This Week’s Theater and OTT Releases: Crime Thrillers, Family Dramas, and Comedy Entertainers

Movie lovers have a few new things to check out this week, across theaters and OTT platforms too. There is a mix of crime thrillers , romantic dramas, family entertainer types and even web series in multiple languages. From the much-awaited Drishyam 3 to some fresh OTT releases on Netflix, ZEE5 and Amazon Prime, audiences can look forward to suspense , some emotion and yeah a bit of humor as well.

Drishyam 3 Is Back Again, With Yet Another Mystery

The Drishyam universe still feels like one of the most successful thriller franchises in Indian cinema. It was first made in Malayalam , then the story travelled to wider audiences through remakes in many languages. Now, the third part carries the same ride forward for Georgekutty, along with his family.

This installment is directed by Jeethu Joseph, and Drishyam 3 stars Mohanlal in the lead role. The release is planned for May 21 in Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada. The makers say the new chapter leans harder into emotional depth, but the suspense stays, the same kind that made the earlier films click.

Ugly Story Digs Into Obsession, and Mental Pressure

Ugly Story is a romantic thriller directed by Pranava Swaroop. The movie includes Nandu , Avika Gor, and Raviteja Mahadasyam in key roles. It’s set for a theatrical release on May 22.

The plot centers on a man who has loved a woman since childhood, like really deeply. But when he finds out she loves someone else, his feelings turn unstable, in a slow but dangerous way. After that, the film tracks the risky choices he makes as his psychological state keeps worsening, step by step.

Purushah Brings a Family Comedy With a Male View

Director Veeru Ulavala calls Purushah a complete family entertainer, with humor running through the whole film, kind of nonstop. The cast has Pawan Kalyan , Saptagiri , and Rajkumar Kasireddy in prominent roles. The film will hit theaters on May 22.

The makers say that a lot of films tend to lock in on wives or the whole marriage dynamic, from an everyday angle , you know, the familiar sort of view. But here, the film kind of does it the other way around, it tells the tale through the husband’s perspective. They also quietly hint at something unexpected that viewers will realize while the movie keeps going, not upfront, kind of.  

First Time 01-01-01 Focuses on Visual Scale  

First Time 01-01-01 stars Saurabh Dhingra and Anika Vikram. Hemanth Ippapalli directs , and he also produces the film. The release is lined up for May 22.  

In the promotional notes it feels like the project gives a special kind of focus to visual effects and that big, wide-screen type presentation. The production team wrapped up the principal portions of filming not too long ago, and they are now gearing up for a theatrical launch.  

Ramani Kalyanam Brings a Family-Centered Love Story  

Directed by Vijay Adireddy, Ramani Kalyanam has Surya Vashistta and Deepsikha Chandran playing the main pair. This family-driven drama is expected to hit theaters on May 22.  

The film taps into love, marriage, and personal battles, in a more grounded way. The plot tracks a young couple as they handle difficulties , and try to shape a peaceful future together. Promotional material points to the movie wanting to feel like lighthearted family entertainment, the kind you can watch without too much weight.  

OTT Releases This Week  

Alongside these, multiple streaming services are rolling out fresh films and web series across Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, and English this week too.  

Jio Hotstar  

• Jetlee (Telugu Movie) — May 25  

Sun NXT  

• Sathi Leelavathi (Telugu Movie) — May 20  

Netflix  

• One Tree Hill (English Web Series) — May 21  
• James: Season 1 (English Web Series) — May 21  
• The Burrows (English Web Series) — May 21  

ZEE5  

• Warrant: From the World of Vilangu (Tamil Web Series) — May 21  
• Memu COP-lam (Telugu Web Series) — May 22  

SonyLIV  

• Madhu Vidhu (Movie) — May 22  

Amazon Prime Video  

• Bheeshmar (Malayalam Movie) — May 22
• System (Hindi and Telugu Movie) — May 22
• Sky + Med: Season 4 (English Web Series) — May 22