A Dose of Pop Culture for the Week of Jan 30

WATCH: Cheekatilo

Sobhita Dhulipala-starrer Cheekatilo is a 2026 Telugu crime thriller that premiered on Prime Video on Jan 23, marking a high-profile OTT release. Directed by Sharan Koppisetty and produced by D. Suresh Babu under the Suresh Productions banner, the film stars Sobhita as Sandhya, a true-crime podcaster driven by a relentless pursuit of truth.

Set in Hyderabad, Cheekatilo follows Sandhya after the mysterious death of her intern propels her into a chilling investigation that unravels a series of brutal crimes hidden beneath the city’s surface. Using her podcast as both a tool and a voice, she navigates moral dilemmas and her own unresolved trauma while confronting deeply disturbing patterns of violence. Though intentions to explore resilience, patriarchy, and the ethics of crime reportage are clear, critics note the narrative leans on genre conventions and familiar beats, with mixed responses to its suspense and execution.

READ: The Swan’s Daughter

Roshani Chokshi’s young adult fantasy novel, The Swan’s Daughter released in January 2026. Set on the cursed Isle of Malys, the story follows Prince Arris, who is doomed by a poorly worded wish: Whoever marries him will murder him the next day, a fate shared by all his ancestors. To break the cycle, Arris’s parents host a tournament of brides to find a partner whose love might be true enough to save his life.

Enter Demelza, a “veritas swan” whose magical song forces truth from anyone who hears it. Disguised and hiding from her controlling father, she strikes a deal with Arris – protection in exchange for her truth-telling power to help him discern which suitors are genuinely sincere. Chokshi’s lush prose and inventive worldbuilding infuse classic fairy-tale tropes with fresh energy, exploring bravery, identity and the risk of choosing love when every heart is dangerous.

WATCH: Border 2 

Border 2 is a 2026 Hindi epic war film directed by Anurag Singh and released theatrically on Jan 23, timed for the Republic Day weekend. It serves as a standalone sequel to the 1997 classic Border, revisiting the India-Pakistan conflict of 1971 with a broader, multi-front narrative depicting battles on land, in the air and at sea. The ensemble cast is led by Sunny Deol, with Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty in key roles, supported by Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana.

The film includes action sequences as well as emotional beats of brotherhood, duty and sacrifice, capturing camaraderie among soldiers. Critics have highlighted strong performances and rousing patriotism, even as opinions differ on pacing and visual effects. Commercially, Border 2 has been a major box office success, grossing over Rs100 crores worldwide in its opening days. 

Sobhita Dhulipala as Sandhya in Cheekatilo.

Photo: Amazon Prime