Weekend Watch: From Toxic to Bandar, what to watch in theatres and on OTT

As the final weekend of August begins, audiences have plenty of entertainment options across theatres and streaming platforms. While cinemas are bringing a mix of big-budget action, comedy, romance and survival thrillers, OTT platforms are offering crime dramas, family entertainers, biopics, documentaries and returning international series.

Whether you're looking for a big-screen spectacle or something to watch from the comfort of your home, here's a look at the key releases this week.

OTT releases this weekend

Among the biggest digital premieres this week is Bandar. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the gritty crime thriller stars Bobby Deol as Samar Mehra, a fading television and pop star whose life begins to unravel after he is accused of rape. The film examines media scrutiny, public perception and the consequences of being judged before a legal verdict. Bandar is streaming on ZEE5 from August 28.

Another notable release is Babita Singh Reporting, which arrives on Prime Video on August 28. Nimisha Sajayan plays a suspended police officer who begins investigating the murder of her childhood friend. What starts as an unofficial probe gradually becomes personal as she confronts old memories, family betrayals and unresolved relationships.

Chumbak also makes its streaming debut on Netflix on August 28. Set around five neighbouring Mumbai families, the ensemble comedy follows the chaos that unfolds as celebrations, arguments and private dramas bring the households together. The series comes from the creators of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and Khichdi.

For fans of the King of Pop, Michael arrives on JioHotstar on August 29. Jaafar Jackson portrays his uncle Michael Jackson in the biographical drama, which explores the singer's extraordinary rise to global fame alongside the controversies and personal struggles that shaped his life.

Netflix also brings The Whisper Man on August 28. The thriller follows a widowed crime writer whose eight-year-old son is kidnapped, forcing him to seek help from his estranged father, a former police officer. Their search leads them to a decades-old case involving a notorious serial killer.

Meanwhile, The Last Salute: A Love Letter to MiG-21 is streaming on Netflix after releasing on August 26. The documentary looks at the MiG-21's six-decade association with the Indian Air Force through pilots' personal stories and previously unseen moments.

Viewers can also catch Dark Matter Season 2 on Apple TV from August 28, with Joel Edgerton returning as Jason Dessen as he navigates new mysteries across multiple realities.

In theatres this weekend

Leading the theatrical line-up is Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups, which released worldwide on August 26. Yash stars as Raya in Geetu Mohandas' period gangster drama, set in Goa during the years before its liberation from Portuguese rule. The film blends crime, violence and morally complex characters with a dark fairy-tale aesthetic. The ensemble cast includes Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Tara Sutaria and Rukmini Vasanth. With a runtime of more than three hours and an A certificate, Toxic is among the week's major theatrical releases.

For fans of post-apocalyptic survival thrillers, The Dog Stars releases in Indian cinemas on August 28. Starring Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, the film follows a rookie pilot and a military survivalist living in an isolated homestead after a mysterious pandemic devastates the world. An enigmatic radio signal sets the story in motion as they venture beyond their isolated refuge.

Tamil audiences can also watch Hi, starring Nayanthara and Kavin. The romantic drama follows Mayilsamy, a young man whose life changes after meeting the unconventional Devayani, leading to an unusual relationship and a one-sided marriage. Hi releases in theatres on August 28.

The bigger picture

This week's releases underline the growing range of entertainment choices available across theatres and streaming platforms. While cinemas are banking on big-scale action, sequels and survival dramas, OTT platforms continue to expand their mix of Indian originals, international titles, crime thrillers, documentaries and regional content.

Whether you want Yash's larger-than-life gangster drama on the big screen or a mystery thriller for a weekend binge, the final weekend of August has something for every mood.