By Antony Varghese Starrer ‘Daveed’ Gears Up for OTT Debut: When and Where to Watch the Intense Boxing Drama Online
Antony Varghese’s action-packed drama Daveed, directed by debutant Govind Vishnu, is gearing up for its digital premiere. After hitting the big screens on February 14 and receiving a decent response from audiences, the film is all set to begin streaming on ZEE5 starting April 18, according to OTT Play. The movie, which blends sports drama with emotional depth, has already created anticipation among fans awaiting its OTT release.
Set against the gritty and emotional backdrop of boxing, Daveed sees Antony Varghese portraying the role of Aashiq Abu, a boxer whose life is as intense outside the ring as it is within. To bring authenticity to the character, Antony underwent rigorous physical training and reportedly shed a significant amount of weight. His dedication to the role is evident in his compelling performance, which has been one of the standout highlights of the film and a major talking point among audiences.
Director Govind Vishnu has managed to strike a balanced tone in Daveed, blending action, family dynamics, and humor seamlessly. Rather than focusing solely on boxing and adrenaline-driven sequences, the film delves into the personal journey of its protagonist, exploring the emotional highs and lows that come with his struggles. It presents a nuanced look at the challenges faced by athletes, both in their professional and personal lives.
Lijomol Jose stars opposite Antony Varghese and delivers a graceful and emotionally grounded performance as the female lead. The film also boasts a strong supporting cast that includes renowned actors like Vijayaraghavan, Saiju Kurup, Kichu Tellus, Aju Varghese, Jess Kuku, and Vineeth Tattile. Each of them brings authenticity and depth to their characters, contributing to the emotional richness of the narrative. A notable addition to the ensemble is Egyptian actor Mo Ismail, who plays Sainul Akhmadov, a fierce international boxer. His performance adds a global flavor to the narrative and elevates the film’s intensity, especially during the high-stakes boxing sequences.
Another standout performance comes from veteran actor Vijayaraghavan, who plays Ashan, a character inspired by the real-life boxing coach Puthalath Raghavan. His portrayal is grounded and believable, lending credibility to the story’s emotional core. Child actor Jess Sweejan, who plays Abu’s daughter, also garners praise for her natural and heartwarming performance that adds an emotional anchor to the film.
The screenplay, co-written by Govind Vishnu and Deepu Rajeev, keeps the audience engaged through its mix of drama, action, sentiment, and subtle humor. It provides enough depth for the characters while also delivering entertaining sequences in the boxing ring. Though the film is not without its flaws, such as some pacing issues and predictable moments, the well-executed emotional beats and adrenaline-pumping fights make it a compelling watch for viewers who enjoy sports dramas with substance.
In its review, ETimes gave Daveed a solid rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. The review particularly commended Antony Varghese’s portrayal of Abu, noting that his character’s inner conflicts may be hard to sympathize with, but the performance itself is stellar. Lijomol Jose, meanwhile, was praised for carrying her role with subtlety and poise. Mo Ismail was described as convincing in his role as the intimidating opponent, and the overall cast was recognized for adding layers of authenticity to the story.
The film also sneaks in a humorous nod to its titular character’s name, Aashiq Abu—a deliberate tribute by the director to one of his favorite filmmakers, director Aashiq Abu. In a tongue-in-cheek moment, a character in the film reads a headline saying, “Did you see what director Aashiq Abu did?”, playfully blurring the line between fiction and real-life references in a moment that adds meta-humor to the story.
Daveed stands out for its ambitious scale, heartfelt storytelling, and strong performances. As it makes its OTT debut on ZEE5, viewers who missed it in theatres now have the chance to experience a gripping journey of perseverance, grit, and redemption from the comfort of their homes.
