Lost and Found

Welcome to OTTplay Lost and Found , one podcast that features lesser-known films and shows but are critically acclaimed. I'm your host Nikhil

Some of the most exhilarating films have often been sports dramas depicting the adrenaline-fuelled stories about athletes and sports teams putting their bodies on the line in search of glory. One such film is Gavin O'Connor’s 2011 release, Warrior. 

Starring Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte, and Jennifer Morrison. The film tells the tale of two estranged brothers, Brendan, played by Edgerton, and Tommy, played by Hardy, who sign up for a Mixed Martial Arts tournament. Brendan, a family man and school teacher struggling to afford his mortgage, signs up for the tournament in the hopes of a better future for his family. Whereas the more naturally gifted MMA fighter Tommy,  an army veteran, suffering from PTSD, has his own inner demons to wrestle. Throw in an alcoholic and abusive father played by the excellent Nick Nolte, into the mix, the film makes for a riveting family sports drama. The fast-paced action, coupled with engrossing emotional drama, the film ticks all the right boxes in delivering a compelling narrative, elevated by the excellent cast. 

The film underwhelmed at the box office, but has since become a cult classic. A slightly less than impressive Bollywood remake of the film titled Brothers, starring Akshay Kumar and Siddharth Malhotra, was released in 2015. And if you intend to watch the original film, try to avoid the trailers, as it gives away too much of the storyline. 

Warrior is available to stream on Lionsgate Play, Apple TV+ , Google Play, and YouTube. 

Well that's the OTTplay Lost and Found episode for today, Until the next podcast it's your host Nikhil signing out. 

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of OTTplay Lost and Found, one podcast that talks about critically acclaimed films and shows that are lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil

Several hit Malayalam films from the 90s and 2000s have come under scrutiny in recent years for their regressive themes on numerous socio-political themes. However, one film stood out in terms of being far ahead of its time, the 1991 satire Sandesham.

The movie stars Jayaram as Prakashan and Sreenivasan as Prabhakaran in lead roles as brothers, and the plot revolves around the two who belong to opposite ends of the political spectrum. Sreenivasan’s character, an ardent follower of a fictionalized version of the Communist Party, is at odds with his brother, who belongs to the fictionalized version of the Congress Party. 

Written by Sreenivasan himself, and directed by Sathyan Anthikad, the film uses humour as a plot device and as a narrative tool to deliver one of the most thought-provoking films in the Malayalam film industry. It critiques the partisan following of political parties and the lack of objective discourse regarding politics in society - something which is still relevant to contemporary politics.

Thilakan, Siddique, Kaviyoor Ponnama, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Innocent, Mathu, Mammukoya, Sankaradi, and others play excellent supporting roles. The film has aged like fine wine and is widely regarded as one of the best films in Malayalam. 

If you haven't watched this hidden gem yet then do so it's streaming on Hotstar

Well, that's the OTTplay Lost and Found film for today's podcast, until the next episode it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to OTTplay Lost and Found , one podcast that talks about critically acclaimed shows and films that are lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil.

Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. For Europeans it’s almost akin to a religion, supporting their local clubs every weekend, singing the club’s songs as they rally their respective teams to find success and glory - a tradition that has been passed down through generations. 

Sunderland AFC of England is one of the 1000s of local football clubs in Britain. Despite its proud history spanning nearly 150 years and several top division titles, the club has found success hard to come by in recent decades. The Netflix documentary Sunderland till I Die is a painful reminder for the fans about the pros and cons of the English football system. 

Before its release, the story about the football club from the Tyne and Wear region was met with ridicule by rival fans, especially by local rivals Newcastle United. But the docu-series has garnered immense praise since its release for its nuanced depiction of behind the scenes events of the club, and of the fans coping with the dramatic fall of their beloved club from the top echelons of the Premier League, to the Championship, to League One, and then to League 2. A club in turmoil, strapped of funds, and players on high wages that offer limited output. 

The drama that unfolds in the docu-series could rival even the most riveting TV shows.

If you haven't watched this docu yet then do so its streaming exclusively on Netflix,

Well, that's the OTTplay Lost and Found episode for today. I shall be back with another podcast pretty soon, until then it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to OTTplay Lost and Found , one podcast that talks about critically acclaimed films and shows but lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil .

The 2005 comedy-drama Breakfast on Pluto, stars Cillian Murphy as the lead as a transgender woman on a journey of self-discovery in the late 70s from a small Irish town to London. Based on a book by Patrick McCabe, the film follows Murphy’s character, Patrick ‘Kitten’ Braden, through various stages of her life, from being abandoned at birth, to embracing her identity as a trans woman in her teens, her involuntary connection to the Irish Republican Army or IRA,  her quest for love and human connection, and finally her hopes of finding her real mother. 

Cillian Murphy excels in his portrayal as lead character Kitten, which is also a testament to his range as an actor. He has essayed a comic book villain, a hardened gangster, a psychotic killer, and an empathetic hero, over the course of his illustrious career. Through his complex character in Breakfast on Pluto, the narrative explores various themes such as gender, proletarianism, and other socio-political issues. The story is set in the backdrop of the Irish civil war, and it is significant in examining the role that the IRA played in society and the impact it had in the British Isles for several decades.

