While a good chunk of 2020 sucked, we all were hooked to a gripping series midst tedious meetings or classes. As we reach towards the end of this unforgettable year, it’s time to make some revelations.
We have gathered together 10 web series from Indian creators who ensured to make your lockdown a little more bearable. Starting from number 10, here’s a list of the top 10 web series from 2020:
10. The Gone Game
Available on: Voot
Cast: Sanjay Kapoor, Shweta Tripathi, Arjun Mathur, Rukhsar Rehman, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and Shriya Pilgaonkar
One thing which sets apart this psychological thriller was that it was shot entirely within the confines of homes. The plot runs parallel to the contemporary global crisis of covid-19. Directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat, the web series sets a perfect murder mystery plot in the early days of lockdown.
The Gone Game will definitely be looked upon, encapsulated in a time when the entire human race came to halt. The web series certainly has come out as a genre of an audio-visual artform which was born out of global calamity.
9. Abhay 2
Available on: ZEE5
Cast: Kunal Khemu, Sandeepa Dhar, Elnaaz Norouzi, Asha Negi, Ram Kapoor, Nidhi Singh, Chunky Pandey, Raghav Juyal, Asheema Vadaan, and Bidita Bag
The storyline of season 2 of the web series begins one year after the events of season 1. Kunal Khemu, as in season 1, is seen in the role of a dotting police officer Abhay Pratap Singh who very well understands the criminal psyche. Ram Kapoor, contrary to his on screens portrayal of a charming family man, is the main antagonist of this crime thriller.
Each episode of the web series levels up the intriguing factor and keeps the audience gripped to the very end. The execution of the series fast-paced and sharply crafted.
8. Panchayat
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, and Biswapati Sarkar
Panchayat is a comedy-drama series based on the experiences of a young man who has landed up in a dead-end job in village panchayat. Humour pours in from all sides in this rustic comedy while underlining the cruel realities of society and gender roles. It manages to encompass the corrupted functioning of a village panchayat and a frustrated youngster (Jitender Kumar), who gets trapped in this tedious government job.
What stands apart is the character of Neena Gupta, who is elected pradhan of the village. The irony is her power and position is only limited to the official paper, the real power lies with his husband. Ignorant of her social positionality, Neena Gupta’s character highlights the gender disparities and situatedness in a most light-hearted yet impactful manner.
7. Special OPS
Available on: Disney Plus Hotstar
Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Karan Tacker, Saiyami Kher, Meher Vij, Vinay Pathak, and Sana Khan
Inspired by real-life incidents of RAW, Special runs in a neat sequential manner and keeps on making shocking revelations as the plot progresses.
This keeps the audience glued to their screens. Carefully crafted characters shined in their respective roles. Even though Special Ops received surpassing feedback from the audience, critics, however, expected a little more from Neeraj Pandey.
6. Mirzapur 2
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyenndu, Shweta Tripathi Sharma, and Rasika Dugal
The sequel of Mirzapur was much awaited by the fans of one of the best-crafted web series. The story of season 2 picks up right where the season 1 ended. The power play to become the king of Mirzapur gets more entangled with familial relationships and consequences of bloodshed and violence.
Shweta Tripathi’s role as Golu is respite amongst the testosterone generated male rivalry. Excellent cast and execution were a win-win for the makers and the viewers. Mirzapur 2 definitely brought a brief moment of escape for the fans from the chaos of current happenings.
5. Aarya
Available on: Disney+ Hotstar
Cast: Sushmita Sen, Chandrachur Singh, and Sikander Kher
Well, if this was the script Sushmita Sen was waiting for, then her fans are ready to overlook her absence for years. A strong-willed woman that Sen herself has proved to be, she did complete justice to the role of Arya. After the death of her husband, drug business falls in her hand.
She gracefully paves her way through the dark world of violence, treachery and the Russian Mafia, while protecting her family. The layers of characters and their own ventures in the sideline make the plot engrossing for the audience. The web series is directed by Ram Madhvani (Neerja), Sandeep Modi and Vinod Rawat.
4. Bandish Bandits
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Atul Kulkarni, Rajesh Tailang, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Sheeba Chaddha, Amit Mistry, Ritwik Bhowmik, Shreya Chaudhry, Tridha Choudhary, and Rahul Kumar
Shot in beautiful locations of Rajasthan and Mumbai, Bandish Bandits is a treat filled with vibrant colours and tasteful music. The web series runs at the cusp of contemporary millennial and veteran lifestyles.
We see a variety of characters and cultural references as we indulge in the narrative. It also lightly brushes upon issues of misogyny and women participation. Without a doubt, Bandish Bandits is a refreshing experimental watch of 2020.
3. Asur
Available on: Voot
Cast: Arshad Warsi, Barun Sobti, Anupria Goenka, Sharib Hashmi, and Ridhi Dogra
Asur is the tale of a vicious serial killer. At the beginning of each episode, the audience is given a peek into the formative years of the serial killer; hence, joining the dot with his present personality. The web series also addresses the less talked upon issues of the Indian society.
It reflects upon the world of dharma and spirituality as the main contributing factor of contemporary upheavals. It also takes up the issue of toxic-parenthood and its normative place in our ignorant society. It is a philosophical stance on the righteousness of good vs evil.
2. Paatal Lok
Available on: Amazon Prime Video
Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Neeraj Kabi, Gul Panag, Ishwak Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Swastika Mukherjee, and Niharika Lyra Dutt
A breathtaking crime story, Paatal Lok renewed the spirit of Indian web entertainment. The plot, just like Scared Games, has a mythological intervention. Yet, it beams out as a refreshing watch for the Indian audience. The web series manages to veer away from contemporary crime storytelling.
The story beautifully captures the corruptness and wickedness of the capital which even the dwellers are unaware of. Remarkable performances by Jaideep Ahlawat makes his character one of the most memorable ones. The web series, directed by Avinash Arun, and Prosit Roy, gives an unforgettable experience to the viewers.
1. Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story
Available on: SonyLIV
Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Sharib Hashmi, and Ananth Mahadevan
The series, set in a time when India was embarking on its journey in Global market, serves as a refreshing watch to the audience. It is curated with the perfect recipe of money, ambition and power.
The web is the perfect rags-to-riches story. Was Harshad a criminal, or a victim, or both? The series lets you decide. A 10-episode watch, Scam 1992 is the ideal show to end your 2020.
2020 was hardly in anyone’s favour. But the commendable slate of web series from some of the best minds surely made the audience escape the real world, even if for a little while.
Also Read: Top 10 International web series of 2020