Streaming Guide: Films, shows to watch on April 2

Do we need a reason to revisit this classic film? But in case you needed one anyway, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is now streaming on Netflix!

Rocketman is a musical film based on the life of legendary British musician Elton John. The film, which stars  Taron Egerton as Elton John, with Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Sheila Eileen, follows John in his early days in England as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his musical partnership with Taupin.

This Bhojpuri drama is a hard-hitting tale of a young man Manish, who sets out on a bloody rampage in Banaras to avenge his love, Puneeta who was violated by a gang of power-hungry men who ruled that small town city. Directed by Arvind Babbal, Madhuri Talkies stars Sagar Wahi, Aishwarya Sharma in the lead.

Rajat Kapoor, who makes his Bengali debut with the series, stars as Sougata Sinha, a writer who returns to Kolkata after a long time with his wife and daughter. While in the city, he sets about promoting his next novel and is also being haunted by the memories of his ex-girlfriend, who supposedly committed suicide many years ago. This character drives the story forward.

Read more | Shobdo Jodbo review: Rajat Kapoor shines in this psychological thriller

Manoj Bajpayee plays agent Srikant Tiwari who has to deal with his domestic life whilst leading dangerous missions. Leading a double life can be hard on anyone, and The Family Man shows how tiresome and stressful the whole thing can get after a point. Srikant smokes cigarettes and eats chocolates when the pressure gets too much. He sometimes vents out his frustration on close friend and agent JK Talpade (played wonderfully by Sharib Hashmi). 

Descendants of the Sun is considered to be one of the OG romantic K-dramas. The show was a major hit upon its release, and it doesn’t take long to see why. Primarily a love story between an army captain (Song Joong-ki) and a doctor with a strong moral compass (Song Hye-kyo), the show addresses various conflicts (especially conflicts of the heart) and how it is resolved by the leads. What makes the show even more memorable are the cute moments the lead actors share. Even though circumstances force them to be apart, we are constantly made to feel the separation and angst. Of course, it helps that actors Song Hye-kyo and Song Joong-ki were married in real life (they have since divorced), so most of their affection and romantic moments seem very natural and it will make you swoon. Check out link to find out more K-dramas you can watch

Pariyerum Perumal was the maiden production venture of hit filmmaker Pa Ranjith, one of the leading mainstream filmmakers in India who uses film as a medium to amplify Dalit issues. The movie, which exposes the audience to the harsh realities of a casteist society, marked the debut of director Mari Selvaraj. Starring Kathir, Anandhi and Yogi Babu, Pariyerum Perumal is a difficult but important watch. Click here for more details.

Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon & Prasath Murugesan, this series brings to life the story of Shakthi Sheshadri. Inspired by true events, this series is headlined by Ramya Krishnan who portrays the role of Shakthi. Additionally, the series also stars Anikha Surendran, Anjana Jayaprakash and Indrajith Sukumaran amongst others.

Directed by noted Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away is arguably one of the best films to come out of the iconic Studio Ghibli. The film animated film is a visual masterpiece and is a must-watch.

Most of us have seen an adult (or adult-ish) Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory where he talks about his upbringing and life in Texas. Young Sheldon, on Amazon Prime Video, captures that life around his father, mother, brother, sister and grandmother (‘meemaw’).

An adaptation of the book Band Baaja Boys by Rachna Singh, Mannphodganj ki Binny chronicles the life of Binny Bajpai. Essayed by Pranati Rai Prakash, the show us how she escapes her small town to follow her dreams. The show also features Anurag Sinha, Aru Krishnank, Abhinav Anand, Samar Vermani, Alka Kaushal, Atul Srivastava, Kritika, Fahmaan Khan in key roles.

The Resident is a medical web-series about an idealistic young doctor, working under the supervision of a senior resident, enthusiastic to save lives. As each episode unfolds, the doctor realizes that his dreams are falling apart, as ethics get compromised.

Emraan Hashmi is a formerly disgraced agent Kabir Anand aka Adonis (wonder what they were thinking here), who is called upon a three-person mission to rescue four Indian spies from Balochistan. There is sensitive politics at play here, since we know Balochistan has been under the scanner for claiming independence and the pressure that it has had to face from neighbouring countries while doing so. But despite its cinematic liberty and ultimately pitching Emraan’s Kabir as the ultimate Indian supporter of a free Balochistan, the show does manage to keep you on the edge of your seat.. 

This sitcom revolves around a kooky teacher, Jess (Zooey Deschanel), after she moves into a Los Angeles loft with three men, Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), and Winston (Lamorne Morris). The show combines comedy and drama elements as the characters, who are in their early thirties, deal with maturing relationships and career choices.

This Netflix show is a 10-episode series and is based on a 1959 book of the same name by Shirley Jackson. The show follows the Crain family – husband, wife, and five kids – as they move into a new mansion. The Haunting of the Hill House is more of a psychological horror series instead of the ghosts-with-funny-make-up. Even though we don’t see many ghosts or spirits here, the storyline creates a deep impact on the viewer that forces them to stay with these characters much after the 10 episodes are over.

Director Suresh Krissna has shown all the best features of Rajinikanth in Annamalai. No movie has ever made dairy farming looks so desirable. Check out other Rajinikanth movies to watch, here.

If you are looking for intelligent and seriously funny satire, then Veep is the show for you. The series, which ended last year, stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer. She plays the role of Vice-President of the United States and the show follows how she and her team attempt to make their mark and leave a legacy without becoming mired in the day-to-day political games that define American politics.

