Streaming platforms are bringing a mix of crime thrillers, historical dramas, reality shows and international series this week, giving viewers several new options across genres.

The second week of September is set to bring a fresh lineup of movies and web series across major OTT platforms including Netflix, JioHotstar, ZEE5 and Prime Video. From crime dramas and political thrillers to international shows, viewers will have several new titles to choose from between September 7 and September 13. 

Among the most awaited releases is Ghamasaan, a crime drama directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia. The film features Pratik Gandhi and Arshad Warsi in key roles and is scheduled to stream on ZEE5. The story is expected to bring a clash between crime and law enforcement against the backdrop of a gritty narrative. Another major release this week is The Revolutionaries, which arrives on Prime Video. The series follows the story of young revolutionaries linked to India's freedom struggle and stars actors including Bhuvan Bam, Rohit Saraf, Pratibha Ranta and Gurfateh Pirzada. 

International audiences will also get new content, with Fauda Season 5 arriving on Netflix on September 8. The popular political-action thriller returns with another season after building a global fan baseNetflix is also adding other titles during the week, including comedy and drama-based content. Meanwhile, JioHotstar will bring shows such as Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot and Prince of Mollywood, expanding its catalogue with a mix of Indian and regional entertainment. 

OTT Releases This Week (September 7-13)

Fauda Season 5

• Platform: Netflix

• Release Date: September 8

• Genre: Political thriller/action 

Ghamasaan

• Platform: ZEE5

• Release Date: September 11

• Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Arshad Warsi

• Genre: Crime drama 

The Revolutionaries

• Platform: Prime Video

• Release Date: September 11

• Genre: Historical drama 

Ali Baba Aur 40 Bhoot

• Platform: JioHotstar

• Release Date: September 11

• Genre: Horror comedy 

Prince of Mollywood

• Platform: JioHotstar

• Release Date: September 11

• Genre: Comedy/drama 

Apart from these titles, several regional films and international shows are also making their digital premieres during the week, offering viewers options across Hindi, South Indian and global content categories. With theatrical releases and OTT platforms competing for audience attention, streaming services are increasingly focusing on diverse genres to attract viewers looking for fresh weekend entertainment

According to viewership data released by Ormax, the series has recorded more than 3.5 million views since its premiere on June 19, 2026. The numbers indicate sustained audience interest in the second season, which arrived after the success of the show's debut installment and carried forward the story of its central characters.

Directed by Shraddha Pasi Jairath, the Hotstar Specials drama stars Sanchita Basu, Dhaval Thakur and Aniruddh Dave in key roles. The latest season continues the emotional journey of Shanvika Chauhan and Kuldeep Kumar, exploring themes of love, betrayal, regret and revenge.

While the first season built its popularity through an intense romantic storyline, the second chapter expands the narrative by bringing political conflict into the personal rivalry between the lead characters. The story attempts to move beyond a relationship drama and enters a larger social and power struggle, giving viewers a broader canvas than before.

The show’s performance reflects a growing trend in the Indian OTT market, where relationship-driven dramas continue to attract strong audiences, particularly among younger viewers. Industry observers note that streaming platforms have increasingly relied on emotionally charged stories with familiar characters to retain subscriber engagement and encourage repeat viewing.

Audience reactions online have been mixed but largely positive. Many viewers have praised the performances of the lead cast and the continuation of the story arc established in the first season. Discussions across social media platforms suggest that fans who followed the original series were eager to see how the relationship between Shanvika and Kuldeep evolved after the dramatic events of the previous season.

At the same time, some reviews have pointed out that portions of the narrative rely on conventional storytelling techniques. Critics have argued that while the series remains engaging in parts, it does not completely break away from familiar television-style drama formats. Even so, the show's viewership numbers suggest that audience interest has remained strong despite such criticism.

The ensemble cast includes Dhaval Thakur, Sanchita Basu, Aniruddh Dave, Sushil Pandey, Govind Pandey and Palak Jain. Their performances have been highlighted by viewers as one of the factors contributing to the show's popularity.

Another indicator of the series’ reception is its user rating on IMDb, where it currently holds a score of 7.8 out of 10. Though audience ratings can fluctuate over time, the score reflects a favourable response from a significant section of viewers.

The success of Thukra Ke Mera Pyaar Season 2 comes at a time when competition among Hindi-language OTT releases remains intense. Streaming services continue to invest heavily in original content, making sustained audience engagement an important benchmark for success.

With 3.5 million views already recorded within 20 days of release, the series has strengthened its position among recent digital releases and demonstrated the continued appeal of romance-driven dramas in India’s streaming landscape.

Whether the show can maintain its momentum in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but its early performance has given JioHotstar another notable success in the crowded OTT market.

The reality series, which premiered on June 27, has generated significant discussion on social media after a string of personal revelations, relationship disputes and controversial comments made by contestants. While reality television has traditionally relied on competition and interpersonal conflicts, critics argue that Lock Up is drawing attention largely through highly personal and provocative exchanges.

The latest controversy involves actor Ram Kapoor, whose comments on infidelity sparked strong reactions both inside and outside the show. During a discussion on relationships, Kapoor suggested that marriages can survive infidelity if there is genuine love and commitment between partners. He argued that long-term relationships often go through difficult phases and that mistakes can sometimes be overcome.

