after a long wait of over a year, the malayalam film nadikar, starring tovino thomas and bhavana, is finally streaming online. the film premiered on ott platform saina play from midnight on august 8, 2025, giving viewers a chance to reassess the story beyond its theatrical run.
background and theatrical run
nadikar, directed by lal jr. and written by suvin s. somasekharan, was released in theatres on may 3, 2024. the film centres on david padikkal (played by tovino thomas), a superstar facing a career crisis. he seeks redemption by working with an acting coach, played by soubin shahir. bhavana plays his former partner, adding emotional depth to the narrative. the ensemble also includes divya pillai, serush krishna, and balu varghese .
despite its ambitious premise and cast, nadikar failed to connect with audiences in theatres and was declared a box office flop .
why the ott release was delayed
the film’s digital life was uncertain. initial reports had suggested a release on platforms like netflix in late 2024, but those plans fell through . for months, fans wondered when the film would finally arrive online.
saina play steps in
the breakthrough came in mid-2025 when saina play, a regional ott platform, secured exclusive rights to stream nadikar. the platform confirmed via social media that the film would launch at 12 am on august 8, 2025, across multiple languages including malayalam, tamil, telugu, and hindi .
this platform is known for focusing on malayalam cinema content, making it a fitting home for the film’s digital debut .
what this means for the film
this ott release grants nadikar a second life. although it struggled at the box office, streaming may allow audiences to connect with its narrative on a more introspective level. industry watchers note that films with polarizing receptions often find more sympathetic audiences online, where expectations differ from theatrical norms.
as noted in trade reports, a film like nadikar—with a reflective theme on stardom and failure—might benefit from the more exploratory viewing habits of streamers .
fan reaction & anticipation
on social media and in forums like reddit, fans expressed both relief and curiosity about finally being able to watch nadikar. some remarked that the film deserved a second opportunity to shine, while others lamented that it took over a year to reach viewers outside the theatres .
conclusion
nadikar’s arrival on saina play marks a crucial moment for the film and its creators. the long-delayed ott release offers a fresh opportunity for audiences to judge its performances, themes, and storytelling without the pressure of theatrical expectations. whether it now earns admiration retrospectively or becomes a cult watch remains to be seen—but its digital debut ensures the conversation continues.