Netflix Movie Spotlight: Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira

Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira Movie Poster

Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira is a Malayalam movie that didn’t get glowing reviews. Still, I decided to give it a shot, because over time, I’ve learned that my taste rarely matches what others say. I’ve liked movies that everyone else trashed, and I’ve dropped shows that got rave reviews.

Take Bads of Bollywood, for instance. I quit after three episodes. The humor just didn’t click with me. The Emmy winner, Severance, on Apple TV? I made it to five episodes before giving up. It was too slow for my liking, and yes, I shamelessly looked up the spoilers for both because I couldn’t sit through the rest.

Serious movie fans and critics might think my choices are questionable. And that’s fine. I’m not trying to be anyone’s go-to person for movie recommendations. I watch movies for one simple reason: to be entertained. If a film or show keeps me hooked, that’s all that matters. I’ve also noticed how people often get shamed for liking a movie that others dislike, or for disliking one that everyone praises. This makes many stay silent about their opinions. My attempt at being open is simply to break away from that.

So, with that mindset, I started watching Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira. I didn’t expect much, but I ended up being pleasantly surprised.

What’s It About?

Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira opens with the wedding preparations of a quirky couple. On the night before the wedding, the bride visits the groom with an unusual request: she wants him to arrive at the venue on a horse. It’s her dream, she says. Or rather, it’s something that keeps recurring in her dreams. She believes the dream will stop only if he makes that grand entry for real. The ever-romantic groom agrees without hesitation. But what follows is a chain of chaotic events that quickly spiral out of control.

Thoughts

Unlike most recent Malayalam movies, Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira is not dark, intellectual, or overly smart. The type critics will rave about. And it’s not meant to be. It’s a crackpot of a film filled with quirky, eccentric characters, and that’s exactly why I liked it. I enjoy seeing wacky personalities on screen, the kind you’d find in Andaz Apna Apna. This kind of comedy works for me. It’s not vulgar, it doesn’t demean women, and it’s genuinely funny.

The movie feels like a group of friends coming together to create something chaotic just for fun. More like a personal, experimental project than a polished production. Kudos to Fahadh Faasil and the team for taking that risk. I especially liked Lal’s character as Fahadh’s father, and I thought Revathi Pillai shared better chemistry with Fahadh than Kalyani Priyadarshan did.

I wish the ending were better. It was underwhelming, but that did not take away the fact that I enjoyed the majority of the movie.

Watch it if you’re in the mood for something silly, unserious, and refreshingly offbeat. Don’t expect a masterpiece: just expect a fun, wacky ride to unwind after a long day at work. Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira is now streaming on Netflix.

Netflix Movie Spotlight: Greater Kalesh

It’s Diwali season. This time of year always puts me in the mood for something cozy and family-friendly to watch. But honestly, we just don’t get those kinds of movies anymore. The ones you can enjoy with everyone at home.

Remember the golden ’90s? We’d all sit together and watch Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, or Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge without a single dull moment. Okay, not exactly in my family, as I was the only one truly into Bollywood, while the rest were more drawn to Malayalam movies. But I imagine these were the kind of movies that one would typically watch with their families. Nowadays, to relax, I tune into psychological thrillers because family movies do not feel family-oriented anymore.

That’s why I was keen to watch Greater Kalesh when it dropped on Netflix. It’s perfect for people like me who just want to unwind with something light and heartwarming. At under an hour, it’s an easy, breezy watch before jumping right back into Diwali celebrations.

What’s It About?

A young career woman returns home after a long time to celebrate Diwali with her family. She’s excited for a warm, cheerful reunion, but the moment she steps inside, she’s greeted not by laughter, but by chaos. Her family members are in the middle of a heated argument, and she can’t quite figure out what started it.

Thoughts

Greater Kalesh is short, simple, and surprisingly sweet. It doesn’t have high-stakes drama or a strong, twisting storyline. But that’s exactly what makes it refreshing for me. Sometimes you just want something light, easy, and comforting, and this little film delivers that perfectly. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you seek something more cerebral or non-woke, but to me it felt like peeking into the everyday life of a next-door family and watching them sort things out in their own warm, relatable way.

Ahsaas Channa and Supriya Shukla truly shine here. Their mother-daughter bond feels real and layered. The kind that might make you think of your own mom with a smile.

