Life today is hectic. It is no longer a 9-5 world, and you may find your work life eclipsing your everyday existence. It is thus essential to escape your mundane routine frequently and engulf yourself into the fantastical cinematic universe. With so many OTT platforms, you can choose to watch movies and TV shows of varying genres, be it thrillers, comedies, true crime documentaries, dramas, and so on. Read on to explore a list of the best series on OTT to save you from hours of scrolling.
Best Web Series on OTT
Listed below are some of the most popular old and new series on OTT platforms that you can add to your watch list and binge any time you please.
Panchayat (Amazon Prime Video)
Panchayat is a comedy-drama that gives you an authentic account into the life of typical rural Indian villages. It follows Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar), a young man appointed to the post of the Panchayat secretary in the tiny village of Phulera. The city-bred Abhishek must come to terms with village life and its many challenges – power cuts, water shortage, and pot-hole-ridden roads. Elsewhere, the village folk must embrace the shifting power dynamics. Besides Jitendra Kumar, this best OTT web series boasts exceptional comedic performances by Raghubir Yadav and Neena Gupta.
Stranger Things (Netflix)
An unusual incident starts a chain of events in an otherwise peaceful town which leads to a child’s disappearance. As his mom and a group of friends investigate his whereabouts, a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural powers, and a strange little girl unfolds. The exciting ride that follows forms the plot of Stranger Things, one of the top web series on OTT platform Netflix. This mix-bag of horror-fantasy-thriller features Millie Bobby Brown, Noah Schnapp, and other young talents.
Criminal Justice (Disney+ Hotstar)
Headlined by Pankaj Tripathi, Criminal Justice is one of the best OTT series, which explores the Indian judicial system and the sorry state of Indian prisons. Over the course of three seasons, the show gives insight into how prison life impacts inmates physically and psychologically – whether they are innocent or guilty. While the first season explores life behind bars in toxic male prisons, the second tackles the issue of marital rape and unhygienic female jails. The latest third season explores the impact of juvenile delinquent centres on young adults.
The Family Man (Amazon Prime Video)
The Family Man is an action-packed drama that tells the story of a middle-class man working for a special cell of the National Investigation Agency. Srikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee) is a married man with two kids. He conceals his true professional identity from his family, who assume him to be a regular 9-5 worker. Shrikant’s job is anything but ordinary as he investigates and foils potential terrorist attacks on the homeland. The show is considered one of the best shows on OTT for its high-octane entertainment.
Bridgerton (Netflix)
Set in the backdrop of the Regency era, Bridgeton is a tale of the close-knit siblings of the Bridgerton family. Based on Julia Quinn’s series of romance novels, the show explores the siblings’ journey and their quest for true love. The first two seasons illustrate Daphne and Anthony Bridgerton’s experiences of finding their matches in the social season and marriage market of Regency England. If you like the timeless beauty of ballrooms, colourful costumes, and opulent palaces, this period series will have you begging for more.
Scam 1992 (Sony Liv)
Scam 1992 is based on the man nicknamed the Amitabh Bachchan of the stockbroking world – Harshad Mehta (essayed by Pratik Gandhi). Set in the 1980s and 90s Bombay, the series sheds light on his rise and catastrophic downfall. It takes you through Mehta’s rags-to-riches story – from his younger days to his emergence as the big bull of the Bombay Stock Exchange. The 10-episode biographical crime drama is a gripping, compelling tale, widely considered the best series on OTT to be produced in India.
One Day at A Time (Netflix)
Breathing life into the iconic 1975 sitcom of the same name, One Day at a Time, is the 2017 reboot by Netflix, revolving around a Cuban-American Family. It follows three generations of the Riera/Alvarez family: a divorced army veteran, her teenage daughter and tween son, and her proud Cuban mom. Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado) faces her return to civilian life with PTSD from her military experiences. Meanwhile, her mother reminisces about life before being a Cuban exile, and her children learn what it means to be persons of colour in a predominantly white America.
Rocket Boys (Sony Liv)
An ode to India’s scientific geniuses, Rocket Boys is among the best OTT web series. It chronicles the professional lives of Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha (Jim Sarbh), the architect of India’s nuclear programme and Dr. Vikram Sarabhai (Ishwak Singh), who founded the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Rocket Boys takes you through their journey as they create space history, thus transforming India’s scientific future. The show also portrays Bhabha and Sarabhai’s friendship, struggles, and professional rivalries.
Fleabag (Amazon Prime Video)
A raw, honest, and creative masterpiece, Fleabag is a poignant window into a young single woman’s life. The Award-winning screenplay writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge writes and stars in this dark comedy set in London. She plays the titular character – an unfiltered protagonist trying to cope with life while coming to terms with modern dating, heartache, financial setbacks and loneliness. Waller-Bridge’s dry-witted portrayal as Fleabag makes the show wholly entertaining.
Final Note: With so many classic and new series on OTT platforms, you can binge-watch your favourite shows anytime. But what if we told you that you needn’t bother subscribing to each OTT platform separately or paying high subscription fees? Yes, all you need is a Vi mobile and internet connection to catch your favourite shows on OTT platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Netflix, Zee5, and Sony Liv. Simply subscribe to a Vi post-paid plan worth ₹401 per month to enjoy unlimited access to the best movies, shows, and documentaries on Indian OTT platforms.
Download the Vi mobile app today to binge your favourite OTT web series anytime!
