Olly Plus to Reel Drama: 11 regional OTT platforms that deserve your attention

Digital avenues have taken the world by storm and OTT platforms have emerged as saviours in the pandemic. Not only have they actively encouraged filmmakers to bring fresh, creative content to streamers but have also given rise to new platforms altogether that cater to specific regional languages. In a country with thousands of regional languages that help people connect with their culture, regional cinema has also flourished. In 2021 alone, India has seen some incredible regional films like The Great Indian Kitchen, Karnan and Vakeel Saab.

On a larger scale, the advent of regional cinema and its assimilation on a nationwide scale has allowed cross culture facilitation and has introduced audiences to some gems that transcend the barriers of language. When India’s nominations for international awards like the Academy Awards are slowly leaning towards fully acknowledging regional content, then the need for OTT platforms that showcase these movies and other iconic films have become important. Here are 11 OTT platforms that exclusively stream regional language content:

1. Olly Plus - Odia

This Odia platform was launched by SK Line Production in the form of an app in 2020. The streaming platform features content like videos, movies, albums, short films and podcasts in Odia for its users. The vision of the app is to turn the Odia film industry into a globally recognised film industry.

Titles you can stream now: Nirabata (series), Suicide or Not (short film), Adhura (film), Dekha Hela Pare (film) and more

2. Hoichoi - Bengali

Hoichoi has been gaining popularity lately for its original Bengali web-series that are dazzling audiences. The platform also provides English subtitles with Bengali audio. Currently, this SVF Entertainment-owned platform boasts of over 500 movies and 2000 hours of Bengali content.

Titles you can stream now: Tangra Blues (film), Mohmaya Chapter 2 (series), Antim Pawrbo (series), Charirtraheen (series) and more

3. Aha Video - Telugu

Exclusively meant for Telugu content, Aha Video has successfully bagged the digital rights of some Telugu blockbusters like Priyadarshi’s In The Name of God. This platform is dedicated to helping the Telugu film industry gain recognition for their hard work and excellent performances.

Titles you can stream now: In The Name of God (series), Playback (film), Thank you Brother (film) and more

4. Planet Marathi - Marathi

Marathi production house Planet Marathi introduced their streaming platform in 2020. The aim of the app is to make Marathi films accessible to people all across the globe. The streamer features web series, films, culinary shows and education programmes for young learners. The creators of Planet Marathi are also going to introduce a pay-per-view feature.

Titles you can stream now: AB Aani CD (film), Goshta Eka Paithanichi (film), June (film) and more

5. Cityshor.TV - Gujarati

Owned by Ahmedabad-based CityShor.com, this streaming service was launched in October 2020 and showcases original web-series and other movies and short films. CityShor.TV provides free access to all of its titles and gives filmmakers a chance to host their content.

Titles you can stream now: Tikkhi Mitthi Life (series), The Street Food Journey of Gujarat (series), Millennial Zindagi (film), Deval vs Dabeli (short film) and more

6. ReelDrama - Assamese

Headquartered in Hyderabad, Reeldrama Production introduced ReelDrama - an OTT platform dedicated to Assamese content - in January 2021. The catalogue of the app includes old Assamese movies, short films, theatre performances, slam poetry, and stand up comedy. The platform also features a specific kids section.

Titles you can stream now: Raktabeez (film), Calendar (film), Haahit Petor Bikh (series), Sur Fiesta (musical) and more

7. Talkies - Tulu, Konkani, Kannada

Talkies offers a plethora of content in four languages - Tulu, Konkani, Kannada and even Beary. The app also has Yakshagana for viewing, which is a traditional form of theatre from Kannada.

Titles you can stream now: 4 Lakh (film), Girgit (film), Bangarda Patler (film), My Name is Annappa (film) and more

8. AddaTimes - Bengali

“The loony bins are the amazing people that make it all possible,” believes this Bengali streaming platform. AddaTimes features Bengali content that is experimental and new. They have recently started streaming their own originals along with movies and music.

Titles you can stream now: Duburi (film), Karma (film), Sagar Dutta Special (album), Kidnap (film) and more

9. Neestream - Malayalam

This Malayalam streaming platform is owned by US-based JKH Holdings. The platform was launched in November last year, with its first film being Isakkinte Ithihasam. Neestream features movies and TV shows as well. It also includes a movie-on-demand and pay-per-view format.

Titles you can stream now: The Great Indian Kitchen (film), Aarkkariyam (film),  8 ½ Intercuts: Life and Films of KG George (film) and more

10. Heeroz - Punjabi

Heeroz features a catalogue of popular Punjabi movies and Punjabi literature that is adapted into web-series and original movies. The titles that the app hosts highlight the traditions and beliefs of Punjabis living in India and abroad. The genres that Heeroz showcases are comedy, action, family or musical films.

Titles you can stream now: Laavaan Phere (film), Vadda Kalakaar (film), Jatt Airways (film) and more

11. SainaPlay - Malayalam

SainaPlay boasts of a catalogue of over 700 HD movies that is owned by Saina Audio Video - Kerala’s oldest and leading media company. Users can avail a subscription at a nominal fee that gives them the option to browse through an extensive catalogue of quality Malayalam titles.

Titles you can stream now: Kho Kho (film), The Last Two Days (film), Marakkar (film), Kala (film) and more