Weekend Watch: From Daayra to Jailer 2, what to watch on OTT and in theatres this weekend

As November progresses, audiences have a fresh line-up of entertainment options across cinemas and streaming platforms. The OTT slate includes Daayra, Student of the Year: After Dark, Jailer 2 and the third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Meanwhile, theatres bring Hollywood releases such as I Play Rocky, Wildwood, and Ghost Soldier, offering audiences a mix of biographical drama, animation and action.

Whether you're looking for a big-screen release or a weekend binge, here's what to watch this week.

OTT releases this week

One of the major OTT releases this week is Daayra, which premieres on Netflix on November 13. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the crime thriller stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The story follows DCP Ajooni Kohli (Kareena Kapoor Khan), who investigates a controversial police encounter involving four rape suspects killed in custody. Her investigation brings her into conflict with DCP Raman Kumar (Prithviraj Sukumaran), whose actions have made him a celebrated figure. As the case unfolds, questions emerge about whether the encounter was staged, bringing issues of accountability, institutional pressure, and justice into focus.

Another release to watch is Student of the Year: After Dark, which premieres on JioHotstar on November 13. Directed by Reema Maya, the thriller marks Shanaya Kapoor's digital debut, with Divik Sharma also featuring in the cast. Set in the elite St. Teresa's institution, the story follows Aditi Malik, who goes undercover at the school after the mysterious death of her twin sister, Aayesha. As she enters the Student of the Year competition to investigate her sister's death, she finds herself caught in a web of secrets, rivalries, and betrayal.

For viewers looking for a romantic comedy, Parivarik ManuRanjan arrives on SonyLIV on November 13. Starring Pankaj Tripathi and Aditi Rao Hydari, the film follows Ranjan, an easygoing bachelor from Lucknow, whose life changes when he meets Helen, a property manager from Delhi. As the two begin sharing a historic mansion, their contrasting personalities lead to disagreements before an unexpected romance develops. However, neighbourhood gossip and an unforeseen police investigation complicate their relationship.

Netflix is also reported to be bringing Ranabaali on November 13, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna. Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the Telugu period action drama is set in 1870s South India. Deverakonda plays a warrior who rises against British colonial rule and becomes a figure of resistance alongside his wife Jayamma, played by Rashmika Mandanna. The film also features Arnold Vosloo and will be available in multiple Indian languages. The November 13 streaming date should be treated as unconfirmed, as reports indicate that the date was briefly posted and subsequently removed by Netflix.

Another major release is Jailer 2, which arrived on Amazon Prime Video on November 12. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, the sequel to the 2023 blockbuster sees Rajinikanth return as retired jailer Tiger Muthuvel Pandian. Drawn out of retirement once again, Muthuvel takes on a powerful criminal syndicate with political and international connections. As old enemies seek revenge and new alliances complicate matters, he must protect his family and confront the network threatening them.

For fantasy enthusiasts, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3 premiered on Amazon Prime Video on November 11. Set five years after the fall of Eregion, the new season finds Middle-earth heading towards an open war against Sauron. With the Dark Lord now commanding from his completed tower of Barad-dûr, his plans to forge the One Ring threaten the different realms. The Elves and Dwarves must navigate growing conflicts and form alliances to confront the expanding threat. The season's eight episodes are being released in batches, with the first four premiering on November 11, followed by two episodes on November 18 and the final two on November 25.

Another Netflix release is The Empress Season 3, which arrived on November 12. The German historical drama returns for its third and final season, with Devrim Lingnau and Philip Froissant reprising their roles as Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz. Following the devastating Sardinian War, the new season explores political instability, personal losses and growing pressure on the imperial couple as Elisabeth faces difficult choices between her personal desires and responsibilities to the empire.

For viewers interested in crime dramas, Heartland arrives on Netflix on November 13. Written and directed by Shana Feste, the mystery thriller stars Jessica Chastain as Misty Jones, a former country music superstar whose life changes when her niece goes missing. Her search takes her into the criminal underbelly of Nashville, uncovering secrets and dangerous connections far removed from the music industry that once defined her career.

Another release to watch is Bandra, which premieres on ZEE5 on November 13. Directed by Arun Gopy, the romantic gangster drama stars Dileep and Tamannaah Bhatia. Set against the backdrop of 1990s Hindi cinema and organised crime, the film follows businessman Alexander Aala Dominic, whose life becomes intertwined with actress Tara Janaki. As her troubled past and connections to the film industry come to light, the story moves into a world of crime and revenge.

Other titles arriving on streaming platforms include 12 12 12, a crime thriller starring Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, on Apple TV on November 13; Blind Game, featuring Arjun Rampal and Priyamani, on ZEE5 on November 11; and Cunk on Cinema, starring Diane Morgan, on Netflix on November 15. The latter follows the hilariously uninformed presenter Philomena Cunk as she explores the history of cinema, from the invention of the camera to artificial intelligence.

In theatres this week

One of the major theatrical releases this week is I Play Rocky, which arrives in cinemas on November 13. Directed by Peter Farrelly, the biographical drama stars Anthony Ippolito as a young Sylvester Stallone. The film follows Stallone's struggle to bring his screenplay for Rocky to the big screen. Despite repeated rejections and lucrative offers to sell the script, Stallone insists on playing the lead character, Rocky Balboa, himself. The film traces the challenges he faces while trying to turn his ambitious project into the 1976 boxing classic.

Another theatrical release is Wildwood, an animated fantasy adventure arriving on November 13. Directed by Travis Knight, the film features the voices of Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett and Awkwafina. The story follows a young girl named Prue, who enters a mysterious forest to rescue her younger brother. As she ventures deeper into the woodland, she discovers a hidden world filled with strange creatures, rival groups and unexpected dangers.

For action thriller enthusiasts, Ghost Soldier is also listed for a November 13 theatrical release. Directed by William Eubank, the film stars Jim Caviezel as Henry Fitzgerald, a former Special Forces soldier who has chosen to live a quiet life away from the world. His peaceful existence is disrupted when a powerful corporation threatens to seize his community's land. Forced to confront his past, Fitzgerald uses his military experience to protect his neighbours and fight back.

The bigger picture

This week’s entertainment slate brings a mix of crime thrillers, fantasy dramas, romantic comedies and action films. OTT platforms have several notable releases lined up, including Jailer 2, Daayra and Student of the Year: After Dark, while theatres offer Hollywood titles such as I Play Rocky, Wildwood, and Ghost Soldier.

With several new titles arriving across platforms and languages, audiences have plenty of options for both a theatre outing and a weekend watchlist.