The notion of a season in television programming is fundamentally rooted in American culture. While British television features a similar structure known as series, it often lacks the punctuality characteristic of American productions. American television seasons adhere to a predictable schedule, whereas Indian shows traditionally emphasized continuity without seasonal breaks. The advent of over-the-top (OTT) platforms in the late 2010s significantly transformed this landscape.

As time progressed, the initial wave of prestigious shows returned for their second seasons, leading to a decline in quality, as exemplified by the challenges faced by Indian streaming platforms with their second seasons, notably in the case of "Sacred Games." Each year, flagship shows struggled to maintain the high standards established by their inaugural seasons. However, in the aftermath of the pandemic, Indian creators appear to be mastering this format, nearly perfecting the execution of second seasons.

The season 2 problem

"Sacred Games" marked a pivotal moment in Indian web series, featuring prominent actors Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Netflix's first original production in India. The inaugural season, directed by Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, was hailed as the finest Indian television series to date. However, when the second season was released in 2019, critics expressed disappointment, acknowledging that while it was not entirely lacking merit, it fell short of the exceptional standards set by its predecessor.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui's performance in "Sacred Games" garnered acclaim from both audiences and critics alike. Vikramaditya Motwane, one of the directors, remarked, “I would have preferred a more comprehensive resolution to the narrative. I believe season 2 felt somewhat hurried in its execution. These are the initial challenges encountered when there is pressure to produce a second season within a year of the first. I understand the rationale behind this approach, even if I do not fully endorse the entire process.”

Time was widely perceived as a disadvantage for Sacred Games, similar to several other early web series. In an attempt to emulate the annual release strategy prevalent in America, the production process became hurried, ultimately compromising the quality of the content.

How the pandemic saved Indian OTT

The pandemic inadvertently revitalized Indian OTT platforms. Prior to this global crisis, while Indian streaming services were already delivering quality content, few shows managed to attract significant viewership. The halt in production due to COVID-19 allowed writers to focus on their craft, leading to the refinement and enhancement of scripts. Streaming platforms provided creators with the necessary time to prioritize quality.

The second season of Mirzapur was initially viewed as an exception, arriving two years after its predecessor and showing notable improvement. However, this trend soon became commonplace. Series such as Panchayat, The Family Man, Delhi Crime, Rocket Boys, and Gullak all produced superior second seasons, largely due to the extended time taken for their development. Creators recognized that time could be an asset, resulting in longer intervals between seasons.

The road ahead

Looking ahead, no series illustrates the turnaround in Indian OTT quite like Paatal Lok. The first season was a self-contained narrative, celebrated as one of India's premier examples of long-form storytelling. Remarkably, the second season managed to exceed its predecessor. While it may be premature to declare the arrival of a new era of prestigious franchises, it is evident that some platforms are beginning to excel. Prime Video has taken the lead with successful second seasons of not only Paatal Lok but also Mirzapur, Hostel Daze, Bandish Bandits, The Family Man, and Mumbai Diaries. SonyLIV has also made strides with its offerings, including Rocket Boys and Gullak, among others.

There are instances when second seasons fail to achieve the same level of excellence as the first, with "Made in Heaven" and "Scam" serving as notable examples. However, such deviations can often be attributed to the unique nature of individual shows rather than a broader trend.

Filmmakers assert that the realm of streaming content remains relatively novel in the context of Indian storytelling, leading to a process characterized by experimentation and a degree of unlearning. Pushkar, who, along with his wife Gayatri, has created the critically acclaimed series "Suzhal," remarks, "Long-form storytelling is a new endeavor for all of us. We are still in the process of determining the appropriate rhythm for writing. We have been accustomed to a specific structure in cinema, and now we must unlearn that and embrace a different approach to writing."

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