The year 2022 turned out to be amazing for OTT thanks to a steady flow of good content. As we bid goodbye to this year, here’s a look at seven web shows that dominated Netflix, Amazon Prime Video ZEE5, Disney+ Hotstar and MX Player.
Panchayat Season 2 (Amazon Prime Video)
After a successful first season (2020), Prime Video came up with Panchayat Season 2 earlier this year. Starring Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Faisal Malik and Chandan Roy, the series surpassed expectations with its strong storyline, screenplay, direction, dialogues and powerful performances put in by the actors. Panchayat Season 2 saw Abhishek (Jitendra) taking more interest in village politics while also preparing for his CAT exams. The show proved to be a perfect mix of drama, emotions and laughter as it went on to gain a strong IMDb rating of 8.9.
Aashram Season 3 (MX Player)
The highly-anticipated third instalment of Prakash Jha’s popular series left the viewers surprised with unexpected twists and turns. Aashram follows the exploits of Baba Nirala (Bobby Deol), a godman who has built a politico-criminal empire in the guise of a spiritual enterprise. The third season took off from the previous instalment when one of Baba’s disciples Pammi (Aaditi Pohankar) had escaped his clutches after being sexually abused by him. She is now out for revenge. The show received an overwhelming response from critics and viewers alike, securing a 7+ rating on IMDb.
Delhi Crime 2 (Netflix)
Netflix’s Delhi Crime, starring Shefali Shah, Rajesh Tailang and Rasika Dugal, returned with a new season this year. The second season of the show revolved around a fictionalised version of a string of murders that had taken place in the 1990s. Putting an end to this horrendous series of murders will be a challenge for DCP Vartika (Shefali Shah) and her team. The sequel earned rave reviews for its sensitive portrayal of individuals and communities.
Gullak Season 3 (SonyLIV)
One of the most-loved slice-of-life series, Sony Liv's Gullak Season 3 managed to keep the audience glued to the screen. The Mishras got back to share the story of a middle-class family and their struggles to make ends meet. Starring Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Jameel Khan and Harsh Mayar in pivotal roles, Season 3 saw the grown-up version of the Mishra brothers. The family dramedy hit the ball out of the park with flawless performances and a neat script.
Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach (Disney+ Hotstar)
Disney+ Hotstar’s Criminal Justice returned with a fresh season this year. With Pankaj Tripathi yet again donning the lawyer’s coat as Madhav Mishra, Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach focuses on the mysterious death of Zara Ahuja (Deshna Dugad), a popular teenage celebrity. Her step-brother Mukul (Aaditya Gupta), the prime suspect in this case gets arrested, and Madhav Mishra is roped in by his mother to save him from imprisonment. An engaging screenplay and top-notch acting made Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach an instant hit.
Dharavi Bank (MX Player)
MX Player’s Dharavi Bank marked the digital debut of Suniel Shetty. The show is touted to be one of the best revenge dramas in recent times with a phenomenal 9+ rating on IMDb. Set in the slums of Mumbai’s Dharavi, the series features the fight for power between dreaded gangster Thalaivan (Suniel Shetty), chief minister Janvi Surve (Sonali Kulkarni) and joint commissioner of police Jayant Gavaskar (Vivek Oberoi). The show is marked by high-octane action and emotional drama.
Saas Bahu Aur Achaar Pvt Ltd (ZEE5)
Featuring Yamini Das, Amruta Subhash, Manu Bisht and Anjana Sukhani in pivotal roles, Saas Bahu Aur Achaar Pvt Ltd is one of the best drama series of 2022. The story revolves around a woman (Amruta Subhash) who is finding it hard to set up her pickle business. She needs money for custody of her children and is helped by her former mother-in-law (Yamini Das). Meanwhile, her children head towards the wrong path, creating new challenges for their mother. The bittersweet relationship between the characters, much in line with what happens in real life, makes Saas Bahu Aur Achaar Pvt Ltd stand out from the rest.