It’s definitely worth a quick watch. Greater Kalesh is now streaming on Netflix.

Netflix Thriller Spotlight: Wayward

Do you ever pick a series solely based on its synopsis? That’s exactly how I do it. I tend to avoid Netflix teasers and trailers as they are way too detailed, giving away too much, and ruining the element of surprise for me. I prefer diving straight into a story with minimal hints, letting the plot unfold organically. It keeps the narrative fresh and exciting. This could also be because I prefer reading over visuals.

That’s how I ended up choosing Wayward. Just a quick read of the synopsis (which felt interesting), and I was in.

What’s It About?

Wayward is set in a school called Tall Pines. It looks like a regular school at first (just kidding!). But trust me, you’d never want your kid saying their school is anything like this one. It’s an academy where parents send troubled, rebellious teens hoping they’ll be “fixed.” But beneath the surface, something darker seems to be going on. There’s a creepy, almost sinister vibe that makes you question what’s really happening behind those closed doors.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed Wayward. Normally, I take ages to finish a series. Not because I’m swamped with work, but because my attention span has been wrecked by endless Instagram reel scrolling. I just can’t deal with shows that drag on forever. And let’s be honest, a lot of series tend to do exactly that. One-hour episodes stuffed with fillers that barely move the story forward.

But Wayward was refreshingly different. Just 8 episodes, and not once did I feel the urge to check my phone or zone out. I also have a soft spot for women-led storylines, so that probably helped keep me hooked.

The rebellious best friends were a bit much for someone like me. I’m naturally more disciplined. But aside from their chaotic energy, nothing really irked my nerves.

The acting was top-notch. Mae Martin as Alex, the transgender young police officer, and Toni Collette as Evelyn, the head teacher of Tall Pines academy, were perfect in their respective roles. The most layered character, I felt, was that of Laura, played by Sarah Gadon. Alyvia Alyn Lind and Sydney Topliffe as Leila and Abbie were convincing as the troubled teens. The ending could’ve been stronger, sure, but I’m not complaining.

Wayward is streaming on Netflix, with each episode running for about 45 minutes.

Movie Spotlight: Paradha

I actually wanted to watch Paradha in the theatre, because I thought the cast was interesting. It had my lovely curly-haired favourites: Anupama Parameshwaran and Darshana Rajendran, who are known faces in the South. But then I got caught up with other priorities and missed booking a ticket that weekend. Later, I came across some reviews that made me second-guess whether it was worth watching on the big screen and decided to skip going to the theatre. Recently, when it was released on Amazon Prime, I finally decided to watch it.

The movie made me realize that not every review online is meant for you. Reviews often reflect the reviewer’s personal taste, but we tend to assume we’ll feel the same way. I’ve had similar experiences with other films, too, where the reviews were harsh, yet I ended up enjoying them. I still don’t get the importance of movie reviews, because whether we like a movie or not is subjective. But here I am, giving my own movie reviews from a highly subjective viewpoint. I think we should treat reviews as such: personal opinions of someone who loves watching movies, and not the absolute truth.

What’s It About?

Paradha, true to its name, centers on Subbu (Anupama Parameshwaran), a young Hindu woman from a remote Indian village where the tradition of paradha (dupatta veiling) is strictly practiced. While this custom is largely cultural in many parts of India, the film presents it as a religious mandate. The villagers worship Goddess Jwalamma, who they believe commanded that women remain hidden behind a veil. From puberty onward, every girl is forced to follow this rule, with severe consequences for defiance. Subbu, however, finds herself caught in a controversy that threatens her marriage to the man she loves.

Thoughts

Though the story begins with a devout woman who strictly follows religious practices, Paradha is not just about her. It portrays women from different walks of life, each facing gender discrimination in unique ways.

The first woman is deeply religious, bound by the strict purdah or dupatta system. The second, married outside the village, has left purdah behind but remains traditional in other aspects. The third rejects religious traditions altogether, embraces modern values, and focuses on her career. The fourth is a policewoman who’s happily married, enjoying full freedom, and choosing to follow certain traditions out of personal preference rather than compulsion. The movie keeps the narrative balanced this way.