Directed by Neil Jordan, the film garnered praise for its satirical take on several social issues. Despite being an indie project, the film features some iconic names such as Liam Nesson, Brendan Gleeson, and Liam Cunningham. 

If you haven't watched the film yet , it's streaming on Mubi.

Well, that's the OTTplay Lost and Found for today, until the next podcast it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of OTTplay Lost and Found, one podcast that talks about critically acclaimed films and shows but lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil.

Indian biopics have often been accused of being hagiographies, solely produced to reposition the protagonist’s image and reputation. But documentaries that profile significant figures tend to offer a more candid, unfiltered portrait of the personality being profiled. And our Lost and Found for today, the 2017 documentary An Insignificant Man, which is based on the meteoric rise of the Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, is surely one such film. 

The film follows the tax officer-turned-activist who engineered the anti-corruption bill from the point when he makes his foray into politics. A rank outsider who turns to politics to take on seasoned politicians in an election that could turn the fate of the citizens of India’s Rajdhani, makes for a compelling watch. But this docu is also packed with all the grime, deceit and drama that precedes the dance of democracy in India. Sting operations, scams, contestants who succumb to supposed ‘accidents’ and even internal conflicts that threaten to nip the political outfit in the bud. Kejriwal is depicted as a leader with a vision but also one who doesn’t seem particularly open to feedback or suggestion from his party aides. He holds strong views on the role of governance and has his ear to the ground. But he’s also accused of being a dictator-of-sorts who marginalizes those who cross him or disagree with him. In fact, it is this personality trait that is pinned by many detractors as the prime reason for the exit of senior party functionaries such as Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan from the Aam Aadmi Party.  

Director duo Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla deliver a film that not only closely portrays Kejriwal as the accidental (if not unlikely) political figure but also maps his transition from an activist desperate for sparking change in society to a politician who seeks mandate. 

If you haven't watched this docu film yet, do so its streaming on YouTube

Well that's the OTTplay Lost and Found for today's episode, Until the next podcast its your host Nikhil signing out,.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to OTTplay Lost and Found, one podcast that talks about critically acclaimed films and shows that are lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil.

The Netflix original series The Chair, stars Sandra Oh as Dr Ji-Yoon Kim, the new head or Chair of the English literature department at her University. She is forced with the thankless task of trimming down her department, whilst also having to deal with the repercussions of the fallout between once-popular professor Dr Bill Dobson and a section of the students. Dobson, played by Jay Duplass, is pivotal to the narrative and the message the series is trying to convey. 

The six-episode satirical comedy, directed by Daniel Gray Longino, is an underrated gem that critiques how contemporary neo-liberal western society, influenced by social media, emphasizes more on the perception of reality instead of the truth. It also weighs in on the pros and cons of cancel culture, how such power could prove counterproductive at times, and that it could also limit any meaningful discourse regarding controversial and delicate topics.

The fictional Pembroke University is used as a narrative tool to reflect on the larger society outside the campus premises. Writer Amanda Peet has carefully woven a thought-provoking narrative that makes one question several ideological frameworks of the postmodern era.

Sandra Oh and Jay Duplass excel in their roles, while Nana Mensah, Bob Balaban, and Holland Taylor essay excellent supporting roles. The series also features a cameo by the iconic David Duchovny, star of the hit 90s TV show The X-files. 

If you haven't watched this series yet, then do so streaming on Netflix.

Well that's the OTTplay Lost and Found for today's episode, until the next podcast it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of OTTplay Lost and Found, one podcast that talks about critically acclaimed films but lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil.

The Malayalam film industry has come a long way over the decades with a wide range of films across multiple genres. More recently, the industry has witnessed a renaissance of sorts with a new wave of cinema that has captured the imagination of the people across Kerala and the other states. But the story about the birth of the Malayalam film industry is one of devotion, sacrifice, and tragedy. The 2013 film, Celluloid, directed by Kamal explores the life of J C Daniel, who is widely regarded as the father of Malayalam cinema. 

The film captures the essence of Daniel’s dream to make Kerala’s first motion picture in the 1920s. Daniel cast P. K. Rosie as the lead in the film titled, Vigathakumaran. Daniel’s dedication to his craft helped him release the film, but it was marred with violent protests by certain sections of society. Daniel’s decision to cast P.K. Rosie as its lead was met with intense backlash as she belonged to the lower caste. Society at the time was unable to accept the notion that an actress from the lower caste could essay the role of an upper-caste Nair woman. 

Rosie was forced to eventually flee from the town and relocate elsewhere, while Daniel was ostracised by the community and forced to lead a destitute life, simply because he decided to cast Rosie in his film. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as J C Daniel, while Mamta Mohandas plays his wife Jannet, and Chandni plays the role of Rosie. Sreenivasan, Ramesh Pisharody, Siddique, and Nedumudi Venu play supporting roles in the film.

