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After stirring mixed reactions in theatres, Joju George’s Malayalam action film is set to launch on the OTT platform Zee 5 from September 11. giving viewers who skipped the big screen a shot at catching it at home.
Varavu will begin streaming on ZEE5 starting September 11. The digital rollout arrives close to two months after the film first opened in cinemas, following the typical window Malayalam releases tend to observe before moving to OTT. This film marks the first collaboration between Shaji Kailas and Joju Georges. Shaji is widely known as the hitmaker in Malayalam cinema. The film is also written by A K Sajan.
ZEE5 has secured exclusive streaming rights for the film, meaning it won't be available on any other platform at launch. Subscribers of the service will be able to stream it directly once it goes live.
Varavu had a bumpy road to theatres, its release was pushed back twice, first from May, before finally opening on July 16. The plot follows Polachan, portrayed by Joju George, a wealthy planter who comes back to his native village in Kerala after being released from prison. Fuelled by old grudges against his rivals, Polachan sets out on a path of revenge, while also engineering a plan for his younger brother Willy missing for four years to take the fall for his actions. At its core, the film is a story of buried family conflict resurfacing after years of silence, exposing corruption and long-standing power struggles within a small town.
Joju George leads the cast as Polachan, with Arjun Ashokan playing his brother Willy. Vani Viswanath and Murali Gopy appear in key roles, while the supporting cast includes Saniya Iyappan, Vincy Aloshious, Sukanya, Baburaj, Deepak Parambol, Azees Nedumangad, Abhimanyu Thilakan, and Bobby Kurian.
Reviews for Varavu were largely divided. Several critics singled out Murali Gopy for delivering a controlled, quietly intense performance. Not everyone was won over, though some felt Kailas's attempt to update his signature visual sequences, came across as dated rather than fresh. Fans of Shaji Kailas's style and Joju George's intensity will likely find enough to enjoy, while those seeking something more inventive might come away underwhelmed. Either way, the film is now just days away from its ZEE5 debut on September 11.