While India's many film and television
industries still cater to conservative tastes and censors, the country's online
creators are free to change the game however they please. As a result, some of
the most progressive watchable stories in the country are free, snackable, and
available to everyone with an internet connection. The web shows below explore
topics as varied as premarital cohabitation, gay rights, and Mumbai's
burgeoning hip-hop culture.
1. Permanent Roommates
The series follows the story of a couple who have been in a long
distance relationship for the past three years and now when they finally meet,
the prospect of marriage awaits them.
TVF has done a fantastic job tapping into the audience’s mind while exploring
the nitty-gritty’s of a relationship in the current era and the story doesn’t
seem superficial — you can relate to it too.
2. I Don't Watch TV
It follows the life of a TV star whose
career is in jeopardy due to a drunken rant in an after party following an
award show. The series further explores the twisted topsy-turvy world of the
television industry.
3. Hip-Hop Homeland
The
series is a documentary-type, in-depth look the rapidly growing underground
hip-hop scene.
4. #LoveBytes
#LoveBytes
follows the story of a couple who’re very much in love and very much living
together too. It chronicles the differences they have due to the different
cultures they come from.
5. Baked
A
complete entertainer—Baked is the story of three Delhi University students
who decide to put their free time to good use and start their a midnight food
delivery service. The web series is shot in various locales of Delhi, and is
quite Delhi Belly-esque.
6. All About Section 377
This
series is aimed at educating the masses of the struggle faced by people from
the LGBT community in the country. The plot follows the life of a straight guy
who lives with two gay guys and how this teaches him a thing or two about the
issues faced by his flatmates in the Indian society.
7. A.I.SHA - My Virtual Girlfriend
Sam
is a 26 year old app developer, who is more or less a genius, but also a loner.
And then one day he creates A.I.SHA, a software armed with artificial
intelligence. Just when he thinks everything will finally be under his control,
he realized that A.I.SHA is beginning to develop a mind of its own.
8. Pitchers
In
case you're planning to take an entrepreneurial plunge or looking to binge
watch something really engaging (and realistic), then TVF is a must watch for
you. The show centers around four friends who begin a start-up, and revolves
around the struggle to make it successful. It's loaded with drama, humour and
portrays the ambitions, struggles of urban Indians. Bonus: it has an amazing
sound track!
9. Girl In The City
It
is a story about a 21-year-old fashion enthusiast who wishes to make a claim in
the fashion industry. The series chronicles her life in the bustling
metropolitan of Mumbai and the struggles she faces in her personal as well as
professional life.
10. Bang Baaja Baaraat
Two
people with very different backgrounds decide to get married after falling in
love. And all hell breaks loose when their extremely different families meet.
11. Alisha
The story follows the life of a fashion
aficionado who is trying to make it big in the fashion industry after moving
back to Mumbai from Los Angeles and her life unfolds into a series of
mysterious events.
Alisha is
our very own desi version of Sherlock. This series by Blush is meant for anyone
who loves mystery novels/movies/tv shows.
12. Chinese Bhasad
Major
Badrinath Tripathi cannot tolerate so much as a Chinese lightbulb, but then his
grandson comes home and says he wants to marry a Chinese woman. Chinese
Bhasad is full of drama, laughter and action. It is an absolute treat to
watch, so don’t miss it.
13. Sinskaari
Sinskaari is an adult
talk show hosted by the Alok Nath, who was made even more famous due to
internet trolls. The host will interview celebrities and ask them their deep
dark secrets on the show.
14. Trippling
Not everyone is
excited about the idea to go on a road trip with siblings...right? But Tripling may
inspire you to go on one and have the time of your life! The show traces the
story of three siblings Chandan, Chanchal and Chitvan on
a road trip, who've their own struggles and fights in their personal lives. The
script is highly relatable and you'll find at least one character
that resembles someone from your social circle. Needless to say, the show will
give you some serious #SiblingGoals.
15. Love Shots
It's a set of six
amusing short films that paint an honest and amusing picture of love. Featuring
actors like Nimrat Kaur, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Saqib Salim, Farida Jalal, Shweta
Tripathi and Rhea Chakraborty, the series traces love in an unconventional way,
across all ages and professions. It comes from Y-Films (youth arm of Yash Raj
films), and promises sweet romantic, refreshing tales.