Celluloid explores themes of casteism and discrimination with its engaging screenplay and immersive narrative. Prithviraj Sukumaran garnered praise for his portrayal of JC Daniel and the role is quite easily regarded as one of his best performances to date. 

If you haven't watched this flick yet , then do so streaming on MX player.

Well that's the OTTplay Lost and Found film for today's episode, until the next podcast it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to today's episode of OTTplay Lost and found, one podcast that gives you all the info about critically acclaimed films and shows, but lesser- known. I'm your host Nikhil.

Debutant director Safdar Rahman’s 2018 Chippa was a tribute to his newborn daughter. The story of a ten-year-old eponymous protagonist, Chippa told the journey of an abandoned child in search of his father on his 10th birthday. Shot across the span of a single night, the film follows Chippa, as he strides the lanes of Kolkata, enamored by each adventure he has. As the young tea-stall helper ventures into his journey of self-realization, he traipses along by-lanes that seamlessly peak into the lives of the myriad working classes across the City of Joy. Without being self-indulgent even for a moment, Chippa compels you to reminisce about the old-world charm about Kolkata, it’s as much an ode to the city as it is to parenthood. However, Rahman’s world of magic-building is never to an extent that it is delusional. He clearly shows how reality may strike at any instant and that may lead to the disillusionment of things. One of the main characteristics of the film is its need to stitch realistic characters who you can't help but invest in. When Chippa’s father learns of his child’s identity, he refrains from confessing to his son that he was indeed the man this child was seeking. Hence, the happy accident of the two meeting, remains just that – an accident. Chippa, unbeknownst to his father’s true self, still perceives the man’s hesitation and leaves his world to return to his own, ensconced in the roadside revelries of a free-spirited life. 

If you haven't watched this hidden gem yet then, do so streaming on Netflix.

Well that's the OTTplay Lost and Found film “ Chippa “ for today's episode, until the next podcast it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to OTTplay Lost and Found , one podcast that talks about critically acclaimed films but lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil.

Yet another underrated gem from Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, The Killing of a Sacred Deer delves into the inner workings of the human mind when it is compelled to make hard choices. Set in a thematic backdrop of ‘survival of the fittest’, the film follows a cardiothoracic surgeon and his family, once an odd young stranger forces the husband to make a decision about his wife and children’s lives. Always a one to believe in the power of silent scenes, Lanthimos decks his world with tall ceilings and plenty of open spaces that get captured beautifully through his patent fish-eye lens. 

Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman more than aptly fit into the roles of a helpless, distressed couple, who suddenly witness their kin’s descent into ill-health (and eventual death) due to a stranger’s sadistic game of revenge. Cinematographer Thimios Bakatakis populated his frames with an abundance of white, symbolizing the quest to select a ‘sacred’, unadulterated soul among the members of the Murphy family. Having bagged the award for Best Screenplay at the Cannes Film Festival, The Killing of a Sacred Deer was critically acclaimed on its global release. 

If you haven't watched this yet then do so streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime Video 

Well that's the Lost and Found episode, I shall be back soon with another podcast, until then it's your host Nikhil signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to OTTplay Lost and Found , one podcast that talks about critically acclaimed films but lesser-known. I'm your host Nikhil, stay locked.

Films that depict the lives of movie stars and the crazed fans who worship them, have often delved into the lives of screen legends divorced from the gaze of stardom. From Guddi to Mast, the turning point in many of these films revolves around that crucial meeting when an ardent fan actually gets to meet their screen idol. It is this decisive interaction that reveals whether the hero/heroine sizes up to the larger-than-life impression that the fan has held of them.  

Our Lost and Found for today, the 2002 Bengali film Titli is surely one such film. Directed by the late Rituparna Ghosh, the film stars Aparna Sen, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Mithun Chakraborty.

The film revolves around Titli (played by Sen Sharma), who’s a teenager obsessed with the Bollywood superstar Rohit Roy (played by Chakraborty). Through a miraculous turn of events, Titli and her mother, who reside in the tea estate in North Bengal, chance upon the filmstar who happens to be shooting in an idyllic hill station. As it turns out, the actor is held up en route to the airport when his car breaks down and Titli and her mother offer him a ride. This singular opportunity to get an audience with her most beloved idol may be Titli’s ultimate dream come true but this interaction leads her to discover some facts that may alter her perception of her favorite  hero.

Marking Sen Sharma’s film debut, this slice of life film that wraps up within 2 hours, makes for a comfort watch. Ghosh’s films have forever realized facets of human emotions that touch a necessary nerve and this one, while a breezy film, has its moments of intense emotional churn. 

If you haven’t watched Titli, you can catch it on YouTube, MX Player, Hotstar or Hoichoi.

Well that's the OTTplay Lost and Found film Titli for today's episode, I shall be back soon with a new podcast, until then it's your host Nikhil Signing out.

Aaj kya dekhoge OTTplay se poocho

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices