OTT reviews

OTT Review: Mammootty’s Kalamkaval – Telugu dubbed Malayalam movie on Sony LIV

by 123telugu January 17, 2026

Movie Name : Kalamkaval
Streaming Date : Jan 16, 2026
Streaming Platform : Sony LIV
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Mammootty, Vinayakan, Rajisha Vijayan, Malavika Menon, and others
Director : Jithin K. Jose
Producer : Mammootty
Music Director : Mujeeb Majeed
Cinematographer : Faisal Ali
Editor : Praveen Prabhakar

Related Links : Trailer

Malayalam cinema has earned a strong reputation as they consistently deliver quality thrillers. One such crime thriller to come out recently from the industry is Kalamkaval. Starring Malayalam Megastar Mammootty in the lead role, the film has now also been released in Telugu on Sony LIV. Let’s see how the film fares.

Story:

Between 2005 and 2012, several middle-aged, unmarried, divorced, and those living alone go missing in several parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. With no clues or traces to explain their disappearance, the case becomes a major headache for the Kerala Police.

In this context, Crime Branch officer Jayakrishna (Vinayakan), nicknamed Gudlaguba (owl), takes charge of the investigation. At the same time, how a decent family man named Stanley Das (Mammootty) becomes involved in these serial crimes forms the crux of the story. Who is behind these murders? What’s the motive? Did the police finally catch the killer or not? To find answers, one must watch the film.

Plus Points:

A Hindi series based on a similar concept already exists. Those who have watched it may find certain elements familiar. However, for viewers who haven’t seen it, Kalamkaval offers an intriguing and engaging thriller experience. People looking for an interesting investigative thriller can definitely add this film to their watchlist.

The biggest strength of the film is that it is inspired by real-life incidents. The narration makes us glued to the screens without any room for boredom. It constantly makes us curious about what happens next. The investigation unfolds with solid, thrilling moments, for which the director deserves special appreciation.

Some twists work effectively, enhanced by a strong background score. Another major asset of the film is Mammootty’s presence and performance. It is surprising to see him choose such a dark role, but he excels in it. The legendary actor does full justice to Stanley Das’ character with his settled, understated performance with negative shades.

Vinayakan also gets a strong role as the investigating officer and fits the bill perfectly. The rest of the cast delivers natural performances. Even for those who have watched the Hindi series, the narration feels gripping and better executed, with certain changes working well.

Minus Points:

As mentioned earlier, viewers who have already seen the Hindi web show Dahaad, starring Sonakshi Sinha and Vijay Varma, might feel slightly disappointed if they expect the content to be entirely new. As the core concept is known in advance, the movie may feel predictable.

Although the story is based on real incidents, it feels illogical that, over so many years of investigation, not even a single clue, trace, or body is found. Also, the pacing dips in the mid portions

Technical Aspects:

The production values are good, with Mammootty himself backing the film. Mujeeb Majeed’s music works well, especially the sound design and background score, which enhance the impact of many scenes. Faisal Ali’s cinematography is decent, and Praveen Prabhakar’s editing is mostly effective.

Director Jithin K. Jose neatly handles a familiar concept that has been explored in multiple films and series. While comparisons with Dahaad are inevitable, his execution is impressive. The narration offers good thrills for first-time viewers, and even those who have seen similar content may find this version gripping.

Verdict:

On the whole, Mammootty’s Kalamkaval offers decent thrills for viewers who go in without prior knowledge of the concept and are looking for a crime investigation thriller. Mammootty impresses with a solid performance, and the engaging narration keeps the audience invested. While it may not feel entirely new for those who have already watched Dahaad, for others, it makes for a satisfying OTT watch.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

January 17, 2026

OTT Review: The Family Man Season 3 – Telugu dubbed series on Prime Video

by 123telugu November 22, 2025

Web Series Name : The Family Man Season 3
Streaming Date : Nov 21, 2025
Streaming Platform : Amazon Prime Video
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Manoj Bajpayee, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nimrat Kaur, Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Ashlesha Thakur and Others
Director : Raj & DK, Suman Kumar, Tusshar Seyth
Producers : Raj & DK
Music Director : Sachin-Jigar, Ketan Sodha
Cinematographer : Jay Charola
Editor : Sumeet Kotian

Related Links : Trailer

Prime Video has dropped the much-awaited third installment of The Family Man, one of the most loved web shows in the Indian digital space. The third season is headlined by Manoj Bajpayee and Jaideep Ahlawat. Let’s see if it has lived up to the expectations or not.

