In 2024, as in previous years, audiences experienced a mix of triumphs and challenges, both in theatres and on over-the-top (OTT) platforms. Nevertheless, the year offered a wealth of content to indulge in. Here, we present a selection of the finest web series from 2024, encompassing various genres, platforms, and emotional tones.

Poacher - Available on Prime Video

Alia Bhatt's involvement in a crime drama ensured that the project would possess significant depth. Produced under her banner, Eternal Sunshine Productions, this Malayalam miniseries was directed by Richie Mehta, renowned for his work on the International Emmy Award-winning series Delhi Crime (2019). Featuring a talented cast that includes Roshan Mathew, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Kani Kusruti, and Nimisha Sajayan, the eight-episode series delivers a compelling storyline centred on the ivory poaching trade in the forests of Kerala.

Heeramandi: The Diamond Market - Netflix

Sanjay Leela Bhansali's foray into long-form storytelling commands attention. This eight-episode period drama explores the intricate internal dynamics of the tawaifs in Heeramandi, Lahore, during the 1940s, set against the backdrop of India's struggle for independence. The cast features familiar faces from Bhansali's previous works, including Manisha Koirala, Richa Chadha, and Aditi Rao Hydari, alongside Sonakshi Sinha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Farida Jalal, Fardeen Khan, Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman, Sharmin Segal, and Taha Shah Badusha.

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijacking - Netflix

Anubhav Sinha made his debut in web series this year with a retelling of the historic hijacking of Indian Airlines flight 814 in Kathmandu, Nepal, which occurred in 1999 and significantly influenced India's approach to combating terrorism for many years. Co-created by Anubhav and Trishant Srivastava, the series is based on a screenplay written by Trishant and Adrian Levy. This six-episode series features a distinguished ensemble cast, including notable actors such as Vijay Varma, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Aravind Swamy, Dia Mirza, Aditya Srivastava, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya, contributing to its memorable impact.

Call Me Bae - Available on Prime Video

For those who find these thrillers excessively dark, we suggest exploring Collin D'Cunha's engaging and nuanced coming-of-age comedy. Featuring Ananya Panday in a pivotal role as Bella Chowdhary, also known as Bae, a social media influencer who faces rejection from her family in South Delhi. Developed by Ishita Moitra, this series from Dharmatic Entertainment follows her quest to become a hard news journalist at a prestigious news channel in Mumbai. The eight-episode series includes performances by Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Sayani Gupta, Lisa Mishra, and Mini Mathur.

Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives - Netflix

The third season of Dharmatic Entertainment's reality series, The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, has been revitalized by its Mumbai versus Delhi theme and the introduction of new participants. Alongside the returning Bollywood wives—Neelam, Bhavana Pandey, Seema Sajdeh, and Maheep Kapoor—the cast now includes the Delhi wives: Kalyani Chawla, Riddhima Kapoor, and the popular internet personality, Shalini Passi.

Freedom at Midnight - SonyLIV

Nikkhil Advani transitioned to long-form storytelling with his adaptation of the 1975 bestseller by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, which shares the same title. The seven-episode series chronicles the years from 1942 to 1947, focusing on India's struggle for independence and the subsequent Partition. The cast includes Sidhant Gupta portraying Jawaharlal Nehru, Chirag Vohra as Mahatma Gandhi, Rajendra Chawla in the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Arif Zakaria as Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2 is available on Netflix

A notable returning favorite on Netflix is Sidharth Sengupta's gripping crime thriller, featuring the remarkable Tahir Raj Bhasin in the lead role. The narrative picks up precisely where Season 1 concluded in 2022. Many have characterized the second season as an extended climax of its predecessor, maintaining a consistently dramatic and engaging storyline. The cast also includes Anchal Singh, Shweta Tripathi, Saurabh Shukla, Brijendra Kala, and Gurmeet Choudhary, with Season 2 vowing to deliver a fast-paced, exhilarating experience.

Bandish Bandits Season 2 - Available on Prime Video

Prime Video also featured a strong returning entry with Anand Tiwari and Amritpal Singh Bindra's musical romantic drama. Ritwick Bhowmik, Atul Kulkarni, Shreya Chaudhary, Sheeba Chaddha, Rajesh Tailang, and Kunaal Roy Kapur returned to their roles from the first season (2020), accompanied by Divya Dutta and the captivating Paresh Pahuja in this vibrant blend of romance, social awareness, and Indian classical music.

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