Movie buffs, get ready for a diverse slate of South Indian cinema hitting streaming platforms this January. From the action-packed fantasy of Balakrishna’s ‘Akhanda 2’ on Netflix to the gritty sports drama ‘Balti’ starring Shane Nigam on Prime Video, there’s something for everyone. Explore social commentary in ‘Angammal’ on Sun NXT and a dark comedy thriller ‘Mask’ on ZEE5. We are in the second week of January 2026, which means more content to stream for movie buffs. This week, we have an interesting mix of OTT releases from South cinema. Think rooted social dramas, action spectacles, and even period dramas. From Balakrishna’s ‘Akhanda 2’ to Shane Nigam’s ‘Balti’, here’s a list of OTT releases of the week from South cinema.
Akhanda 2: Thaandavam
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook)
Nandamuri Balakrishna’s ‘Akhanda 2’ has finally come to your living room. In the film directed by Boyapati Sreenu, Balakrishna reprises the role of Akhanda Rudra Sikandar Aghora. The fantasy thriller has action, spirituality, and nationalism, all wrapped securely. The film will start streaming on Netflix on January 9. “Akhanda 2 delivers scale, noise, and a handful of impactful moments but struggles to recreate the gripping emotional core and narrative tightness that made Akhanda click for many viewers. It lands as a grand yet uneven sequel: ambitious in spirit, loud in execution, and inconsistent in engagement,” the TOI review reads.
Nandamuri Balakrishna’s ‘Akhanda 2’ Release Postpones After Premiere Shows Cancelled!
Balti
Debutant Unni Sivalingam’s directorial ‘Balti’ is an action drama featuring Shane Nigam, Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, and Preethi Asrani in the lead roles. The multi-lingual (Malayalam-Tamil) film is a gritty action thriller. Set in the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, the film features Shane Nigam as a kabaddi player. You can catch the film on Prime Video on January 9. “Balti could have worked as a sports movie with its well-shot and exciting kabaddi scenes,” the TOI review reads.
Angammal
Vipin Radhakrishnan’s directorial ‘Angammal’ is an adaptation of Perumal Murugan’s short story Kodithuni. A social drama, the film is set in the 1990s, and revolves around Angammal, a fiercely independent widow, who refuses to wear a blouse to please her son’s prospective in-laws. “The film lands because it refuses to pick sides or wrap things neatly. These people are stubborn, flawed, and contradictory, and the script lets them stay that way through the end,” the TOI review reads. You can stream ‘Angammal’ on Sun NXT from January 9.
Mask
Helmed by debutant Vikarnan Ashok, ‘Mask’ features Kavin and Andrea Jeremiah in the lead roles. The film revolves around a crooked detective who is forced to recover stolen money. The dark Tamil comedy thriller is a societal commentary on power, greed, and masks. “Watching Mask feels like ordering a dish that looks great but tastes fine. You finish it without too many complaints and move on,” the TOI review reads. You can watch the film on ZEE5 from January 9.
