Screen Time: Fake Lives and Real Stakes
Shows this month include more gripping content for viewers: A digital influencer spirals into an identity crisis; a drifting college student fakes success; a cricketer is forced to make an impossible choice; two brothers stumble upon a secret; and a cop struggles with family trauma.
Logout (Hindi)
Zee5
The charismatic Babil Khan shines in this fast-paced cyber thriller that explores the psychological toll of digital fame in our hyper-connected world. Directed by Amit Golani and written by Biswapati Sarkar, the film is a gripping look into what happens when a curated online persona begins to fall apart—and the consequences that follow. Babil plays Pratyush “Pratman” Dua, a popular influencer on the cusp of hitting 10 million followers. But when his phone is stolen and an obsessive fan who calls herself “Pratmaniac” takes over his digital life, what begins as a loss of privacy quickly spirals into a psychological nightmare. As Pratyush tries to regain control, both his sense of self and his grip on reality begin to fracture.
Khan proves once again that he’s an actor to watch. His performance hits all the right notes, particularly in the film’s emotional breakdown scenes, where he moves from rage to despair with startling ease. There’s a sincerity in his performance that makes Pratyush’s unraveling feel raw and real—and yes, he’s heartbreakingly good at crying on screen. Khan is in every frame of the film, which allows him to showcase his full range of acting talents, and he doesn’t disappoint. The film’s taut editing and pulsating score keep the tension high throughout. Watch it not only for the twists but for Babil’s compelling performance.
Dragon (Tamil)
Netflix
This is the kind of coming-of-age film that doesn’t try too hard—and that’s exactly what makes it work. Tamil cinema has given us plenty of stories about growing up, but this one brings a sweet, breezy vibe that’s both funny and surprisingly heartfelt. The story follows D. Ragavan (played with goofy charm by Pradeep Ranganathan), a once-bright student now drifting through life after a breakup. Instead of facing the music, he fakes landing a fancy IT job just to keep up appearances with his strict family. His reality is starkly different. He’s still stuck in college, dodging exams and figuring out who he is. Things get even messier when he starts moonlighting as a “fake employee,” helping others pretend they’ve made it too. It’s hilarious—and just awkward enough to feel real.
What makes Dragon special isn’t big drama or over-the-top twists. Director Ashwath Marimuthu keeps things grounded, letting quiet moments and awkward silences do the heavy lifting. Ragavan’s awkward stumbles, quickwitted jokes, and moments of self-reflection feel honest, especially for anyone still figuring out adulthood. This one will make you smile, nod in recognition, and maybe even feel a little less alone in your own mess. It’s a gentle reminder that growing up is messy—and that’s totally okay.
Test (Tamil)
Netflix
Three powerhouses—R. Madhavan, Nayanthara, and Siddharth—come together in this morally complex sports drama and save a predictable story. Arjun Venkataraman (Siddharth) is a veteran cricketer on his way out, battling a slump in form and the looming threat of being dropped from the Indian team. With one final test match on the horizon, he’s desperate to leave the game on a high note. Kumudha (the stunning Nayanthara), a dedicated schoolteacher, has her heart set on becoming a mother through IVF. But the emotional and financial toll of fertility treatment makes her dream feel just out of reach, especially with her husband distracted by his own struggles.
Her husband, Saravanan (R. Madhavan)—aka “Sara”—is an MIT-trained scientist who’s hiding a secret. While everyone thinks he’s running a canteen, he’s actually working on a breakthrough hydro-fuel project. He’s deep in debt and scrambling to get a large sum of money to keep his dream alive. As the test match unfolds, these three lives collide. Arjun fights personal demons under the pressure of a stadium crowd, Kumudha wrestles with hope and heartbreak, and Sara finds himself at a moral crossroads. Siddharth, in particular, delivers a restrained yet powerful performance. His character’s ethical dilemma—caught between loyalty and the lure of fixing the match—mirrors the broader question of what success really costs. Meanwhile, Nayanthara brings gravity and pain to a role haunted by loss but fueled by quiet resilience.
Deli Boys (English)
Hulu
Created by Abdullah Saeed, this is one of the freshest comedy series to hit streaming in 2025—and it delivers a perfect blend of sharp wit, sibling mayhem, and just the right amount of criminal chaos. Set in the world of two very different Pakistani American brothers, Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh), the show kicks off with a twist: their multimillionaire father dies suddenly, only for them to discover he was running a full-blown drug empire behind the guise of his legit company. One brother is all about hustle and responsibility; the other just wants to party. They're both in way over their heads.
The heart of the show is the dysfunctional but endearing bond between the brothers. Asif Ali plays the straight man with just enough frazzled energy, while Saagar Shaikh leans into the chaos with charm and great comedic timing. Poorna Jagannathan is a hoot as Lucky, their no-nonsense advisor who knows more than she lets on—and isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. What makes Deli Boys stand out is how it weaves immigrant identity, family dynamics, and dark humor into one slick package.
Officer on Duty (Malayalam)
Netflix
This Malayalam crime thriller, directed by debutant Jithu Ashraf and written by Shahi Kabir, is a slow-burning yet tightly wound police procedural that’s far more layered than its action-thriller label suggests. At the center of it all is Kunchacko Boban, who delivers one of his most intense performances yet as Harishankar (aka Hari), a short-tempered cop recently demoted for losing control—literally. Posted to a sleepy Aluva police station, Hari seems stuck with routine complaints, until a seemingly minor case involving a fake gold chain leads him into something far darker and closer to home than he ever imagined.
The film unfolds like a jigsaw puzzle, with Hari’s investigation unearthing a web of violence, trauma, and personal history. Jithu Ashraf’s direction is confident for a debut, favoring restraint over flash.
Baisakhi Roy is a culture writer and journalist based in Ontario, Canada. Her work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Huffington Post Canada, Chatelaine, Broadview and CBC. Formerly a reporter with The Indian Express in India, Roy is an avid Bollywood fan and co-hosts the Hindi language podcast KhabardaarPodcast.com. Email: baisakhi.roy@gmail.com
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