Story:

The Indian government launches a new initiative called ‘Project Sahakar’ in the Northeastern states of the country, which have been deprived of development and peace. The common people always suffer the most because of local rebel groups, and with the Chinese government trying to establish its forces along the border to weaken India. Six blasts happen in this territory, leading to ‘Project Sahakar’ being put on hold.

Srikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee), along with the NIA Chief Gautam Kulkarni (Dalp Tahil), meets the most respected local leader, David Khuzou (Sunil Thapa), to successfully carry out Project Sahakar, but Rukma (Jaideep Ahlawat) assassinates Gautam Kulkarni and David Khuzou, which brings new challenges for the Indian government.

Plus Points:

The third season is packed with enough meat in the narrative, offering an engaging ride. In this installment, Srikant Tiwari and TASC face unexpected complications as they attempt to stabilize the situation in Northeastern India. There are a good number of thrilling moments, and each new character is well written with depth, who have their own motives and modus operandi, but their ultimate goal remains the same, which is to weaken India in every possible way.

The best part of the show is that Srikant Tiwari, along with his family, also gets stuck in the entire mess, and the main lead is believed to be a suspect in the assassination of the NIA chief. How Srikant Tiwari tries to prove his innocence and protect his family draws our attention. Apart from the smartly written geopolitical episodes involving political moves, the family drama of the protagonist is quite well showcased.

The action choreographers and writing team did a very fine job. Every action sequence looks sublime and is presented stylishly, and they keep us on the edge of our seats. Among all the new characters, it is Jaideep Ahlawat who gets the lion’s share of the screentime, and he is menacing as the biggest threat to the country. The show also taps into the emotional side of the antagonist, making his role more impactful.

The fun moments work pretty well with Srikant and JK Talpade’s witty dynamic in the tense moments, though the show leaves us wanting more of this aspect. Manoj Bajpayee once again captivates with his effortless performance, and it is difficult not to like his character. Sharib Hashmi brings the comic relief with his dialogues.

Nimrat Kaur leaves an impact, while Shreya Dhanwanthary as Zoya makes a strong return to the show. Jugal Hansraj, Harman Singha, Jason Tham, and Gul Panag did a fine job. The rest of the cast also lent their ample support, elevating the proceedings. Telugu actor Rag Mayur, though present for a very short time, evokes laughs with his one-liners.

Minus Points:

The biggest drawback of The Family Man Season 3 is its release window. The show is set in Northeastern India and explores the geopolitical tensions and political instability there. Very recently, Paatal Lok 2 explored the same subject, and coincidentally, Jaideep Ahlawat played the protagonist there.

The main plot, hence, gives a familiar feel at the outset, reducing the freshness. Though the subplots and approach are different, the concept is very similar to Paatal Lok 2, and it somewhat diminishes the overall impact. The pacing gets slow at times, and the editing team could have done a better job. The cliffhanger is weak and also looks forced, leaving many questions unanswered.

Technical Aspects:

The makers haven’t compromised a bit on the technical front, as the show offers a solid experience, especially during the action sequences. The production design is brilliant. Jay Charola’s superior camera work keeps us glued to the screen, while Ketan Sodha’s background score is electrifying. The editing could have been better, though.

The Telugu dubbing is quite good, just like that of the first two seasons. Apart from Raj & DK, Tusshar Seyth and Suman Kumar also directed the new season, and they did a good job. They made sure the show never runs out of steam by neatly fleshing out new characters and tense moments.

