Three incredible stories and content not be missed on OTT
It’s rare to see multiple awesome OTT shows or movies in the same weekend. Well, for me, this weekend was one of those.
Spoiler alert: None involve traditional Bollywood or Hollywood movies filled with big stars. The Secret Sauce? The Content. That’s it. That’s what drives success in today’s world, and I think amid 200–500 crores of mindless big-budget content, you still get thoughtful content, and it’s bliss!
I started my Friday night with a very unusual watch: Sisterhood on Amazon Mini TV. Firstly, I am in awe of the amazing feel-good and relatable content Amazon Mini TV has. I always see their shows referred to in reels everywhere. Sisterhood is produced by Girliyappa and features familiar faces like Bhagyashree Limaye (Bhadipa fame) and Nitya Thakur, which intrigued me. Teen shows are relatable to me since I have a teen daughter.
Sisterhood is a tale of four girls in a convent school and their friendship bond. On the surface, it seems like a usual story, but as you start to watch, it feels far more relatable than the Karan Johar school universe (remember SOTY?). It’s a story of a bond between girls from different backgrounds, ambitions, and struggles growing up. It feels like a mash-up of different characters but still delivers a symphony. Although it has the usual setup of a four-girl group, a class snitch, and strict teachers, the emotional roller-coaster each girl and the group go through is very real. The love and care they show for each other, even in times of hardship, is amazing. I could relate to my little one, who is now growing up. Don’t miss the song “Laakho mein ek hi.” It’s damn good!
A special mention to Nayna Sham, the show's director, whom we all know from FilterCopy sketches and videos. She has done a tremendous job with direction and storyline. Kudos to her!
Saturday afternoon was planned for Inside Out 2. Inside Out is a modern depiction of Pixar’s brilliance in creativity after their initial non-human-based (yet felt very human) movies like Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc. Inside Out should not be classified as a movie for kids just because it’s animated. It’s a movie every adult can relate to, filled with complex concepts you will miss if you treat it as a breezy watch.
Inside Out 2 starts where the first instalment pauses, with Riley’s (the little girl’s) mom and dad thinking that their girl is growing up and wondering what else could go wrong. Now, Riley is a teenager and gets introduced to multiple new emotions like anxiety, boredom, envy, embarrassment, and dark secrets. “Joy,” who always wishes to be at the helm of Riley’s emotions, starts to see increasing involvement of Anxiety, especially when she realises that her old friends will no longer be with her in ice hockey, and she is now compelled to make herself “fit in” with new folks. Like in the last film, Joy’s mission is to win back control from overwhelmed Anxiety and the team, and the roller-coaster ride unfolds.
Just like we learned about core memories in the first film, this time, we get introduced to the sense of belief and how it gets rooted in one’s esteem. I found the creative depiction of this concept mind-blowing. If only we knew this while we were growing up.
The climax is amazing. Just like in the earlier film, Joy realizes that it’s all part of growing up, and she has to give way to new emotions, although she does not get carried away enough to replace the core sense of belief.
In both films, one underlying truth is told: while a human being is expected to be happy and joyous, all other emotions, like sadness and anxiety, have their roles to play. You could have multiple beliefs based on your emotions and situations. This is why the human mind and heart are complex to understand, yet sometimes, these flavours and layers make life a winning adventure.
Again, Pixar won hearts with Inside Out 2, and it was a difficult task considering the bar they set with the first movie. Please watch it with your kids, teenagers, or little ones. I won’t be surprised if you find yourself at the console, juggling these emotions daily.
4 out of 5.
The content marathon this weekend ended with Kota Factory Season 3. TVF cannot go wrong.
This time, in Kota Factory, I found Jeetu Bhaiyya experiencing multiple emotions and being overwhelmed by what was happening around him. Of course, you see the struggles of Meena, Uday, Vaibhav, Vartika, and Shivangi.
For me, the highlight has been Jeetu Bhaiyya, who is no longer just in the role of a solution provider but is now battling his own choices and life. I guess that happens when life moves along and compels you to move your priorities and roles. You see Jeetu Bhaiyya struggling to maintain AIMER’s (his institute’s) identity and re-evaluating whether he is a bhaiyya or a sir. Beyond the other plot, I found it so relatable and compelling.
When he finally makes a new choice, you see his car and Vaibhav’s auto taking different paths at the GolChakkar in Kota. To me, that summed up Kota Factory 3. It was like the ageing of fine wine. Such a mature take! I wonder how TVF comes up with such gems in every series.
Unpopular opinion: Jeetendra Kumar is better in Kota Factory 3 than in Panchayat. That’s how high the bar is now set.
I still hope to see the Kota Factory frame turn into a colourful collage of happiness. Maybe in season 4?
4 out of 5.
