Yes, we’re aware that it’s Valentine’s week (for some, it’s Valentine’s month) but no, that doesn’t mean we’re going to give you a list of mushy, romantic films to watch. Sure, they’re comforting but we understand that every couple’s idea of romance is different. Some love the action-packed sequences, whereas some need the intense, nail-biting dramas and some prefer documentaries. So if your Valentine’s Day plans involve staying in, sipping on a glass of wine and digging into a good meal at home while binge-watching a new show or film, we’re playing Cupid (well, partially) as we have curated a roster of the new releases this month.
1. Poacher
Produced by Alia Bhatt, and created and directed by Emmy-award-winning show Delhi Crime’s Richie Mehta, Paocher is an investigative drama that focuses on the subject of illegal ivory poaching and trading in India. The series features Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Kani Kusruti, Ranjitha Menon, and Maala Parvathi in key roles.
Streaming on Prime Video on February 23
2. Bhakshak
Bhumi Pednekar takes the lead role in yet another drama with socio-political significance. Loosely based on the Muzaffarpur shelter home case of 2018, Bhakshak follows a struggling local journalist Vaishali (Pednekar) who begins a dogged investigation into harrowing cases of abuse being covered up at a shelter for young girls.
Currently streaming on Netflix
3. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Unlike the original film that stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt playing the Smiths, a married couple who later come to know that they both are working as assassins for competing organisations, the latest series Mr. & Mrs. Smith features “two lonely strangers, John and Jane (Donald Glover and Maya Erskine) who have given up their lives and identities to be thrown together as partners – both in espionage and in marriage.”
Currently streaming on Prime Video
4. The New Look
This new series reveals the truth behind how luxury fashion houses helmed by the likes of Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Pierre Balmain and Cristóbal Balenciaga navigated the barriers of World War II and launched modern fashion.
Streaming on Apple TV+ on February 14
5. Messi’s World Cup: The Rise of a Legend
The four-part docu-series takes you through the legendary football player Leo Messi’s career trajectory. “It charts the dramatic path from his first match with the Argentina national football team to carrying the weight of a country on his shoulders through several elusive World Cup wins, leading to his early retirement in 2016 and, ultimately, the comeback to become a FIFA World Cup champion and be crowned the 2022 tournament’s best player” as per the official synopsis. Along with personal interviews with the athlete as well as his coaches, teammates, commentators, competitors and more.
Streaming on Apple TV+ on February 21
6. The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth
The four-part docu-series brings back the 2015 Sheena Bora murder case into the picture. When Indrani Mukerjea, CEO of INX Media was arrested on charges of allegedly murdering her 25-old-dughter Sheena, it shocked the whole nation. This series features Indrani herself, her children, journalists and lawyers coming in front of the camera to tell their story as well as unveils disturbing call recordings and unseen images of the family to explore the elusive truth.
Streaming on Netflix on February 24
7. One Day
Based on David Nicholas’ novel and previously adapted into a film that features Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, One Day has now turned into a 14-episode limited series. Starring Ambika Mod as Emma Morley and Leo Woodall as Dexter Mayhew, the show begins with the two meeting for the first time at their college graduation party in 1988. While nothing brews further after a small hook-up, the two keep meeting every year on the same day, with each year showing the ups and downs they’ve had in their individual lives. They can’t be together or away from each other and keep getting closer and apart each year. Will they finally be each other’s soul mates? You’ll have to watch to find out. PS: Fans are already talking about the gut-wrenching end of the series.
Currently streaming on Netflix
8. Puppy Love
What if your pet pooches turn matchmakers? You’ll see something like that in Puppy Love starring Lucy Hale and Grant Gustin. Following a disastrous first date, Nicole and Max vow to lose each others’ phone numbers and never see each other again, until their dogs find a love match. As fate has it, the two are forced to become responsible co-parents which eventually brings them closer and fall in love.
Currently streaming on Prime Video
9. Halo The Series Season 2
The official synopsis reads, “Master Chief John-117 leads his team of elite Spartans against the alien threat known as the Covenant. As humanity’s best hope for winning the war, John-117 discovers his deep connection to a mysterious alien structure that holds the key to humankind’s salvation, or its destruction — the Halo.”
Currently streaming on Jio Cinema
10. JLO: This Is Me…Now: A Love Story
This Is Me…Now: A Love Story releases in tandem with JLO’s highly anticipated new album and first release in a decade. The official synopsis reads, “Amazon original showcases her journey to love through her own eyes. With fantastical costumes, breathtaking choreography, and star-studded cameos, this panorama is an introspective retrospective of Jennifer’s resilient heart.”
Streaming on Prime Video on February 16
11. Aarya Season 3 Part 2
The gripping, thrilling action series featuring Sushmita Seb comes to an end with the final season continuing from where it left off. Following the cops seizing INR 1000 crore worth of drugs from the Russian druglord Mikhail, Aarya and Nalini Sahiba are put in a tough spot. Worried about the wrath she could face from the druglord, she thinks of ways she can get a hold of the drugs before it’s burnt to ashes while also saving her family from falling apart who hold her responsible for the fragile condition they’re in thinking she’s after money and power when all she’s trying to do is protect them from the drug cartel. Will Aarya be able to do it all? You’ll have to watch the final chapter to see how things unfold in the gripping series.
Currently streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
12. Man Suang
Murder and rebellion followed by the search for truth are the themes of this Thai film. Its plot? “Khem and Wan (played by Apo and Bas), two young men from Chachoengsao take on the mission to investigate the truth hidden inside Man Suang, the most luxurious and mysterious entertainment club in Siam. Behind the curtain, people gather to plan and make political negotiations during the end of King Rama III’s reign. The two friends join the troupe and meet Chatra (played by Mile), a taphon musician. The relationship between the three develops while the dark secret of Man Suang and their hidden motives begin being revealed bit by bit.”
Streaming on Netflix on February 29
Did you miss the new shows and movies from January? Click here to read about it.
