7 Indian TV Series That Are Nothing Like Indian Movies

"She"

Drama, Crime, Thriller | 2 seasons | 2020–...

Junior Police Constable Bhumika Pardesi is a modest and unassuming officer who is underestimated by her colleagues and plagued by misfortune in her personal life. Everything changes when she is assigned a dangerous undercover mission: to infiltrate the inner circle of an influential drug lord by posing as a woman of easy virtue. Gradually, the heroine not only gets closer to the criminal network but also discovers her own courage, confidence, and inner strength. However, the deeper Bhumika delves into the criminal underworld, the more dangerous the game becomes—a game that will change her life forever.

“This isn’t the kind of Indian cinema my mind is used to; I’m one of those who fondly remembers the distant, dancing, and singing films. But I liked what I saw. It’s damn candid for India,” — Demiant

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“The Railway Men: The Untold Story of Bhopal 1984”

Historical, Thriller | Season 1 | 2023

On the night of December 3, 1984, an accident occurs at a chemical plant: following an explosion, a deadly gas is released into the air and quickly engulfs the sleeping city. The train station finds itself at the epicenter of the disaster, as thousands of people rush there in panic, trying to save themselves. Realizing the scale of the tragedy, the stationmaster and his colleagues decide not to abandon their posts. Risking their own lives, they organize the evacuation and do everything possible to get passengers and residents out of the affected area.

“Wow, that’s intense. I won’t lie—I went into this Indian production with some reservations, but it’s so well-filmed. The scenes at the end of the episode featuring each character, each with their own story, really add a lot,” — oy_oyster

“This is probably the first Indian series I’ve watched. It turns out Netflix can produce something worthwhile in collaboration with any country,” — Trance

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“Citadel: Honey Bunny”

Action, Espionage, Thriller | 3.22 out of 5 on MyShows | Season 1 | 2024

In 1992, stuntman Bunny offers aspiring actress Honey a side job that unexpectedly draws them into the world of international espionage. During a dangerous mission, feelings flare up between the characters, but after a series of tragic events and the news of Honey’s pregnancy, their paths diverge. Several years later, Hani is raising her daughter alone when the past comes knocking: powerful enemies begin hunting down the family. To protect his former lover and her child, Bunny returns, and together they must once again enter a deadly game.

“To me, it all looks too funny or over-the-top; it doesn’t feel like a real spy thriller—probably because of my attitude toward Bollywood and their acting. But I can’t say it looks bad either—the cinematography is good, the locations are great, the actress is attractive, and the whole thing looks quite high-budget and well-made. The names of the organizations are confusing—what are they and why are they there? I guess they’ll explain everything later. And as mentioned above, it’s a far cry from the original with Diana. Well, let’s see how it goes; it’s not really worth judging based on the first episode,” — Hamali666

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“Class”

Drama, Crime, Thriller | 3.34 out of 5 on MyShows | Season 1 | 2023

After a fire at a public school, three teenagers from Delhi’s poor neighborhoods receive compensation following a court ruling and the opportunity to continue their education at a prestigious international school. However, in the world of wealthy heirs, they are met with contempt: their background, clothing, and lifestyle become a source of constant humiliation. Gradually, the newcomers find themselves drawn into a web of intrigue, where drugs, infidelity, family secrets, and a struggle for power lurk behind a flawless facade. When one of the students is found murdered, the investigation uncovers the dark secrets of each of the characters, and the story unfolds through police interrogations and the characters’ flashbacks.

“I certainly understand that it’s based on the original series *Elite*” and so on, but I was expecting to see something new. Not just the same events, only with Indian actors. A prime example is the remake *Rebels*, which is based on *Rebellious Spirit*—the core idea is the same, but the plot is new and fresh. Of course, we’ll see what happens next, but I doubt I’ll see anything new in this series,” — TamilaMarkiv

“It turned out to be a good remake—in some places even more emotional than the original. You can immediately see the difference in the acting; the Indian actors come across as more interesting. So I don’t understand the criticism of this interpretation,” — mrbradshaw

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“Typewriter”

Drama, Horror, Mystery | 3.37 out of 5 on MyShows | Season 1 | 2019

Three friends who dream of becoming ghost hunters discover a mysterious house with a dark history. When a new family moves in, inexplicable and terrifying events begin to occur. It gradually becomes clear that the house’s walls hold terrifying secrets from the past, and its new residents find themselves caught in the middle of a battle against otherworldly forces.

“An Indian mystical horror film with mediocre acting. A typical story: a family moves into an old house, and the trouble begins. There are echoes of *Stranger Things* here and there. I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch the second episode yet,” — minni_vinni

“Surprisingly not a bad series. Maybe they’ll make a sequel with a different family. It doesn’t drag on—everything moves along pretty quickly,” — Aquamarine

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“Sacred Games”

Drama, Crime, Action | 3.45 out of 5 on MyShows | 2 seasons | 2018–2019

Mumbai is overwhelmed by corruption, crime, and lawlessness, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult for honest police officers to fight the system. One of them is Inspector Sartaj Singh, who is haunted by the mistakes of his past and disillusioned with the present. Unexpectedly, he receives a call from India’s most wanted criminal. The man claims to be an immortal god and warns that in 25 days, Mumbai will be destroyed. Now only Sartaj can prevent the catastrophe if he manages to unravel the chain of mysteries and find the source of the threat.

“It’s interesting in places, the opening sequence is beautiful, but overall—it’s boring,” — Vulture

“Well, for an Indian show, it’s actually not bad at all. I expected worse. However, it’s sad that this isn’t the end. And they’ve already killed off all the ‘good guys.’ The season ended in the middle of the story,” — nebulad

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“Delhi Crime”

Drama, Crime | 4.03 out of 5 on MyShows | 3 seasons | 2019–...

The series is based on one of the most high-profile criminal cases in modern Indian history. In 2012, two young women were brutally attacked. The investigation is led by police officer Vartika Chaturvedi, who must overcome bureaucratic obstacles and pressure from officials. Despite attempts to cover up the case, she continues her search for the perpetrators. The tragedy sparked mass protests across the country and served as a catalyst for reforming Indian legislation.

“I liked this series; it’s been a long time since I’ve been so scared. My heart would stop while watching it. One of the police officers said something like, ‘Actually, 99% of people are good; it’s just that we have to deal with evil or bad people.’ I really want to believe his words, but it’s very hard,” — berbetenok

“An excellent procedural set against the harsh realities of India. A horrific crime, the need for an urgent investigation, behind-the-scenes infighting among ministers, underfunded police, corruption—it’s all there. The squalor and poverty of the local population are laid bare almost completely...” — Kazan_etc

“The second season is weaker than the first, but the series still maintains its high standard. In the first season, the case was more high-profile, with global implications… I hope it continues as an anthology series, with Vartika investigating cases in her new position. Overall, it’s a hit,” — DemonaZZ

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