Verdict:

On the whole, The Family Man Season 3 deals with a new mission with bigger stakes, and the outcome is satisfactory. There are enough gripping moments to hold our attention for the most part, and the newly added characters make the proceedings engaging. The show’s biggest drawback is that the backdrop and plotline are quite similar to Paatal Lok 2, reducing the impact to some extent. Also, the cliffhanger could have been executed better. Manoj Bajpayee and Jaideep Ahlawat shine the most, and the rest of the cast did a very fine job. Despite its share of flaws, the new installment still makes for a decent watch, banking majorly on performances and action blocks.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

November 22, 2025

OTT Review: Fahadh Faasil’s Maareesan – Telugu-dubbed film on Netflix

by 123telugu August 24, 2025

Movie Name : Maareesan
Streaming Date : Aug 22, 2025
Streaming Platform : Netflix
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Fahadh Faasil, Vadivelu, Kovai Sarala and Others
Director : Sudheesh Sankar
Producer : R. B. Choudary
Music Director : Yuvan Shankar Raja
Cinematographer : Kalaiselvan Sivaji
Editor : Sreejith Sarang

Related Links : Trailer

Maareesan marks the reunion of Mollywood actor Fahadh Faasil and Kollywood actor Vadivelu after Maamannan. The Tamil movie has recently made its entry into the digital space. The Telugu version is also available on Netflix. Here’s a detailed review.

Story:

Daya (Fahadh Faasil) is a thief. While attempting to loot a house, he encounters Velayudham (Vadivelu) in an unexpected situation. Velayudham asks Daya to let him go and drop him at the nearest bus station. Daya agrees, but only in exchange for money. Velayudham requests Daya to free him and drop him at a nearby bus station. In return, Daya asks for money, which Velayudham agrees to. In the process, Daya learns that Velayudham has Alzheimer’s and plans to steal his money. As their journey unfolds, shocking truths emerge. Who is Velayudham really? Is he truly a patient, or does he have another motive? Is Daya a cruel man or a soft-hearted thief? These questions, along with others, are revealed as the story progresses.

Plus Points:

Vadivelu, widely known for his comedic roles, has rarely been explored in serious roles. In the past, many comedians have stated that actors capable of doing comedy can handle any role, and Vadivelu proves it with Maareesan. As a character with Alzheimer’s, he delivers a restrained and powerful performance that draws the audience into the story. The darker turn his character takes later is another highlight of his performance, showing his versatility once again.

Fahadh Faasil’s decision to play Daya is appreciative. Though the story centers around Vadivelu, he accepted the role and skillfully portrayed a character full of contrasts – soft, cruel, humorous, and innocent. His scenes and conversations with Vadivelu are delightful to watch.

Initially, the film seems like a simple road trip story involving a thief and a memory-loss patient. However, as the layers are peeled back, the real twist emerges, revealing the true essence of the story. The film succeeds in keeping the actual theme under wraps until this reveal, which works very well.

The emotional core in the second half is effective at several points. Supporting actors like Sithara, despite a small role, perform admirably, while Vivek Prasanna is given a neat, well-executed part.

Minus Points:

The real challenge in a thriller movie is to maintain engagement once the main twist is revealed, and this is where many directors falter. Director Sudheesh Sankar is no exception. The writing by V. Krishna Moorthy could have been more engaging even after the twist. Had it been, the film could have remained a solid thriller.

The second half loses momentum and fails to maintain the thrill of the first half. Certain unnecessary scenes appear to drag the film. Both writing and execution contribute to this lapse. As a result, the runtime feels long, especially after the main twist is revealed. A better inclusion of secondary twists could have made it more engaging.

Kovai Sarala, as Assistant Commissioner Fareeda, doesn’t have much to contribute to the story. The director could have leveraged Sithara’s scenes more dramatically to evoke stronger emotional engagement. Additionally, including songs in such a thriller hampers the pacing.

Technical Aspects:

V. Krishna Moorthy’s Writing and Sudheesh Sankar’s direction are a delight in the initial part of the movie, but unfortunately, their quality declines in the second half. The camera work of Kalaiselvan Sivaji is passable; however, especially in the second half, Sreejith Sarang’s editing could have been better. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s score is just about alright, and it is a letdown that the songs in the Telugu version are not freely adapted, even though the dubbing is quite good. The production values seem to be nicely compatible with the content.

Verdict:
On the whole, Maareesan is a thriller that retains the viewers’ interest at some occasions. Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil put out strong performances. Unfortunately, the second half gets a bit slow with unnecessary scenes and the storyline turning predictable, thereby having a lesser impact on the movie as a whole. The movie is good to see for the actors and the decent first half if you want, but don’t watch expecting a perfect thriller.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

August 24, 2025

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