Your weekend watchlist: The biggest OTT and theatre releases this week

This week brings a packed entertainment slate for Indian audiences, with streaming platforms and cinema halls offering everything from intense romances and gripping thrillers to patriotic spectacles and real-life inspired dramas. Whether you’re planning a quiet binge-watch at home or a big-screen outing, the third week of January has plenty to keep you entertained.

OTT releases this week

Romance lovers have much to look forward to with Tere Ishk Mein, which begins streaming on Netflix from January 23. Directed by Aanand L Rai, the film stars Dhanush and Kriti Sanon in an emotionally charged love story set against the ghats of Benaras. The narrative explores obsession, heartbreak and transformation, tracing how an all-consuming romance can both heal and destroy.

Another relationship-driven drama arriving on OTT is Gustaakh Ishq, which starts streaming on JioHotstar on January 23. Set in the late 1990s, the film stars Vijay Varma as a struggling publisher in Old Delhi who travels to Punjab to revive his late father’s printing press by publishing the unseen work of a legendary poet. What begins as a professional mission soon turns into a poignant love story when he meets a woman played by Fatima Sana Shaikh, blending nostalgia, poetry and personal conflict. The film also features Naseeruddin Shah in a pivotal role and marks designer Manish Malhotra’s debut as a producer.

For viewers drawn to real-life stories, Space Gen: Chandrayaan makes its debut on JioHotstar on January 23. Inspired by actual events, the series chronicles ISRO’s journey from the disappointment of Chandrayaan-2 to the historic success of Chandrayaan-3. Beyond science and strategy, the show focuses on the emotional resilience of the scientists who worked under immense national pressure.

Thriller fans can tune into Steal, streaming on Prime Video from January 21. Headlined by Sophie Turner, the series revolves around an ordinary office employee who finds herself trapped in the middle of a massive pension fund heist involving billions of pounds. As the investigation unfolds, the show raises unsettling questions about power, responsibility and who truly pays the price for white-collar crime.

The fantasy genre also gets a fresh addition with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which started streaming in India on JioHotstar on January 19. Set in the Game of Thrones universe, the series offers a lighter, more character-driven story, following a wandering knight and his young squire as they journey through Westeros and stumble into larger political conflicts.

Regional-language content adds further depth to this week’s OTT lineup. Telugu crime thriller Cheekatilo arrives on Prime Video on January 23 and follows a true-crime podcaster whose investigation into her friend’s mysterious death leads her into a dark and long-buried serial killer case. Meanwhile, Kannada action thriller Mark begins streaming on JioHotstar on January 23, starring Kiccha Sudeep as a suspended police officer racing against time to dismantle a child trafficking network.

In theatres this week

On the big screen, the most talked-about release is Border 2, which hits theatres across India on January 23, just ahead of Republic Day. Nearly three decades after the original Border, the sequel revisits the 1971 Indo-Pak war, showcasing coordinated operations of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force. Led by Sunny Deol, along with Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, the film promises large-scale action and a strong dose of patriotism.

Malayalam cinema offers a more offbeat theatrical experience with Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies, which releases in theatres on January 22. Set in Fort Kochi, the film follows a group of unlikely men who form a wrestling club, blending action, humour and emotion as rivalries threaten to break their fragile brotherhood.

Kannada releases this week lean towards intense social themes. Landlord, releasing on January 22, is set in a rural village in the 1980s and explores the rise of a common man against a tyrannical landlord, offering a raw narrative about power, land and resistance. Another Kannada release, Cult, arriving in cinemas on January 23, delves into blind faith and manipulation, tracing how a man’s life changes after joining a charismatic leader’s group that gradually turns oppressive.

International cinema also makes its way to Indian theatres with Marty Supreme, which releases in India on January 23. Starring Timothée Chalamet, the film is inspired by the life of a 1950s ping-pong player and explores ambition, struggle and survival, blending sports drama with personal turmoil.

With emotionally rich romances, edge-of-the-seat thrillers, inspiring real-life stories and large-scale theatrical spectacles, this week’s OTT and cinema releases offer something for every kind of viewer. Whether you prefer streaming from the comfort of your home or the immersive experience of a theatre, there’s no shortage of compelling stories to choose from.