Paradha is a feminist film centered on women’s empowerment, and it may not appeal to everyone. It highlights how women, even the most progressive, continue to face discrimination, no matter how far they try to escape from it.

I really enjoyed the movie. The climax was chilling, and the performances, especially by Anupama Parameshwaran, Darshana Rajendran, and Sangeetha, were superb. It’s a brave film, because criticizing patriarchy is never easy. Often, women themselves defend restrictive practices by saying, “It’s our choice.” But true choice exists only when opting out doesn’t bring harsh criticism or punishment. Many women follow norms not out of freedom, but because they have no other option. The movie captures this truth powerfully.

Paradha is now streaming on Amazon Prime. I watched it in the original Telugu with English subtitles.

Movie Review: The One I Love

A lot of love stories released lately haven’t worked for me. I tried Saiyaara, but it felt more Gen Z-oriented. While they cried, I yawned. As a 40+ year-old, I am not quite sure if that yawn stemmed from a vitamin deficiency or because I was genuinely bored. It’s a tricky age group.

Then, I gave Metro In Dino a shot, only to find every character cheating on their partner… while singing songs, of course, because that’s how it is in Bollywood. Your loved one could have died, but you still end up singing a romantic song for your partner. Remember Suraj Hua Maddham?

While I was on this quest for a good love story, I realized there’s no chance of my stumbling upon a feel-good romcom that meets my dreamy requirements. So I thought, why not pick an old movie that already matches my soul? That’s how I ended up choosing this dark, unsettling Black Mirror-type romance, The One I Love.

What’s It About?

A couple struggling with marital issues goes on a retreat to a remote resort. This place, recommended by their therapist, is where many of his former patients have found healing. The home is warm and spacious, disconnected from the outside world, seemingly perfect for reconciliation. But soon, strange and unexpected events happen, which draw out very different responses from each partner.

Thoughts

I enjoyed the movie. It was gripping and featured some excellent performances.

I felt that even though the movie was released in 2014, it resonates with today’s AI age, where many people turn to artificial means to fulfill emotional needs their partners can’t always meet. The filmmaker probably foresaw a future where this would take shape in some shape or form.

I especially felt for the female lead, who genuinely seemed happy with the new experience. She was finally getting what she had always craved, even if it couldn’t last. It leaves you wondering what you might have done in her place. If you’re emotionally craving for a deeper bond, and you accidentally stumble upon it after years of acceptance that you would never experience it in your lifetime, how would you react?

You look at the character, see her face light up with a happiness that was missing in the previous scenes, and you can’t help but wish she could experience that bliss a bit longer. Routine has a way of dulling your emotions. You do not wish to take things for granted, but it happens anyway. These relatable human emotions make you empathize as well as get annoyed with Sophie (played by the talented Elisabeth Moss).

I would say The One I Love was a good watch. It’s currently available for free (not on rent in India, thankfully) on Amazon Prime.

Netflix Movie Review: Inspector Zende

Inspector Zende Poster with Manoj Bajpayee and other Actors

I was in the mood for something light and funny. Since I’m a bit under the weather, my brain just can’t deal with anything too serious right now. I needed some humour to melt the moodiness away. The sticky Kerala humidity, returning after a long bout of pleasant rainy weather, hasn’t helped either. So when I read the synopsis of Inspector Zende, I thought, yup, this is exactly what I need to watch.

What’s It About?

Inspector Zende is inspired by the real-life story of the officer who caught Charles Sobhraj not once, but twice. In the film, the criminal goes by the name Carl Bhojraj, and the plot follows the inspector’s relentless pursuit to nab him a second time.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed the way the movie was narrated. It was light-hearted and fun. Sure, it drags a little in the middle, but overall, I loved how they kept the tone humorous from start to finish. Given the serious subject, they could easily have gone for a heavy treatment, but thankfully, they didn’t. This is exactly the kind of film I’d like to see more of.

Manoj Bajpayee was brilliant as Inspector Zende. We’ve seen him excel in intense police roles before, but here he shines just as much in a lighter, comic avatar. And honestly, I can’t think of anyone other than Jim Sarbh who could have pulled off Carl Bhojraj so well.

If you’re in the mood for something breezy, I’d definitely recommend Inspector Zende on Netflix.