Sankranthiki Vasthunam becomes a breakout hit for ZEE5 in 2025, here are the platform's most-streamed South movies | Exclusive
From the Telugu hit Sankranthiki Vasthunam to Manikandan's Tamil family-drama Kudumbasthan, here are ZEE5's most-streamed South movies of 2025 that are also available to watch on OTTplay Premium.
Last Updated: 06.52 PM, Nov 17, 2025
Telugu star Venkatesh-led Sankranthiki Vasthunam has emerged to be a blockbuster hit on the streaming platform ZEE5, repeating its successful run in cinemas on the digital space too. The Tamil film Kudumbasthan is the other top-performing movie on the platform in terms of watch-time, while Malayalam star Tovino Thomas-led Identity is also not far behind. Here are ZEE5's most-streamed South movies of 2025 that are also available to watch on OTTplay Premium.
(All the watch-time figures were exclusively shared to OTTplay by the platform ZEE5)
South movies with the most-watch time on Zee5
Written and helmed by Anil Ravipudi, Sankranthiki Vasthunam had a terrific run at the cinemas when it was released for Pongal in 2025. The Venkatesh-led film recorded a whopping watch time of around 744 million since its digital debut on Zee5 on March 1, 2025, as per the data provided by the platform to OTTplay. The action-comedy film follows the events after a former cop, Raju, promises to help the ACP, who also happens to be his ex-girlfriend, in a crucial case. Aishwarya Rajesh brings the humorous drama as Raju’s wife Bhagyam, who insists on accompanying him on the mission. Meenakshi Chaudhary plays the ACP.
Remarking on the phenomenal numbers, ZEE5's senior platform content manager Vinu Narayanan points out that Telugu cinema is a movie market. That is a bigger market geographically also, the official said, while pointing out that Telugu content has good followers in the Hindi-speaking market as well.
The Manikandan-starrer, with around 360 million watch time, is the big draw from Tamil cinema, as per the ZEE5 data. The film depicts the travails of a youth struggling to make both ends meet after he loses his job, but does not reveal it to his family. Rajeshwar Kalisamy directs this film, which also features Saanve Meghana and Guru Somasundaram. The film made its OTT debut on March 7, 2025.
Tovino Thomas-led Identity was the first major release of Malayalam cinema in 2025, ringing in the New Year for the Kerala box office. After a not-so-great box office run, Identity amassed around 328 million watch time since its release on January 31, 2025, ZEE5 shared with OTTplay. Helmed by Akhil Paul and Anas Khan, the action-packed Identity is the top-performing Malayalam film of the year for the platform. Vinu Narayanan credits the star value of Tovino Thomas as one of the driving forces for Identity’s performance on the site.
Yet another Tamil family drama Maaman, starring Soori, recorded nearly 211 million watch time since its digital debut on August 8, 2025. Inba’s bond with his young nephew is depicted in the film, which features Aishwarya Lekshmi as his wife Rekha, whose marital relationship is affected because of this.
Arjun Ashokan’s horror comedy, Sumathi Valavu, also finds a spot on this list. Launched on September 26, 2025, the film recorded nearly 182 million watch time on the platform. The film, focusing on a haunted stretch of road, had received mixed reviews upon its theatrical release.
Prince and Family, starring Dileep, and Suresh Gopi and Anupama Parameswaran’s controversial film JSK: Janaki V v/s State of Kerala are the other top-performing Malayalam movies on the site.
The Kannada thriller series Ayyana Mane recorded around 163 million watch time. Kushee Ravi leads Ayyana Mane as the young bride Jaji, who moves to her husband’s house but comes across unsettling findings about mysterious deaths in the family. Manasi Sudhir, Hitha Chandrashekar, and Archana Kottige play other key roles in the series, created by Shruti Naidu.
FAQs
Q. Is Sankranthiki Vasthunam release in OTT?
A. Sankranthiki Vasthunam released on OTT in March 2025. The Venkatesh film, with Aishwarya Rajesh and Meenakshi Chaudhary, is streaming on Zee5 via OTTplay Premium.
Q. What's new on ZEE5?
A. The Malayalam horror comedy series Inspection Bungalow and the Marathi suspense thriller film Dashavatar are the new releases on ZEE5 (also via OTTplay Premium) this week.