'Saiyaara' to 'Special Ops 2' & more: What to watch this weekend on OTT & in theatres

From romantic musicals and inspiring dramas to cyber thrillers and horror comedies, this weekend offers a rich mix of entertainment across theatres and OTT platforms.

Published: Friday,Jul 18, 2025 12:24 PM GMT-06:00

Divya Shah

Saiyaara (In Cinemas)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r-tT5IN0vg

If your heart beats for music and first loves, Saiyaara is your ideal weekend escape. Marking the debut of Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda, this romantic musical drama directed by Mohit Suri explores the tender bond between a budding singer and a lyricist. It’s a soulful blend of dreams, heartbreak, melody, and youthful passion. The chemistry between the leads feels genuine, the soundtrack is already creating buzz, and the story, though familiar is told with heart. An excerpt from India Forums' review for the film reads, "Mohit Suri returns to form with Saiyaara, a raw and heartfelt love story led by debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. With real emotion, layered characters, and sharp writing, this is one of the most moving Hindi romances in years. Flaws exist, but feelings win."

Perfect for: Fans of romantic musicals, Mohit Suri-style emotional intensity, and all things love.

Tanvi The Great (In Cinemas)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dVdYE6wWQ8

This is not your typical inspirational film. Directed by Anupam Kher and starring newcomer Shubhangi Dutt in a powerful debut, Tanvi The Great tells the story of a young woman on the autism spectrum who dares to dream big. Fueled by the legacy of her army hero father, Tanvi's journey to reach the Siachen Glacier is deeply moving, both emotionally and socially relevant. Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, and Iain Glen add gravitas to a story that is both intimate and patriotic. An excerpt from India Forums' review for the film reads, "Tanvi The Great is a heartfelt yet overlong drama about an autistic girl’s journey to fulfill her father's army dream. Strong performances and visuals shine, but preachy storytelling, stretched runtime, and excessive heroism dilute its emotional impact."

Perfect for: Those looking for heartfelt, meaningful cinema with strong performances and national pride.

Nikita Roy (In Cinemas)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVqhVzaPCEs

Step into a world where reality blurs and nothing is what it seems. Nikita Roy is a supernatural thriller starring Sonakshi Sinha in one of her most gripping roles to date. Directed by Kussh Sinha (her real-life brother), the film plays with the mind through eerie twists, psychological tension, and layered performances. Arjun Rampal and Paresh Rawal add to the intrigue in a story about hidden truths, human perception, and paranoia. An excerpt from India Forums' review for the film reads, "Sonakshi Sinha’s Nikita Roy is a moody supernatural thriller that blends grief and belief. With eerie visuals and restrained performances, it favors tension over jump scares. Despite pacing flaws and logic lapses, it offers a thought-provoking mystery that lingers after the credits roll."

Perfect for: Thrill-seekers, fans of horror-meets-psychological drama, and Sonakshi admirers.

Smurfs (In Cinemas)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40BDzTOJQPw

Rihanna leads an A-list voice cast in this animated reboot of the beloved blue creatures. The Smurfs (2025) is a fantasy musical adventure that takes the gang out of their magical village and into the real world to rescue Papa Smurf. With vibrant visuals, catchy tunes, and hilarious characters, it’s a film for the young and the young at heart.

Perfect for: Families, kids, and fans of classic animated adventures.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (In Cinemas)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IceTkSOSNJI

The slasher saga continues! Nearly three decades after the original, this 2025 sequel brings back original stars Freddie Prinze Jr. and Jennifer Love Hewitt in a nostalgic yet terrifying continuation of the iconic horror franchise. The new chapter features a fresh cast of teens who find themselves entangled in a deadly game of secrets and survival again.

Perfect for: Horror lovers, '90s movie fans, and thrill junkies looking for screams in the dark.

Special Ops 2.0 (Jio Hotstar)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaNXfCYW91U

Himmat Singh (Kay Kay Menon) is back and this time, the war is digital. Special Ops 2.0 dives deep into cyber warfare, data leaks, and national security. With Tahir Raj Bhasin playing a stylish new-age villain called The Collector, the series is high on tension, intelligence, and international flair. Directed by Shivam Nair, this season offers complex storytelling and action-packed sequences.

Perfect for: Spy-thriller enthusiasts, tech lovers, and fans of high-stakes espionage drama.

The Summer I Turned Pretty – Season 3 (Prime Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faL_S-7z4_I

The beach, the boys, the heartbreak, it’s all back for one final summer. Belly returns to Cousins Beach, torn between Jeremiah and Conrad, as her life after college enters a new chapter. Based on Jenny Han’s best-selling trilogy, Season 3 premieres with the first two episodes, promising heartfelt moments, romantic dilemmas, and personal growth.

Perfect for: Teen drama lovers, fans of To All The Boys, and anyone craving a bittersweet summer escape.

Vir Das: Fool Volume (Netflix)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA_CdOkiuKU

Get ready for smart laughs with a side of soul-searching. Vir Das’s fifth Netflix special is his most personal yet — blending humour, life reflections, and satire, performed across Mumbai, Delhi, and London. With no script, no rehearsal, just raw stage presence, Fool Volume is both thought-provoking and hilarious.

Perfect for: Comedy fans, stand-up lovers, and anyone who enjoys a blend of intellect and irreverence.

Kuberaa (Amazon Prime Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiVdj7fCuQs

Dhanush stars in this intense crime drama that’s as political as it is personal. Set in the underbelly of Tirupati, Kuberaa unravels a gripping tale of a humble beggar caught in a dangerous web involving oil conspiracies, CBI corruption, and global greed. With a strong cast featuring Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, and Jim Sarbh, the film delivers action, drama, and commentary on exploitation.

Perfect for: Fans of gritty narratives, Dhanush followers, and lovers of socio-political thrillers.

The Bhootnii (Z5)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8Wfzxch7Xo

Who said ghosts can’t be funny? The Bhootnii is a madcap horror-comedy set in a haunted college campus where a Valentine’s Day legend turns deadly. With Sanjay Dutt leading the cast, joined by Mouni Roy, Sunny Singh, and Palak Tiwari, the film mixes laughter and spook in equal doses.

Perfect for: Horror-comedy fans, college nostalgia lovers, and those seeking light-hearted scares.

Rematch (Lionsgate Play)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e12oggUkt8U

Travel back to 1997 when Garry Kasparov faced off against IBM’s Deep Blue in a world-changing chess match. Rematch is a riveting miniseries that doesn’t just recreate history, it explores the emotional toll and the philosophical clash between man and machine. Christian Cooke plays Kasparov with quiet intensity in this six-episode psychological drama.

Perfect for: Chess lovers, fans of tech history, and those intrigued by the limits of human intelligence.

So, whether you're in the mood for heart-melting romance, soul-stirring drama, nail-biting thrillers, or light-hearted comedy, this weekend’s lineup has you covered. Saiyaara brings melody and magic to the big screen, while Tanvi The Great offers an inspiring tale of grit and dreams. If chills are what you're after, Nikita Roy and I Know What You Did Last Summer promise edge-of-the-seat suspense.

Prefer to stay in? Special Ops 2.0 delivers high-octane cyber-espionage, Kuberaa dives into the dark undercurrents of crime and corruption, and The Summer I Turned Pretty serves up emotional twists under the sun. For laughs with depth, Vir Das: Fool Volume is a must-watch, while The Bhootnii keeps things spooky yet silly. And for those curious about the battle of brain vs machine, Rematch offers a fascinating slice of tech history. Whatever your vibe, there’s a screen and a story waiting for you this weekend.