Weekend watchlist: 10 TV shows and movies to check out this Diwali

‘Annaatthe’ (UAE cinemas): South Indian superstar Rajinikanth comes bearing gifts this Diwali and brings along a fire-cracker of a family drama with ‘Annaatthe’. This Tamil-language star vehicle showcases Rajinikant’s iconic acting histrionics as a saviour who goes to Kolkata to save his beloved sister, played by Keerthy Suresh. This film has action, drama, emotions, and spectacle in plenty and who better than Tamil icon Rajinikanth to breathe life into a blockbuster-friendly material. Rajinikanth is in top form here.

‘Sooryavanashi’ (UAE cinemas): After more than 20 months, here’s a Bollywood film filled with high octane stunts and glamorous scenes. Led by Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Katrina Kaif, and Ranveer Singh, this star-studded movie releasing globally on November 5 is directed by Rohit Shetty who has a firm pulse on what the audiences seek during a festive period like Diwali. Simply put, every Indian observing the Indian festival of lights want a bombastic Bollywood fare filled with action, songs, dance, and drama. And, Shetty is the king of such larger-than-life films. Actor Kumar plays a fierce cop in the titular role who is out to thwart a lethal terror attack. This is the fourth instalment from Shetty’s cop universe. Be ready to be bowled over by a team of super cops who make the bizarre look brilliant. Director Shetty is also good with comedy, so this is one of those rare films that can be seen with your entire family during Diwali weekend.

‘Little Things’ (Netflix): Diwali is all about sending time with your loved one and this heart-warming series about a twenty-something couple navigating the tricky terrains of a relationship is an absolute keeper. Dhruv and Kavya — played brilliantly by actors Dhruv Sehgal and Mithila Palkar — are the portrait of a modern-day couple who are real and earnest with each other. Their fights and their make-ups aren’t dramatic and seem organic. There’s a lack of artifice with this series that make you root for the central couple. It also underlines the fact that it’s the small things in life that make it beautiful, a theme that Diwali celebrates. It’s one of the rare romantic dramas in Netflix that can be watched with your entire family. It never goes into a dark or morbid space, but it’s bright in an unintrusive way. When you are three seasons in, I guarantee you that you will begin missing Dhruv and Kavya — a resounding testament to the brilliance of this feel good series.

‘Meenakshi Sundareshwar’ (Netflix): Actress Sanya Malhotra of ‘Dangal’ fame stars in the romantic comedy about the difficulty in maintaining long-distance relationships. The film charts the tumultuous relationship between a married couple who aren’t very good at maintaining relationship goals when apart. Distance can been a mood killer and this film might just prove the adage true. This comedy, premiering tomorrow, also stars Abhimanyu Dassani.

‘War’ (Amazon Prime Video): There’s something wicked about watching two hunks — Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff — execute death-defying stunts. These two conquer evil by slashing the bad guys and they pack a punch. The songs and dances too are festive and splendid. If you are in the mood to watch a Bollywood-style song-stunts-dance spectacle, then war is a must-stop. Roshan and Shroff make a formidable super team on the big screen. Their gleaming torsos also make you want to hit the gym after feasting on all those sweets this Diwali.

‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ (Amazon Prime Video): For a heartwarming tale of love that never goes out of style, look no further than this classic 1995 movie starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. They play and Raj and Simran who meet on a trip through Europe, that the young lady had to convince her strict father to let her go on. They eventually fall in love but Simran is already set to be married to someone else. However, Raj isn’t ready to give up on true love and he follows Simran to India where he tries to win over her father. This film is still playing in a Mumbai cinema and fans still love the songs, dialogues and plot.

‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (Amazon Prime Video): This is another Bollywood that features the iconic pairing of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol (along Rani Mukerji). In this 1998 drama, Rahul, Anjali and Tina are close friends. Rahul and Tina get married and have a kid, while Anjali has to let go of her crush on Rahul. Years later, after Tina has passed away, her and Rahul’s daughter — named Anjali — conspires to unit her father with the older Anjali. It sounds dramatic but it’s a great story that will make you shed a tear or two.

‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ (Netflix): This classic family drama (which incidentally stars SRK, Kajol and Mukerji) is perfect viewing over Diwali. In it, Rahul is the adopted son of a wealthy couple. When he decides to get married to a middle-class woman, his father banishes him from the family. Years later, Rahul’s brother Rohan finds out the circumstances behind the drama and sets off to bring his older sibling back home. It also stars Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ (Netflix): Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan star in this comedic and fun classic from 1994. The storyline follows the lives of Prem and his brother Rajesh who are orphaned at a young age. A marriage is arranged between Rajesh and Pooja, and then Prem falls for his sister-in-law’s sister Nisha. Tragedy strikes when Pooja dies and Nisha is expected to marry Rajesh.

‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ (Netflix): A star-studded cast comprising Salman Khan, Sonali Bendre, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan and Tabu tell a story of a family that gets divided due to misunderstandings. Ramkishan and Mamta are the parents to three sons. However, discord is sown after Mamta’s friends make her distrust her stepson Vivek.