If you’ve been in Saudi Arabia or the UAE for a while, you already know one universal truth—where there’s a group of South Indian expats, there’s a mini-cinema vibe happening. It could be in a labour camp, a swanky flat in Dubai Marina, or even a tea stall corner where people argue about who’s the bigger superstar—Rajinikanth, Vijay, or Fahadh Faasil. But here’s the twist, before the OTT boom, most people had just one magical (and very shady) solution: Moviesda.
So, what is Moviesda? Think of it as the “pirated Netflix” your cousin probably whispered about in a WhatsApp group. It became legendary because:
It dropped Tamil and Malayalam movies faster than theatres did sometimes.
It worked perfectly on mobile phones (which is basically lifeline #1 for every Gulf expat).
And, of course, it was free—a word that hits differently when you’re trying to save dirhams or riyals.
For years, Moviesda was like that one friend who always has the latest song on a pen drive. But let’s be honest, it was also illegal, risky, and could land you with malware or, worse, fines (and trust me, Gulf countries don’t play around with cyber laws).
So the million-dirham question became: “How do we watch our favorite South movies without looking over our shoulder?”
Luckily, today you don’t have to sneak around the dark alleys of the internet to watch your favourite masala entertainer. There are plenty of legal streaming platforms that not only keep you safe but also deliver better quality. And hey, they come with subtitles too, so even your Arab roomie can finally understand why Allu Arjun is doing that slow-mo walk.
Here’s your ultimate cheat sheet:
If you’re from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra, or Karnataka, this is basically ghar ka khana. It’s all about South Indian content, movies, serials, comedy shows, even live TV. Your mom in Coimbatore is probably watching the same serial on Sun NXT that you’re watching in Riyadh. Instant connection!
Don’t be fooled by the name; it’s not just about Bollywood item numbers. Eros Now is loaded with Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam films. The subscription is cheaper than a shawarma plate (about AED 12), and the quality is way better than any pirated print.
This one’s like that cool kid in class who’s into everything, Bollywood, K-dramas, Filipino shows, and yes, plenty of South Indian films too. Plus, it has both free and premium tiers, so you can choose depending on whether your salary has hit your account or not.
Spuul has been around forever and is super underrated. It’s global, it’s simple, and it has a decent library of regional Indian films. Works perfectly when you just want to binge old Tamil comedies after work.
Another underrated gem. From Tamil and Telugu films to devotional content (yes, even your mom’s bhajan fix is covered), ShemarooMe is like the desi buffet of streaming apps.
Now this one hardly needs an intro. Prime Video is the Gulf’s go-to OTT for South Indian blockbusters. From Fahadh Faasil thrillers to Prabhas action epics, they get streaming rights to a lot of the big releases. Plus, the subscription costs less than two karak teas and samosas at your local cafeteria.
Both are solid options if you’re hunting for fresh Telugu, Malayalam, or Kannada releases. They often drop films just a few weeks after theatres. Pro tip: many Gulf expats use Indian phone numbers to sign up, it works like a charm.
Okay, so we get it, piracy was the shortcut. But watching on legit platforms has its own flex:
No more buffering or sketchy pop-ups about “winning an iPhone.”
Crisp HD quality (yes, you can finally see every bead of sweat on Vijay Sethupathi’s forehead).
Subtitles for your non-desi friends.
And most importantly, you’re actually supporting the film industry back home.
Moviesda may have been the guilty pleasure of an entire generation of expats in Saudi and the UAE, but the game has changed. With Sun NXT, Prime Video, Eros Now, and others, you now have a buffet of legit choices at your fingertips.
So next weekend, instead of hunting for a sketchy download link, grab some karak chai, put on your lungi (optional but highly recommended), and stream your favorite movie guilt-free.
Because let’s face it, watching Rajinikanth punch 15 villains in slow motion just feels better when it’s in crystal-clear HD and not through a pixelated print that looks like it was shot on a Nokia 6600.
Also read 10 places to visit in Dammam, Saudi Arabia on weekends – alksanews.com/ksa-news/10-fun-things-indians-can-do-in-dammam-on-weekends-with-family/
