As the weekend draws near, OTT platforms are serving up an exciting variety of new content to keep you entertained. With genres ranging from lighthearted romantic comedies to gripping thrillers, January 24, 2025, promises to offer something for everyone. Here’s a look at five highly anticipated releases to stream this Friday:

1. Sivarapalli – Amazon Prime Video

Release Date: January 24, 2025
Fans of the hit show Panchayat are in for a treat with Sivarapalli, a Telugu remake of the much-loved series. Set in the rural village of Sivarapalli in Telangana, the show follows an engineering graduate who is reluctantly thrust into the role of Panchayat Secretary. The series promises to offer a heartwarming and humorous look at rural life in India. With its relatable characters and small-town charm, Sivarapalli will appeal to fans of the original while also attracting new viewers. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video starting this Friday.

2. Sweet Dreams – Disney+ Hotstar

Release Date: January 24, 2025
This romantic dramedy features Mithila Palkar and Amol Parashar as Kenny and Dia, two people who embark on an unconventional journey to find their dream partners—literally. When both of them dream about meeting someone, they set out to find these mysterious figures in real life. The quirky premise and charming performances make Sweet Dreams an ideal weekend watch for those in the mood for something lighthearted yet intriguing. Available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

3. The Sand Castle – Netflix

Release Date: January 24, 2025
In this mystery thriller, a family of four finds themselves stranded on a deserted island where survival becomes a battle. Tensions rise as long-buried secrets come to light, threatening to tear the family apart. Directed by Matty Brown, The Sand Castle promises a gripping, edge-of-your-seat experience with its mix of mystery, suspense, and drama. With an IMDb rating of 7.9, this thriller is one not to miss. Catch it on Netflix this Friday.

4. Hisaab Barabar – Zee5

Release Date: January 24, 2025
Hisaab Barabar is a satirical drama that delves into corruption and the quest for justice. The film follows Radhe Mohan Sharma, a railway ticket inspector who uncovers a massive financial scam after discovering discrepancies in his own bank account. Starring R Madhavan and Neil Nitin Mukesh, this social drama combines suspense with humor, making it an intriguing watch. With a strong storyline and sharp social commentary, Hisaab Barabar is now streaming on Zee5.

5. Saubhagyavati Sarpanch – Ultra Jhakaas

Release Date: January 24, 2025
This inspiring drama tells the story of Awali, a housewife who unexpectedly becomes a Sarpanch, leading her village towards progressive change. The series touches on themes of women’s empowerment, as Awali challenges traditional norms and works towards social improvement. The show’s focus on overcoming societal barriers makes it a powerful narrative about hope, determination, and the transformative role of women in shaping society. Stream it now on Ultra Jhakaas.

The OTT platforms this weekend bring an exciting mix of genres, from the emotional depth of Sivarapalli to the mystery and tension of The Sand Castle. Whether you’re in the mood for romance, drama, or suspense, January 24 has something for everyone. Be sure to mark your calendars and catch these releases as they drop this Friday.

As the 97th Academy Awards nominations were unveiled, Indian cinema found itself with mixed fortunes. While the much-anticipated Oscars saw the inclusion of one Indian film, Anuja, in the Best Live Action Short Film category, several major contenders were left out of the nominations entirely.

This year, despite the strong buzz surrounding Indian films like Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Putul, Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life, All We Imagine As Light, Band of Maharajas, Kanguva, The Zebras, Girls Will Be Girls, and Santosh, none of them made it to the final list of nominees. The exclusion of these titles has raised eyebrows, particularly among fans and industry insiders who had high hopes for their inclusion.

The lone Indian contender making waves at the Oscars 2025 is Anuja, a poignant short film produced by Guneet Monga and Priyanka Chopra. Directed by Adam J. Graves, the film follows the story of Anuja, a young girl played by Sajda Pathan, who works in a garment factory in Delhi. Anuja, along with her sister Palak (played by Ananya Shanbhag), is faced with an incredibly difficult decision that could alter the course of her life and her family’s future.

The announcement of the nominations was made today during a live-streamed ceremony hosted by actors-comedians Rachel Sennott and Bowen Yang, which took place at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The event revealed the nominees across all 24 Oscar categories.

While the exclusion of several noteworthy Indian films is disheartening for many, the success of Anuja offers a glimmer of hope for Indian cinema in the global spotlight. The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with Conan O’Brien serving as the host for the star-studded event.

As the Oscars approach, the spotlight remains on Anuja, with audiences eager to see how the film will fare in the prestigious race for the gold statue.

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag, known for his explosive batting and historic triple centuries in Tests, has become the center of attention after a report raised significant claims about his personal life. On Thursday, it was reported that Sehwag and his wife, Aarti, have reportedly been living separately for several months, leading to speculation about a potential divorce.

Sehwag, who married Aarti in December 2004, has always kept his personal life relatively private. The couple, who has two sons – Aryavir (born in 2007) and Vedant (born in 2010) – has not publicly addressed the rumors. The report mentioned that there has been no official statement from either party regarding the ongoing situation. As of now, the couple has remained silent, and the media has been eagerly waiting for any kind of response.

While the news quickly gained traction on social media, further scrutiny was fueled by Sehwag’s recent online activity. The former cricketer, known for his lighthearted posts and interactions with his fans, has not shared any recent images with Aarti on his social media accounts. Although his profile still contains several old pictures of the couple, Sehwag no longer follows Aarti on Instagram. Additionally, Aarti’s Instagram account has remained private, adding more fuel to the speculation.

The news of their alleged separation comes at a time when Sehwag has been actively engaging with his followers about his son Aryavir’s recent cricket achievements. In November 2024, Sehwag shared a post praising his son for scoring 297 runs against Meghalaya in the Cooch Behar Trophy. Sehwag reminded Aryavir of an old promise he had made, saying that a Ferrari would be gifted to his son if he ever surpassed Sehwag’s own highest score of 319 runs. While Aryavir fell just 23 runs short of his father’s record, the proud father encouraged him to keep pursuing his goals.

The rumor of a possible separation between Virender Sehwag and Aarti has prompted widespread discussion, but until either party makes an official statement, the story remains speculative. This news also marks another chapter in the ever-evolving relationship between celebrities and the media, as the public continues to take a keen interest in their personal lives.