Nothing about the entertainment industry was predictable or cliched in 2021 as filmmakers and storytellers moved beyond tired narratives to explore new milieus, themes and issues. Here are some of our favourites that ruled the OTT space this year.1. 200 Hallo Ho: This Sarthak Dasgupta directorial and Yoodlee production bravely mainstreamed a story about caste-based atrocities, the denial of justice and the inevitable retribution that follows when hundreds of Dalit survivors strike a blow to avenge the systematic suppression of their pain and violation. Inspired by true events, this ZEE5 original slow burns to reach a moment of cathartic explosion when 200 women take law into their own hands to respond to centuries of erasure. Starring Amol Palekar, Rinku Rajguru, Barun Sobti and others, the film equated Dalit identity with power and not just victimhood and reminded us why we must tell and hear more such stories. 2. Jai Bhim: This Jyothika and Suriya production will go down in history as one of the most important films about Dalit rights. The Tamil legal drama is directed by T. J. Gnanavel and stars Suriya and Lijomol Jose with K. Manikandan, Rajisha Vijayan, Prakash Raj, Rao Ramesh and others. Like ‘200 Hallo Ho’, this film too is based on a true incident and recounts how in1993, Justice K. Chandru, fought relentlessly to get justice for Senggeni and Rajakannu. The lives of this tribal couple are forever changed when Rajakannu is first arrested and then goes missing from police custody. What follows next is wrenching and eye-opening. ‘Jai Bhim’ also became the first Indian film to top the IMDb ratings .
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