aha.video
Recently, there's been a surge in streaming movies and TV in India. Sure, the whole world has seen an enormous increase in the popularity of streaming, kicked into gear, of course, by none other than Netflix pivoting its business model from that of mail order DVD rentals to digital streaming. Ever since Netflix became gigantic, it seems as if every other media and entertainment company has been sprinting to try and catch up, introducing their own takes on what a TV and movie streaming site should be.
Nonetheless, the sheer number of options and the overall quality of these services makes India a streaming powerhouse to watch movies from.
India's streaming party, in some ways, though, is just getting started. Hey, it is always better late than never, right? The new generation of movie streaming sites coming out of India right now are absolutely incredible. It's as if these companies are making up for lost time, in a big way! ? Well, some of them, that is. Of course, as is always the case with any digital product or subscription service there is bound to be some variance in quality. Furthermore there will also always be certain streaming sites that simply aren't right for you as a viewer. Nonetheless the sheer number of options and the overall quality of these services makes India a streaming powerhouse to watch movies from.
But don't worry! I'm here to help you with all of your streaming site needs. In fact, this is why I write movie streaming site reviews- so that you don't have to waste any time, energy, or money auditioning every new movie streaming site that comes out of the woodwork. My goal is to provide a convenient and useful resource for you both to discover and learn everything there is to know about the best movie streaming sites (and, as you may have noticed from my other site reviews, every kind of streaming site there is).
That being said, today we are taking a look at one of India's newest movie streaming sites to hit the scene. Although Aha is only a year old, it has generated a huge amount of buzz and hype. It may be attributable to the fact that Aha was the brainchild of one of the most prominent producers in Telugu cinema, Allu Aravind, who was able to put all of his connections and wealth behind the site. Or maybe Aha's sudden rise to prominence as one of the best movie streaming sites in India can be attributed to something simpler: that it is a high-quality site with a ton of in-demand Telugu films and top-notch original content.
I think that, when you boil it down, that is what is missing from most Indian movie streaming sites: exclusive, original films. This is a trick borrowed from Netflix - the originators of high-quality, critically acclaimed original content produced by a streaming site - and, in my opinion, in order to be competitive in the highly competitive global arena of movie streaming platforms, original content is a necessity.
For anyone looking to compete with the giants of movie streaming, great original content isn't enough. You also need a good variety of classics, fan favorites, and syndicated films to help you stand out. A new streamer can't rely on original content alone to succeed!
HBO Max, a streaming site from HBO, offers content from other production studios as well.
And, at first glance, it seems like Aha has both of the critical boxes ticked-meaning that it has the potential to be a deserving site on this list of the best movie streaming sites ever. But is Aha the right movie streaming site for you? Let's dive in and find out, shall we?
History
According to reports, Tollywood production extraordinaire, Allu Aravind, developed a binge-watching habit on other streaming sites. This prompted him to start his own streaming service that broadcasts Telugu content only. Although there are several Telugu movie streaming sites out there, there was not what could be rightfully called the Telugu Netflix until Aha was created.
There wasn't a lot of choice when it came to premium movie streaming sites for the Telugu speaking world, so Aravind probably had his Aha! moment.
So, after floating the idea of a Telugu streaming service to his family, they suggested that he link up with famed businessman Rameswar Rao Jupally who joined on as a partner in the business. Aha officially launched on January 25th, 2020. Today, Ajit Thakur sits at the helm of Aha, fielding the day-to-day matters of the business.
Design
It seems as if comparisons to Netflix are inevitable with most premium movie streaming sites. And Aha is no exception. Aiding to the parallel, though, is the fact that Aha's site design, interface, and layout is, essentially, identical to that of Netflix- just with a slightly different style and flavor.
As usual, you'll find the site menu bar at the top of the page. This is where you can browse all of Aha in the broadest terms. Navigate the site by Movies, Shows, and Genres (dropdown: action, comedy, crime, etc.). You can also switch the language of the site (Telugu and English are currently the only options, surprisingly) or access the search bar in case you want to search for one movie in particular.
Upon opening the streaming site, you will be met with a large banner featuring recommendations and titles. This is similar to how movie theaters present posters before the movie starts. From here, the rest of the site unfolds in a traditional way - a long series of categories with horizontal menus for easy browsing. The site is very user-friendly and intuitive, as it is similar to other sites users are used to.
Content and Features
I already covered that Aha blends both original movies with popular Telugu favorites ? but the main thing about Aha's content is that it's all 100% Telugu content. You won't find anything in Hindi, English, Malayalam, etc., which is great for Telugu speakers (there aren't many movie streaming sites specifically for the language), but it's unfortunate for everyone else in India and abroad. So, if you aren't fluent in Telugu (or at least learning the language), this might not be the best movie streaming site for you.
Aside from the usual features like ad-free content, the ability to watch offline, and the ability to stream simultaneously across several devices, Aha doesn't have anything groundbreaking to offer.
One thing that I noticed is that, unlike most other premium movie streaming sites, Aha does have a small selection of free movies that you can watch without providing an email address. So, if you're interested in giving Aha a try and aren't ready to commit to a plan, check out their free movies section first for a taste of what to expect.
Mobile and Desktop Experience
Aha does have a decent cross-platform list of compatible devices. Their apps are available on both iOS and Android devices - they are every bit as well-designed as the site itself. Plus, Aha is available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV.
Pricings and Plans
Aha offers two membership plans, both with a price difference depending on whether you would prefer to pay per month or pay for a year upfront. The monthly price for Aha members is $7.99. If you want to save some money, though, you can pay $34.99 for a full year of Aha, making it one of the most affordable premium movie streaming sites on the market.
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