It’s election season in India! Enthusiastic citizens including Bollywood celebs are casting their vote in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. But, it is not a piece of cake to learn about the political status of our country. Thus, web-series have made it a lot easier for the viewers to comprehend the nuances of politics. Each genre holds a special place in our hearts, be it gripping dramas or intense thrillers. It is fascinating to note how the web-series educates about current happenings while providing an entertainment value. We bring you a few series that span the gamut of political issues.
Dharavi Bank
- Released On: 19th November, 2022
- Streaming Platform:MX Player
- Cast: Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, Sunali Kulkarni
Director Sammit Kakkad’s intense crime thriller, ‘Dharavi Bank’ revolves around the rise of Dharavi’s gangster and the godman of many politicians, Thalaivan (played by Suniel Shetty). His life comes at stake when he is threatened by Chief Minister Janvi Surve (played by Sonali Kulkarni), who gives orders to JCP Jayant Gavaskar (Vivek Oberoi) to kill him.
Dharavi Bank | Official Trailer | Suniel Shetty | Vivek Anand Oberoi | MX Player (youtube.com)
The Red Land
- Released On: 14th October, 2019
- Streaming Platform: MxPlayer
- Cast: Shaleen Bhanot, Manish Sinha, Anirudha Singh
‘The Red Land’ is a story about two brothers, Amarpal Singh and Samarpal Singh who are the kings of their world. People worship them, and the police hesitates to bother them. But when they meet Ajit Yadav, their driver’s son, their lives take an unexpected turn. Numerous issues arise from their meeting, such as the conflict between caste, power, and greed.
Choona
- Released On: 3rd August, 2023
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
- Cast: Jimmy Sheirgill, Aashim Gulati, Namit Das
Written and Directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra, ‘Choona’ is a comedy-drama with an undertone of politics. It narrates the story of an aspiring but corrupt politician, who dreams of becoming the next CM. When the word is out that he is about to receive ₹300 crores in cash by illegal means, a group sets on a mission to extract the money and destroy his political status.
Choona | Official Trailer | Jimmy Sheirgill, Aashim Gulati, Namit Das | Netflix India (youtube.com)
Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond
- Released On: 25th April, 2024
- Streaming Platform: Jio Cinema
- Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Lara Dutta, Ashutosh Rana, Ashish Vidyarthi
The compelling web-series follows the events after the Pulwama Attack and the Balakot airstrike on Pakistan. A team of a RAW agent strikes back to give a befitting reply to Pakistan and to bring back a captured pilot using military strategies. Director Santosh Singh intelligently combined an actioner, spy-thriller and political drama into one. This one is a must-watch.
Apaharan
- Released On: 14th December, 2018
- Streaming Platform: Alt Balaji
- Cast: Arunoday Singh, Mahie Gill, Nidhi Singh
‘Apaharan’ is a thriller series, directed and co-produced by Sidharth Sengupta. It narrates the story of a police inspector of Uttarakhand Police, Rudra Srivastava who is falsely framed for a missing person’s kidnapping and murder and lands up for 3 years in prison. He sets out on a mission to catch a wanted criminal. ‘Apaharan’ is the perfect amalgamation of crime, thriller, mystery and suspense with a hint of action and comedy.
अपहरण | Apahran Season 1 | Sabka Katega | Arunoday Singh | Mahie Gill | ALTBalaji (youtube.com)
London Files
- Released On: 21st April, 2022
- Streaming Platform:Voot
- Cast: Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Medha Rana
‘London Files’ is an investigative thriller set amidst the backdrop of London. The series brings suspense and intrigue as detective Om Singh unravels the mystery behind a missing girl named Maya, daughter of an influential media mogul, Amar Roy. The crime series is directed by Sachin Pathak.
Voot Select | London Files | Official Trailer | Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli | 21st April (youtube.com)
City of Dreams
- Released On: 3rd May, 2019
- Streaming Platform – Disney+ Hotstar
- Cast: Priya Bapat, Siddharth Chandekar, Eijaz Khan, Atul Kulkarni
Directed by Nageesh Kukunoor, ‘City of Dreams’ is a political drama which is based around the assasination attempt on a powerful politician, Ameya Rao Gaikwa which leads to a series of events. This compelling series focuses on dark characters whose desire for money and power results in bloodbath in the city. It also exposes the internal rift between Gaikwad siblings. The show also brings a feminist undertone in contrast to sexism and violence. It manages to cover topics such as broken relationships, politics, and family.
Hotstar Specials City Of Dreams | Season 3 | Trailer | Priya Bapat | Atul Kulkarni (youtube.com)
Tandav
- Released On: January 14, 2021
- Streaming Platform: Prime Video
- Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Tigmanshu Dhulia
‘Tandav’ is director Ali Abbas Zafar’s and Writer Gaurav Solanki’s attempt to create a political saga in contemporary India. It is a twisted tale of ambition, betrayal and corruption which is brought to life by its characters. People from different statutes are seen engrossed in a fight to acquire the highest chair. Every episode is full of twist and turns which makes it an intriguing political thriller.
The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth
- Released On: 23rd February, 2024
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
- Cast: Anurita Jha, Annsh Shekhawat, Vidhie Mukerjea
This documentary series looks at the disappearance of 25-year-old Sheena Bora revealing new insights. Sheena Bora was allegedly kidnapped and murdered in 2012. In 2015, Sheena’s murder Indrani Mukerjea and her driver Shyamvar Rai were arrested for being allegedly involved in the crime. The series delves deep into the gripping case, unfolding untold events, featuring interviews and documents from Sheena’s disappearance.
The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth | Official Trailer | Netflix India (youtube.com)
The Broken News
- Released On: 10th June, 2022
- Streaming Platform: Zee 5
- Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Sonali Bendre, Shriya Pilgaonkar
From the rawness of the newsrooms to the news channels vying for more ratings, ‘The Broken News’ has everything to attract viewer’s attention. It shows the rivalry between two media outlets and the chaos inside the newsroom when and how a story is reported in order to garner more views. It covers the personal and professional life of journalists and how they strategically cope up with them.
Bhaukaal
- Released On: 11th May 2020
- Streaming Platform: MX Player
- Cast: Mohit Raina, Siddhanth Kapoor, Bidita Bag
‘Bhaukaal’ is inspired by real-life events and the journey of IPS officer Navniet Sekera played by Mohit Raina. The series is based in Muzaffarnagar, the crime capital of India in 2004. Director Jatin Wagle throws light on the upsurge in criminal activities in the area and how a police officer rises to prominence by eradicating deranged gang lords. It also shows a super cop’s battle with corrupt figures in power, and his attempt to re-establish the faith of the people in law.
Bhaukaal Season 2 | Official Trailer | Mohit Raina | MX Original Series | MX Player (youtube.com)
Hope, you have chosen your favourite pick by now? So, what are you waiting for? Go, grab your popcorn and experience the political drama on your screens.
