokan, the film is streaming on ZEE5.
- Anandalahari (Telugu): This family drama series follows Anand and Lahari, two complete opposites forced into an arranged marriage. Their home soon becomes a battleground of values, ego, habits and expectations, making the story highly relatable for many Indian couples. Starring Bramarambika Tutika and Abhishek Boddepalli, the series is streaming on Aha.
- Bhagwat Chapter One: Raakshas (Hindi): This dark crime thriller follows Inspector Vishwas Bhagwat, who is transferred to a small Uttar Pradesh town as punishment. Soon after he joins, young girls begin to disappear, pushing him into a chilling investigation that leads to a serial killer hiding in plain sight. Starring Arshad Warsi, Jitendra Kumar and Ayesha Kaduskar, the film is available to stream on ZEE5.
- Kishkindhapuri (Telugu): A harmless scam turns into horror when a group running a fake “ghost walk tour” accidentally awakens a vengeful spirit inside an abandoned radio station. Starring Anupama Parameswaran and Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas, the film streams on ZEE5.
- Madam Sengupta (Bengali): This crime mystery follows a renowned female cartoonist who takes matters into her own hands after her daughter is murdered. Starring Rituparna Sengupta, Rahul Bose and Kaushik Sen, the film is streaming on ZEE5.
- Mirage (Malayalam): A suspense thriller featuring Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali, streams on Sony LIV in multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, and Bengali. The film follows Abhirami, whose life spirals into chaos after her fiancé Kiran mysteriously vanishes.
Beyond Regional Boundaries
While regional OTT platforms are gaining prominence, major platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and ZEE5 are also offering a wide array of regional content. These platforms are investing heavily in original content to keep audiences hooked, with a focus on high-budget productions, diverse genres, and a mix of regional, Hindi, and English originals.
Diwali 2025 promises to be a thrilling time for OTT viewers, with a plethora of regional releases catering to diverse tastes and preferences. Whether you're a fan of gripping thrillers, heartwarming dramas, or light-hearted comedies, there's something for everyone to enjoy this festive season.