Starring Deepika Padukone, Chhapaak is based on the story of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. The film also stars Vikrant Massey and is directed by Meghna Gulzar of Raazi fame.

Based on author Neil Gaiman’s book of the same, Good Omens is a beautiful TV series that brings together elements of fantasy, comedy, and drama. David Tennant and Michael Sheen star as Aziraphale and Crowley respectively and bring their complicated yet fun relationship to life.

This show follows Nadia, played brilliantly by Natasha Lyonne, a game developer who repeatedly keeps dying and is forced to relive the same night on a loop. Co-written by Amy Poehler, Russian Doll received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations and has also been renewed for a second season.

Euphoria, starring Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, and Jacob Elordi, follows a group of high school students as they deal with drugs, sex, trauma, and social media. The show isn't afraid to get real and personal about the harsh realities of being a teen in 2019. Watch it for the music anf Zendaya’s performance.

Chernobyl recounts the horrific nuclear plant disaster that occurred in the Soviet Union in April 1986. Apart from the explosion itself, the Emmy Award-winning series focuses on the huge clean-up method that was undertaken by the government and its repercussions. Chernobyl holds the distinction of being the highest rated IMdB series of all time.

Based on a real-life story about a series of sexual assault and the investigation that followed, Unbelievable makes for a difficult but important watch. The performances, especially by Kaitlyn Dever, Merritt Wever, and Toni Collette, are so brilliant that you could watch the show for them alone. The mini-series received critical acclaim upon its release. 

Based on chef Julia Child’s My Life in France and Julie Powell’s Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously, the Meryl Streep starrer is laugh-out-loud, sweet and sentimental film about following dreams, chasing after passions and feeling dejected in the process. 

A stand-up, a personal story that at once is emotional and hilarious. Watch Hasan Minhaj serve his very best to you. 

This Malayalam gem is all about cousins finding their footing in the world. Of course, there is also oodles of romance and drama in store. The film features Nivin Pauly, Dulquer Salmaan, Fahadh Faasil, Nazriya among others in pivotal roles. 

Two female cops. Sexual harassment. An emotional drama. An intriguing thriller. If those sentences don't do anything for you, then know that the very talented and versatile Tony Colette stars in the series. Worth every second. 

Creepy stalker meets creepier people in this Netflix show. Its two seasons were met with a lot of warmth. And safe to say that this is sufficiently binge-worthy. Both seasons of You are currently streaming on Netflix. 

Why, what is so great about it, you ask? After all, the American movie came out in 1995, at a time when the visual effects were still jarring and there was nothing subtle about the comedy that was then being written into actioners. And it might even be true that the film has not aged well, especially when looked at it with technical lenses, but it does have that quintessential masala kick that we as Indians have grown to love, thanks to Bollywood. Read more here. 

In this whirlwind of varied emotions, an untitled character deals with the ups and downs of modern day romance and relationships. However, what makes this show different is the quick, sharp wit of its protagonist and creator Phoebe Waller Bridge. 

Dealing with an illness can be hard, especially if that illness is life-threatening. Chances are that if you are making a movie around such a subject, that film would largely be an emotionally draining affair. But can such a feature be sweet, funny and endearing at the same time as well? As writer Will Reiser and filmmaker Jonathan Levine show us in 50/50, that can actually happen. 

Also read | 50/50: An emotional, funny story of survival and hope

What is happening right now in the world is a nightmare, a dream. Something which this Christopher Nolan film deals with deftly. The whole premise of 'hacking' into someone's dream is fascinating to begin with and when you have a great star cast in your kitty as well, things couldn't possibly be better. Leonardo di Caprio, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy among others star. 

Now would be a good time to revisit this animated gem. A fish who forgets, a baby fish finding its place in the bigger scheme of things and above all, the enduring nature of love and hope -- Finding Nemo's repeat value is immense. 

Voot Select’s latest web series Asur is a crime-thriller (with a generous dose of Indian mythology) which stars Arshad Warsi, Barun Sobti, Anupriya Goenka, Riddhi Dogra and Sharib Hashmi among others. What is interesting about Asur is that it is dipping its hands into a lot of things – a dissolving marriage, love, crime, mythology and psychology. To juggle these and simultaneously make a watchable show is a task. Read more here.  

In this unforgettable journey of death and kindness, a son sets out to fulfill his father's wishes to die in the city of his dreams, Varanasi. What happens next forms the crux of the plot. Geetanjali Kulkarni, Adil Hussain star. Read our take on the film here. 

This British comedy movie is based on the book of the same name by the very talented Nick Hornby. Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult feature in pivotal roles. Hugh plays a man-child whose life is turned upside down after the arrival of one young boy and his mother. The film is currently streaming on Netflix. 

In this fantastical dramedy, we follow the life of Matilda --  a young girl blessed with magical powers. Now that everyone is at home, Matilda is perfect for family vieweing because it has elements of the supernatural, comedy and just the right dose of emotions. So go ahead and check it out. You will not be disappointed. 

Yes, South Korea is popular for its K dramas. But Korean dramas have other things to offer as well. Take for instance, the show Kingdom. It has zombies, gore and the thrill.  A perfect watch. 

Also read | Kingdom Season 2 review

This Fahadh Faasil starrer is a psychological drama which follows the life of a motivational speaker, who also happens to be an atheist.  Anwar Rasheed has written and directed this movie. Gautham Menon, Nazriya Nazim, Soubin Shahir also star. For more details, click here.