Why non-Tamil audiences should watch Lubber Pandhu than Vettaiyan on OTT

In this week’s big OTT release is Tamil film Vettaiyan. For those who missed watching the Rajinikanth-starrer in theatres, worry not as it is now available for streaming on Prime Video. Written and directed by filmmaker TJ Gnanavel, Vettaiyan boasts a star-studded cast, including the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Manju Warrier and Rana Daggubati. Not to forget, the socio-political filled commentary with the charisma of Rajinikanth. However, we do understand, that the film did not fulfill the expectations of many. And if cinema is one form of love in India, cricket is another. So, we also hear the disappointment of scores of fans who witnessed India’s loss to New Zealand in the recently concluded New Zealand tour of India, 2024. But you know what? We think we may have a medicine to soothe you at this time. Lubber Pandhu on Disney+ Hotstar, a cricket-based drama that tells how even sometimes as we lose, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Lubber Pandhu on OTT

As Indians, it is an open secret how cricket and cinema are two lifelines for each one of us. In the view of India’s loss to New Zealand, we recommend you watching Lubber Pandhu on Disney+ Hotstar starring Harish Kalyan and Dinesh, as a soothing balm. Directed by Tamizharasan Pachamuthu in his directorial debut, Lubber Pandhu is not just about a game of cricket, and two opposing and equally talented men tripping on their egos, but a film that teaches you at the end, that sometimes losing can also be not bad after all.

Also read: Lubber Pandhu Movie Review: Harish Kalyan's sports-family drama hits it out of the park, delivers six after six through powerful dialogues 

After Gethu (Dinesh) and Anbu (Harish Kalyan) get onto the wrong foot of one other, resulting in their egos growing bigger than their love for cricket, the pitch becomes a testament to their self-esteem. They constantly try to outdo one another, until a personal conflict pulls them together, and eventually makes them play for the same team. And just as you think that the two exceptionally talented players would lift the trophy for their team, comes the time when they lose on purpose. What is the purpose you may ask. But that is up to you to stream on Hotstar and watch! Lubber Pandhu might be a Tamil film, but is available for streaming in Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada as well.

Why you should watch Lubber Pandhu over Vettaiyan on OTT

Both Lubber Pandhu and Vettaiyan are available for streaming in multiple Indian languages. While it is not easy to diss Vettaiyan, a film which dared to show a massive hero like Rajinikanth committing a wrongdoing and finding repentance for it, Lubber Pandhu easily becomes the watch of the week, given its intricate and tight screenplay, crisp dialogues and honest performances. The film also doubles up as an energy booster, gearing each cricket lover within us, for the upcoming India Vs Australia series which will stream on Jio Cinema and OTTplay Premium later this month.

Lubber Pandhu will give you the much-needed cheer, and enthusiasm to celebrate sportsmanship. And also make you feel how sometimes the experience of playing a game together is much more than the trophy itself.

On the other hand, we are not denying the intricate layers that Vettaiyan possesses. Despite certain missteps, Vettaiyan manages to show a flawed protagonist through a star like Rajinikanth, and give a captivating character through Fahadh Faasil’s Patrick. TJ Gnanavel manages to show the flaws in a much-debated topic of extra judicial killings by cops. Even as the film did not make a steady story out of it, Vettaiyan still becomes one of those Rajinkanth films which dared to show the star in a different angle.

Also read: Vettaiyan Movie Review: Rajinikanth and TJ Gnanavel’s film on encounter killings is honest but a starry mess with too many things to say 

Having said that, the weekend is upon us, and let’s relax ourselves with some good cinema as we wish luck for the Indian team for their upcoming match with Australia. Alas, who can say no to good cinema and an interesting game of cricket.