Monday, 9 March 2026

#26. The Audience Verdict: Accused vs Roslin

Same day, two releases, two verdicts, absolute opposite.

I am your audience. I give you my energy and my time to make your content visible and viable. Two OTT releases recently caught my attention — one was a disaster, the other was worth every minute. The audience's verdict is never a passing phase. It determines whether your content stays or becomes one.

Accused — Netflix | 27 February 2026

Directed by Anubhuti Kashyap and produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, Accused released on Netflix starring one of the finest actors in the industry — Konkona Sen Sharma, our KOKO. And that, sadly, was the biggest disappointment of all.

KOKO has given us award-winning performances in Goynar Baksho, 15 Park Avenue, Wake Up Sid, Iti Mrinalini, and so much more. As a Bengali, watching her in this was genuinely heart-breaking.

The disappointment didn't stop there. Mr. Karan Johar has always championed new talent — but backing people who still have a lot to learn, on a platform as premium as Netflix, raises a real question: have you forgotten that you are catering to an audience with an intellect? A foreign hospital setting, a high-profile protagonist offered the position of Dean, and designer costumes cannot pull viewers in when the story isn't there.

Anubhuti, you truly gave me a terrible anubhuti. Before your next attempt — know this: the story is the master. You got the story wrong. Blending Indian masalas with Italian spices takes a very different level of perception and craft. I sat through the entire film for KOKO — waiting for one more frame, one more chance for her to shine. It never came. And the closing scene's attempt at philosophy was the final, unnecessary stumble.

Madam, you have an audience that waits for your next release. Choose wisely. Mr. Karan Johar — you have always been among those who keep their audience first. Please remain that filmmaker.


Roslin — Jio Hotstar | 27 February 2026

On the very same day, Jio Hotstar released Roslin — a psychological Malayalam thriller series presented by Drishyam director Jeethu Joseph. Sir, you have maintained your standards and respected your audience. And that respect shows in every frame.

This wasn't just about directorial excellence, a brilliant screenplay, or a beautiful visual layout — though it had all of that. What made Roslin work is the most fundamental thing: the script was treated as the master. Thank you for that.

The story follows a 17-year-old returning to a lush, high-end farmhouse, battling PTSD. An avid reader of thrillers, she begins experiencing nightmares about a green-eyed stalker named Jerry — who then arrives as a paying guest. True to Jeethu Joseph's signature style, the series unfolds layer by layer. The slow-burn narrative holds your attention throughout, the BGMs by Vishu Shyam build tension beautifully, and the final episode delivers an absolutely unexpected plot twist.

Debutant screenwriter Vinayak Sasikumar — this is a masterful first attempt. Congratulations. The experienced cast — Meena, Vineeth, and Hakim as the mysterious guest and inspector — bring quiet depth to every scene. And Sanjana Dipu, at just 17, is a revelation.

But the biggest applause goes to debutant director Sumesh Nandakumar, who has proved something the industry needs to hear again: real content will rule any platform — theatre, OTT, or the big screen. Thank you for respecting your audience. Here's hoping you make it very big.


The Audience Verdict! 


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