Alpha leads a packed OTT weekend with six new titles to stream

MUMBAI: The weekend has gone full throttle, and the OTT menu is anything but low-key. From espionage and crime to serial killers, pop royalty and musical romance, streaming platforms are rolling out a six-title mix, with Yash Raj Films’ Alpha leading the charge.

Released on August 28 and streaming on Netflix, Alpha marks the first female-led film in Yash Raj Films’ expanding Spy Universe. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the Hindi action thriller stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari Wagh as elite RAW agents who are thrown into dangerous missions and unexpected threats. Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor play pivotal roles, while Hrithik Roshan makes a special appearance as Kabir from the War franchise.

The film has received mixed reviews from critics, although audiences have widely responded to its high-octane action and the performances of its lead actors. With Alpha, the Spy Universe puts its female agents firmly in the driving seat.

Also arriving on August 28 is Bandar, which premiered on Zee5. Starring Bobby Deol, Sanya Malhotra and Saba Azad, the Hindi crime thriller follows Samar, a once-popular television star whose life takes a dark turn after his former girlfriend accuses him of rape. As he navigates a corrupt legal system, the story explores the fallout from the accusation and the secrets surrounding his past.

Over on Netflix, The Whisper Man also premiered on August 28. The thriller follows a widowed crime writer whose eight-year-old son is abducted, forcing him to seek help from his retired detective father. Their search eventually leads them towards a chilling connection with an old serial-killer case.

For music fans, August 29 brings Michael to Prime Video and JioHotstar. Starring Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo and Nia Long, the biographical drama traces Michael Jackson’s journey from his childhood as part of The Jackson 5 to his rise as the King of Pop, focusing on the life and career behind the global phenomenon.

Meanwhile, Babita Singh Reporting has been available on Prime Video since August 28. The investigation thriller follows suspended police officer Babita Singh, who begins probing the murder of her childhood friend. The case soon draws her into secrets linked to her own past, turning a personal search for answers into a deeper investigation.

Rounding off the weekend slate is Four Hands, Two Sonatas, arriving on Netflix on August 29. The Korean musical romance is set at an elite arts school, where three young musicians navigate friendships, rivalries, romantic relationships and the pressure of their individual ambitions.

With six releases spread across August 28 and 29, the latest OTT wave has something for almost every mood whether viewers want spies saving the day, detectives chasing the truth, or musicians trying to find their own note.