His remarks were immediately challenged by fellow contestant Akanksha Chamola, who rejected the idea that cheating could be dismissed as an accidental act. The disagreement quickly became one of the most discussed moments from the show, with clips circulating widely across social media platforms.

The controversy comes amid a series of headline-grabbing incidents involving other contestants. Earlier, Akanksha Chamola made public comments regarding her marriage with actor Gaurav Khanna, leading to widespread online discussion. Contestant Sunita Ahuja, wife of actor Govinda, has also spoken extensively about long-standing family disputes involving comedian Krushna Abhishek and actor Kashmera Shah.

Several viral clips from the show have further intensified the debate. In some instances, contestants were seen making remarks about each other's sexuality and personal lives, prompting criticism from viewers who questioned the tone and direction of the programme.

The growing list of controversies has led to broader questions about Netflix’s content strategy in India. Industry observers note that reality television often thrives on conflict, but the concentration of personal and controversial issues in Lock Up has drawn unusual attention.

The debate has also revived discussions about the platform’s positioning in the Indian entertainment market. Netflix entered India with a strong focus on premium international and original content. However, over the years, competition from other streaming platforms has intensified, particularly those offering regionally rooted stories and mass-market programming.

Writer Dheeraj Mishra believes Netflix was relatively slow in understanding the preferences of a wider Indian audience. According to him, while the platform initially earned praise for technically polished productions, many competing services succeeded by delivering stories and characters that connected more directly with everyday viewers.

Film director Vivek Sharma has raised concerns about the broader content vision of streaming platforms. He argues that content decisions should focus on originality and fresh storytelling rather than relying heavily on established networks or recurring production partnerships. In his view, platforms must create space for new voices if they want sustained audience engagement.

Trade analyst Atul Mohan also points to pricing and positioning challenges. He notes that Netflix has long been perceived as a premium service in a price-sensitive market. Rival platforms, meanwhile, have attracted larger audiences with lower subscription costs and locally resonant content.

The scrutiny surrounding Lock Up comes at a time when debates over reality television, online content moderation and viewer responsibility are becoming increasingly prominent. Netflix has not publicly responded to the criticism surrounding the show’s recent controversies.

For now, the programme continues to generate significant online engagement, but whether that attention translates into long-term success remains to be seen as discussions over content quality and controversy-driven programming continue.

Himesh Reshammiya-led Badass Ravi Kumar, which struggled to attract audiences in cinemas in 2025, has staged an unexpected comeback on OTT. The musical action drama, dismissed as one of the year’s biggest box office failures after its theatrical release, has found a second life on JioHotstar, where it entered the platform’s trending list within days of release.

The film’s digital turnaround has once again highlighted how OTT platforms continue to reshape the commercial fate of films, especially titles that fail to perform in theatres but later connect with home audiences.

Weak Box Office Run

Released in cinemas on February 7, 2025, Badass Ravi Kumar arrived with moderate expectations and a familiar franchise link. The film serves as a spin-off to The Xpose, the 2014 musical thriller that introduced the character of Ravi Kumar.

Mounted on an estimated budget of ₹20 crore, the film failed to generate momentum at the domestic box office. As per trade reports, Badass Ravi Kumar closed its theatrical run with an India nett collection of around ₹13 crore, leaving it well short of recovery and placing it among the notable commercial disappointments of 2025.

Delayed Digital Release

Following its theatrical underperformance, the film’s OTT release was delayed for several months. According to reports, negotiations over digital rights and backend platform issues slowed the streaming rollout, keeping the title off digital platforms longer than expected.

The film eventually premiered on JioHotstar on April 18, 2026. Its arrival was low-key, but the response on streaming proved markedly different from its theatrical run.

Trending On JioHotstar

Soon after release, Badass Ravi Kumar began climbing JioHotstar’s trending chart, drawing attention from viewers who had skipped it in theatres. Its strong digital response has been driven largely by curiosity, repeat value and the film’s stylised action format, according to platform trends and audience response online.

The film’s entry into the trending list has also boosted conversation around its lead character, with viewers revisiting Himesh Reshammiya’s exaggerated screen persona and retro action treatment.

Audience Response Shifts

The OTT response suggests Badass Ravi Kumar found a more suitable audience outside theatres. Viewers on digital platforms appeared more receptive to its exaggerated action, musical treatment and self-aware mass appeal than cinema-goers were during its theatrical run.

Industry observers have noted that films with niche appeal or unconventional treatment often perform better in streaming ecosystems, where discovery is less dependent on opening-day numbers and more on audience curiosity and social media traction.

OTT Changes Film Fate

The performance of Badass Ravi Kumar adds to a growing list of films that underperformed in cinemas but found visibility after moving online. In recent years, several mid-budget films have seen renewed engagement on streaming platforms, where lower access barriers and flexible viewing habits often help overlooked titles gain traction.

For producers, this trend continues to strengthen the value of digital rights, especially for films that fail to recover costs through theatrical business alone. For platforms, such titles offer strong engagement potential, particularly when backed by meme value, nostalgia or cult appeal.

What Lies Ahead

The OTT success of Badass Ravi Kumar may not reverse its box office verdict, but it has changed the film’s post-release trajectory. Its digital performance has revived interest in the title and may improve its long-tail value across streaming and satellite markets.

For the industry, the film’s turnaround reinforces a growing reality: in the digital era, theatrical performance is no longer the sole measure of a film’s reach.