Ata Thambaycha Naay! out on OTT: Here's where you can stream Bharat Jadhav, Siddhartha Jadhav's drama film

An incident that happened in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 2017 is the basis for the slice-of-life scenario that the Marathi drama Ata Thambaycha Naay! brought to OTT on June 28, 2025, which began streaming on ZEE5 (OTTplay Premium). The film follows a group of BMC employees as they deal with the emotions of hope, dissatisfaction, and dread about the prospect of job insecurity. Shivraj Waichal directed the film.

Anxieties at the civic body headquarters

The film opens in the middle of the civic body headquarters in Mumbai, where reports of impending layoffs are causing staff to become increasingly anxious. But things take a sharp turn when Ashutosh Gowariker's Assistant Municipal Commissioner Uday Kumar Shirurkar summons a group of employees—not to hand them pink slips but to give them an opportunity to go back to school.

An ensemble cast propels the film. Sakharam Manchekar, played by Bharat Jadhav, is an employee who is hesitant to return to the world of textbooks as retirement draws near. Siddharth Jadhav plays the role of Maruti Kadam, whose consistent dedication causes her to pass out from sheer exhaustion during class. The night school instructor charged with instructing these adult students, Nilesh Mali, is played by Om Bhutkar. The ensemble cast includes Prajakta Hanamghar, Parna Pethe, Pravin Dalimbkar, Kiran Khoje, and Rohini Hattangadi, who play various roles that speak to the variety of daily challenges faced by BMC personnel. 

ALSO READ: Ata Thambaycha Naay: What is Ashutosh Gowariker-Bharat Jadhav's movie all about and why it deserves your attention 

Inspired by a 2017 BMC night school initiative

Based on a real-life program that offered 23 public servants the opportunity to finish their Class 10 education through night classes in 2017, Ata Thambaycha Naay! follows this lead. Recognising the challenges of juggling employment, home life, and education, the film doesn't romanticise their journey. Nilesh Sir must restore the team's faith in second chances when morale drops and Manchekar begs them to quit.

The film also discusses the need for respect for workers, the fact that education is valuable at any age, and the often-overlooked role that city employees play in city life.

Now streaming on ZEE5

Ata Thambaycha Naay! is a poignant reminder that there is no age limit to seeking knowledge, thanks to its factually grounded and emotionally authentic plot. This heartfelt and timely depiction of optimism, tenacity, and unity is now available to see on ZEE5.