From Abhishek Bachchan's ‘Kaalidhar Laapata’ to Sanya Malhotra's 'Mrs.': OTT and theatrical movies that went unnoticed in 2025

‘Kaalidhar Laapata’ centres on a middle-aged man battling a progressive degenerative illness who discovers that his family plans to abandon him. Shattered by the revelation, he decides to disappear into the chaos of a travelling fair, hoping to escape both pity and neglect. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan, Nimrat Kaur and Daivik Baghela in pivotal roles. It is currently streaming on Zee5.

Directed by Arati Kadav, ‘Mrs.’ is the Hindi remake of the 2021 Malayalam film ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’. The film follows Richa, played by Sanya Malhotra, a newly married woman struggling with the monotony and invisible labour of domestic life. As relentless kitchen chores and everyday sounds turn into metaphors for suffocation, the pressure steadily builds. The film traces her emotional breaking point with sensitivity and restraint.

‘Superboys of Malegaon’ tells the story of a group of friends who dream of making a film in their small hometown. Driven by passion rather than resources, their journey becomes a celebration of friendship, ambition, and grassroots filmmaking. The film features Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora and Anuj Singh Duhan. It is available to stream on Prime Video.

‘Chidiya’ revolves around two young brothers who dream of playing badminton despite growing up in a modest environment. Their journey highlights perseverance, sibling bonds, and the quiet determination to rise above limitations. The film stars Vinay Pathak, Amruta Subhash, Svar Kamble, Ayush Pathak, Inaamulhaq, Brijendra Kala and Muzaffar Khan. It is streaming on Zee5.

‘The Diplomat’ follows an Indian envoy who undertakes a dangerous cross-border mission to rescue a woman trapped in a forced marriage. As he navigates hostile terrain and tense political landscapes, the stakes grow increasingly personal. The film stars John Abraham and Sadia in the lead roles. It is streaming on Netflix.

‘The Mehta Boys’ marks Boman Irani’s directorial debut, which he co-wrote with Oscar-winning writer Alexander Dinelaris Jr of ‘Birdman’ fame. The film stars Irani as Shiv Mehta and Avinash Tiwary as Amay Mehta, an estranged father and son forced to spend 48 intense hours together. As unresolved conflicts surface, the two begin to understand each other in unexpected ways. The heartfelt family drama also features strong performances by Puja Sarup as Shiv’s pragmatic daughter, Anu.