The Cinemawala

For me, navigating the cinematic landscape in 2023 posed challenges, primarily due to the convergence of personal hurdles at work and the pressing concern for health issues in family. Juggling professional commitments, the task of unwinding through movies became an arduous endeavor. The constant worry and need for attention towards both spheres of life took precedence over indulging in the cinematic realm, making it a struggle to immerse oneself fully into the enchanting world of movies. However, watching web shows posed no such hinderance. With advent of OTT, we have time on our side so watching them with ample amount of breaks in between, made this list possible. Here’s my top ten Indian web shows, ranked.

‘Bambai Meri Jaan’

“Kaynaat ka nizam hai.. Burai bhi achhai se paida hoti hai..Shaitaan ko bhi allah ne paida kiya tha..

Main toh phir bhi ek baap tha!”

This stunning line summarises the rise and rise of a man who is infamously credited to have changed the landscape of organised crime in Mumbai. Amazon Prime’s new show ‘Bambai Meri Jaan’, is undoubtedly is the biggest tribute to the myth of Dawood Ibrahim, one of India’s most wanted criminals. It is a gripping cinematic adaptation of S Hussain Zaidi’s bestselling book, “Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia,” brought to life with contemporary flair and a stellar cast. This show effortlessly combines crime drama, suspense, and social commentary, making it a compelling watch for both fans of the book and new audiences alike.

‘School Of Lies’

A boy goes missing in an reknowned boarding school. As the hunt begins for the boy, it becomes evident that everyone has something to hide. With each episode, skeletons come tumbling out of closet, making each character’s involvement even more murkier. ‘School Of Lies’ streaming on Disney Hotstar, is a riveting show that explores the morality of human nature, starring Aamir Bashir, Nimrat Kaur, Geetika Vidya Ohlyan in the leading roles.

‘Scam 2003’

After Harshad Mehta, if there’s someone whose brazen crime had held the whole country watch in awe, it was Abdul Karim Telgi. His exploitation of the most unmonitored government department i.e. the stamp paper, resulted in a multi crore scam that had the whole system in turmoil. Hansal Mehta, after the stupendous success of ‘Scam 1992’, comes back as the showrunner with Tushar Hiranandani at the helm with ‘Scam 2003’ on Sony Liv, that tells the rise and fall of Abdul Karim Telgi. Gagan Dev Riar plays Telgi and becomes the man himself who held the whole nation at his mercy.

‘Dahaad’

‘Dahaad’ on Amazon Prime is about missing women who are found dead in public toilets. The show attempts to examine the life of a criminal, who may look like an average joe, with his calm demeanor and seemingly modernistic nature but deep down inside, he harbors a deep rooted hatred for women, which he satiates by deriving sexual pleasure out of them and eventually killing them off, after series of rigorous manipulation. Like a chameleon, he changes his colour, covers his tracks and keeps misleading the police, his family and his acquaintances, until he gets caught by the police. It is a slow burn, investigative police drama that thrives on the social commentary that explores various themes such as gender inequality, casteism, patriarchy, corruption, childhood trauma etc.. through the eyes of its characters.

‘Scoop’

“Scoop” on Netflix delves into the intricate nuances of incarceration through Jigna Vora’s lens, depicting a vivid narrative of her struggles, emotions, and encounters within the prison walls. Vora, a journalist, faced legal battles and found herself entangled in a high-profile case, leading to her imprisonment. The show unravels the human side of the prison system, exploring the camaraderie, conflicts, and resilience among inmates. Hansal Mehta’s storytelling captures the psychological and emotional toll of confinement, offering readers a compelling insight into the complexities of the justice system and the personal journey of survival within its confines. It’s a gripping tale that sheds light on the individual’s fight for dignity, hope, and redemption amid daunting circumstances.

‘Kohrra’

An NRI bridegroom is found dead in a farm. Multiple wounds suggest more than one killer. Soon another dead body turns up and it becomes clear to the two investigating officers, that there’s more to the case than meets the eye. The officers, while navigating personal issues, unearth the reason behind the deaths. In the process, they uncover dark secrets of modern dysfunctional families and to a large extent, about human psyche. Barun Sobti and a fantastic Suvinder Vicky lead this dark investigative drama.

‘Kaala Pani’

‘Kaala Pani’ streaming on Netflix is much more than a survival drama. Set in a future, where a group of tourists get stuck on the Andaman and Nicober islands due to a deadly epidemic that threatens to kill the affected in seven days. Soon the authorities and the doctors face a dillema where they need to choose between sacrificing an indigenous tribe to save the stuck tourists. Using the Covid pandemic as an allegory, the makers of the show focus on the complexities of human behavior in an apocalyptic situation. An effective ensemble cast led by Ashutosh Gowariker, Sukant Goel, Amey Wagh and Vikas Kumar, ‘Kaala Pani’ is a riveting watch.

‘Farzi’

‘Farzi’ a crime drama based on counterfeiting, created by Raj and DK. Two losers, heckled and beaten by the system, decide to make money by creating the counterfeit currency notes. The show explores the various reasons how the society forces a man to become a criminal. It also explains the whole process of counterfeiting and how it can cripple a country’s economic ecosystem. Led by Shahid Kapoor, Vijay Sethupati and Kay Kay Menon, ‘Farzi’ is an engaging show.

‘Trial By Fire’

The Upahar Cinema hall tragedy occurred on June 13, 1997, in Delhi, India. A fire broke out during the screening of the movie “Border,” leading to the deaths of 59 people due to suffocation and burns. Investigations revealed several safety violations, including the blockage of exits, inadequate fire safety measures, and the use of substandard materials in the construction of the cinema.

The legal proceedings lasted for years and despite several legal hurdles caused by the accused party, eventually the Supreme Court of India upheld the convictions but ordered a reduced sentence. ‘Trial By Fire’ is the story of Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, who lost their children in the blazing inferno of Upahar tragedy and fought the long legal battle with the Ansals, the owner of the cinema. Starring Abhay Deol and Rajshree Deshpande, ‘Trial By Fire’ will break you from inside.

‘Jubilee’

Amazon Prime’s ‘Jubilee’ is an ode to the undying love for cinema. It tells the story of a bygone era and of people who used to live and breathe movies. It weaves history with fiction to craft a tale where passion displaces ideologies, ambition tramples moralities and as it always happens, love gets left behind, in the race of life. ‘Jubilee’ shows the razzmatazz of a film studio, takes you to its intoxicating highs and its lowest of lows, the blockbusters, the failures, the debaucheries, the betrayals, the heartbreaks and at the end, leaves you with several what ifs, bringing lumps to the throat. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and led by a brilliant ensemble cast, ‘Jubilee’ is the web show of the year 2023.