‘Sacred Games’, ‘Mirzapur’ among top 50 Indian web series

Netflix’s Sacred Games, Mirzapur, and Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story have topped the charts of a list put out by IMDb of the 50 most popular Indian web series ever released on a streaming platform, reported Variety. 

The online database for all things film, television, and video entertainment, IMDb, created the ranking based on the number of page views by Indian customers on each of the Indian streaming series present on the platform between the time period 1 January 2018 to 10 May 2023.

Series hailing from a total of 12 different streaming platforms, including Amazon’s Prime Video and miniTV, Netflix, SonyLIV, Disney+ Hotstar, YouTube, ZEE5, Voot, MX Player, JioCinema, TVF Play and ALTT, made their way onto IMDb’s list—a list that is meant to serve as a guide for viewers looking to watch and be entertained by the best in latest and old cinema.  “With this list, we aspire to help fans all over the world discover and watch iconic Indian web series and we’ll continue to help fans find the best content available through IMDb watchlists, ratings and streaming guides,” stated Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India.

Other top-ranking shows on the list were Prime Video’s The Family Man, Breathe, Panchayat, Paatal Lok, Youtube/TVF Play’s Aspirants; Disney + Hotstar’s Criminal Justice; and Netflix’s Kota Factory and Delhi Crime. The most recent entries on the ranking list were the 2023 releases Farzi, Taaza Khabar, The Night Manager, and Rana Naidu.

As public interest in local televised Indian dramas has steadily declined over the years—with more and more viewers turning to good Pakistani television being made across the border and adding millions of views to the official YouTube channels of HUMTV and Geo’s entertainment channel—it comes as no surprise that Indian web series have rapidly gained popularity amongst an audience that is constantly on the lookout for stories that are relatable and closer to home, both geographically and figuratively. “Web series in India have evolved rapidly with the rise of streaming options, and entertainment fans have greater access to diverse genres and talent as a result,” said Patodi.

Not only are Indian web series seen as a breath of fresh air in terms of subject matter—touching upon previously unexplored themes and delving into previously unchartered genres in the country such as crime and psychological horror—but they are also bringing forth new talent. 

The gripping performances are crucial to the social commentary and profound subtext that is often interlaced into the narratives of shows that are not limited by traditional television censorship and runtimes.

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