A series of big-screen films that hit theatres in 2023 — including Vicky Kaushal’s war drama Sam Bahadur and MCU’s The Marvels — are set to premiere digitally later this month and in early February. Here’s a look.
Sam Bahadur
Headlined by Vicky Kaushal, Sam Bahadur recounts the military journey of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, a key figure in India's victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Vicky’s war veteran shows unwavering strength, confidence and determination amidst political pressure and cross-border threats in this biopic directed by Meghna Gulzar. The film also stars Fatima Sana Shaikh as former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi, Edward Sonnenblick as Lord Mountbatten, and Jawan actress Sanya Malhotra as Manekshaw’s wife Silloo. The film released theatrically on December 1 last year alongside Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal.
Where to watch: ZEE5
Release date: January 26
Dawshom Awbotaar
Srijit Mukherji’s Dawshom Awbotaar, a prequel to the 2011 thriller Baishe Srabon, marks the return of Prosenjit Chatterjee as the fierce cop Probir who specialises in investigating serial murders. It also brings back Anirban Bhattacharya’s Bijoy Poddar from Srijit’s 2019 thriller Vinci Da as Probir’s apprentice. When serial killer Biswaroop, played by Jisshu Sengupta, enters the scene, a cat-and-mouse chase begins between the murderer and the two cops.
What makes the film interesting is that it reveals the identity of the killer in the very first scene, making it an exciting whydunnit rather than a whodunnit. While maintaining the essence of his previous film in this prequel, Srijit has also incorporated rebellious poetry and Anupam Roy’s music. Also starring Jaya Ahsan, Dawshom Awbotaar released in theatres on October 19 last year.
Where to watch: Hoichoi
Release date: February 2
Wish
Disney’s Wish follows a teenage girl named Asha (voiced by Ariana DeBose) who lives in the city of Rosas, ruled by the seemingly kind sorcerer king Magnifico. In Rosas, once the citizens turn 18, they can attend a ‘wish ceremony’ where they can confess their wishes to the king who might fulfil them whenever he wants to. However, according to a rule, they must forget their wish after submitting it to the king.
Asha, seeking her grandfather's long-awaited wish, interviews for an apprenticeship with Magnifico. Discovering his deceitful nature, she decides to expose his intentions. With the help of a wish-granting star, Asha aims to unite the citizens, rebel against the king, and uphold Disney's tradition of overcoming adversity. Containing more than a bunch of Disney Easter Eggs, Wish, directed by Fawn Veerasunthorn and Chris Buck, hit Disney+ Hotstar on Tuesday.
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
The Marvels
The Marvels offered a fresh experience to MCU fans with its three female superheroes — Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Imam Vellani’s Ms Marvel and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau — teaming up for the first time on the big screen. In this sequel to the 2019 film Captain Marvel, former S.H.I.E.L.D director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) is desperately on the lookout for new heroes to combat a new supervillain Dar-Benn, played by Zawe Ashton.
After reclaiming her identity from the tyrannical Kree and destroying the Supreme Intelligence, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel crosses paths with Ms Marvel and Monica Rambeau. She forms her own superhero team called the Marvels in order to combat the Kree revolutionary Dar-Benn who wields a hammer-like weapon mightier than Thor’s. Directed by Nia DaCosta, The Marvels released in theatres on November 10 last year.
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Release date: February 7
Blue Beetle
2023 was as much a treat for DC fans as it was for Marvel stans. Following the box-office disappointments of the recent additions to the DC franchise like Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Flash, a new superhero of Latin origins was introduced with Angel Manuel Soto’s Blue Beetle. As he suddenly finds himself in possession of an ancient alien relic called the Scarab, Jaime Reyes aka Blue Beetle’s life turns upside down. The Scarab, an AI created by an alien race of conquerors named Reach, chooses Jaime as its host, providing him with incredible powers and strength, which help him emerge as a superhero.
Blue Beetle, which ultimately highlights the importance of family, proved to be a milestone for DC with its exceptional representation of Latino people on screen. Released last year on August 18, the superhero movie is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video where it was previously only available for rent.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Farrey
In Farrey, Salman Khan’s niece Alizeh Agnihotri, a young IIT-aspirant from a humble background, gets involved in a scandal by her rich friends. Alizeh’s character, Niyati, enrols in the country’s most expensive and reputed school but struggles to fit in with the rest. However, she soon gets sucked into the world of luxurious parties and illegal activities which hinder her academic progress. Things get worse when Niyati tells her rich friends about ‘farrey’ — a colloquial term for “passing the chit” — after which they lure her into a cheating racket. Directed by Soumendra Padhi, Farrey hit theatres on November 24 last year.
Where to watch: ZEE5
Release date: February 9
