The Cinemawala

The year 2022 has finally come to an end. And along with it, also comes the end of a year where the meaning of entertainment went through a paradigm shift. The rising popularity of web shows on OTT channels from the previous year was the indicator that web shows are here to stay. This year, the web shows were even better, perhaps more entertaining than the films. Looking at the audience’s preferences in the last couple of years, many OTT platforms, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Sony Liv have invested heavily in creating high-quality, original content that is exclusive to their platforms. This has led to a proliferation of critically acclaimed and popular shows. With more complex and nuanced storytelling, there is a deeper exploration of characters and their motivations, as well as more intricate and multi-faceted plots that keep the audience engaged.

Here are the top web shows of the year 2022 –

10. Guilty Minds – Season 1

Amazon Prime’s ‘Guilty Minds’ is an interesting legal drama that chooses not to unnecessarily heighten the emotional aspects usually shown during the court proceedings in other shows. The show revolves around two lawyers who represent two different sides – one is full of ideology and the other is all about business. As their lives gets intertwined with various cases, they realise that not everything can be measured in the terms of white vs black. While the central premise of the show is a complex case that has both lawyers involved in some capacity, it’s the regular court cases that makes the show immensely watchable with their uniqueness. Led by Shriya Pilgaonkar and Varun Mitra, this is highly recommended.

9. Tripling – Season 3

The troika of Chandan, Chanchal and Chitvan is back! The show follows the lives of three siblings as they embark on a road trip together, encountering various challenges and hilarious situations along the way. But this time, it’s time to come back to home! The third season takes the already-beloved characters on an emotional journey as they grapple with personal issues and family dynamics. The writing is poignant yet clever, keeping the humour and emotion in balance. The ensemble cast is incredibly talented, with each character bringing their own unique charm to the show. ‘Tripling – Season 3’ a watch if you’re in need of a heartwarming and humorous escape.

8. Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen – Season 1

‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen’ on Netflix is a thrilling Indian crime drama that tells the story of a man taking the path to crime, after relentlessly pursued by a politician’s daughter. The show is full of twists and turns and keeps you guessing until the very end. The cinematography is also impressive, with beautiful shots of the village going all along to the stunning views of Laddakh and its landmarks. Led by Tahir Raj Bhasin, Shweta Tripathy and Aanchal Singh, the 1st season ends in a cliffhanger, leaving the viewer wait for the next season with huge anticipation.

7. Maharani – Season 2

If the first season established Rani Bharati as the queen bee of the politics, the second season has the knives out for her, as all her detractors come together! ‘Maharani’ on Sony Liv is superb show that acutely describes the volatility of politics in the heartlands of Bihar. Huma Qureshi plays a brilliant Rani Bharati who struggles to balance herself between the roles of a chief minister devoted to her public and the woman answerable to her family. Here the ensemble cast led by Amit Sial plays a huge part to make the show a grand success.

6. Khakee – The Bihar Chapter

Adapted from the book ‘Bihar Diaries’, the Netflix show ‘Khakee – The Bihar Chapter’ has an intense and gripping storyline. The show follows Amit Lodha, a young officer posted in Bihar as he along with his team embarks on a mission to apprehend a dangerous criminal in the state of Bihar. Led by Karan Tacker and Avinash Tiwary, who play the game of cat and mouse, Ashutosh Rana, Abhimanyu Singh and Jatin Sarna are superb in this show. While the acting is top-notch, the show also tackles important social issues such as casteism, corruption, police brutality in a thoughtful and nuanced way. ‘Khakee – The Bihar Chapter’ is highly recommended to anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking watch. And who can forget the epic song that plays at the beginning of the show – Aaiye na humra Bihar Main!

5. Suzhal – The Vortex

‘Suzhal – The Vortex’ on Amazon Prime is a gritty show that takes the audience through a labyrynthic tale of murder, mystery and mayhem. Each episodes of the show ends on a cliffhanger, brilliantly misguiding the viewer about its premise. Set on a sleepy town that wakes up to a fire in the factory that soon becomes embroiled in search of a missing girl. As the investigating officer starts to look deeper into the case, it becomes quite evident that everyone in the town has a secret in their cupboard. Directed by Pushkar – Gayatri, one of the best shows of this year.

4. Delhi Crime – Season 2

The second season of ‘Delhi Crime’ on Netflix, is a gripping crime drama that follows the investigation of series of heinous murders in the capital city of India. The show is well-acted and well-written, with a strong attention to detail and a compelling storyline. The ensemble cast led by Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugan, Tillotoma Shome and Rajesh Tailang does an excellent job of bringing their characters to life, and the cinematography and production values are top-notch.It’s a must-watch for fans of the genre and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

3. Rocket Boys – Season 1

‘Rocket Boys’ on Sony Liv tells the untold story of India’s tryst to become a country enriched with Nuclear and space program and how its two cornerstones – Dr Homi Bhabha and Dr Vikram Sarabhai established it from the grassroots. This is a period drama, that takes the audience through the past of a country that was struggling to set its feet up, post independence. Thanks to these two extraordinary physicists, it stood up and counter punched to the countless detractors. Jim Sarbh, Ishwak Singh light the screen on fire with their epic camaraderie and brilliant acting.

2. Gullak – Season 3

‘Gullak’ on Sony Liv has been a pathbreaking show that tells the story of a lower middle class family, trying to survive through their daily trysts of issues and problems. The previous two seasons were hugely appreciated by the audience. The third season takes the series a notch higher. With superlative performances from the ensemble cast, the story of the Mishra family keeps you smiling throughout the show with the occasional lump in the throat, making your eyes moist in the process.

1. Panchayat – Season 2

The best part of ‘Panchayat’ is its honest attempt to portray the lives of rural India, without an iota of pretense. The first season introduced us all to the quirky characters of the Phulera gram panchayat. The second season takes us further into their lives and the intricacies of complications. The panchayat office, led by the Pradhan, Pradhan-Patni, Up-Pradhan and Sahayak are forced to fight new enemies who threaten their hold over the village. While, the MBA aspirant Sachivji seems to have fallen in love with the village but the amenities of the modern affluent life still calls him from afar. Family, moral dilemma, tiffs, conspiracies, friendship and death – the second season of ‘Panchayat’ touches every aspect of life that has the ability to either make or break a man.