Culture & Living
Too many shows, but not enough time? There is a range of content waiting to be finished within a few hours
There’s something to be said about shows that manage to pack in a lot within limited hours. Keeping it crisp seems to be the way to ensure viewers are engaged in the story. From cute romcoms to edge-of-the-seat thrillers, there is a variety of content on OTT platforms that is available to binge-watch within a marathon eight-hour session, if you so wish. With new shows and movies dropping in almost every day, this is great news for those who like their content with a lot of diversity. Check out our list, ahead.
At its heart, Emily in Paris is true escapist fare. And God knows we all need that in our lives right now. To be like Emily and escape to the bright and beautiful world of Paris and fall in love with a gorgeous neighbour—who also happens to be a chef—that does seem to be just what the doctor recommended after the pall and gloom of this year.
Lily Collins’ workplace comedy combines fashion, romance, travel and a clash of cultures and throws in a mix of good-looking people to come up with a show that became one of the top streaming shows in its first week of release. While French critics have not been suitably impressed, the renewal of the show for a second season means we get to see Emily staying in Paris a bit longer, navigate new romances and face more challenges at work. It just might also help improve her French.
Streaming on Netflix
To adapt Vikram Seth’s sweeping tale set in post-Partition India immortalised in his 1993 novel of the same name, would have been no easy task. Director Mira Nair’s attempt with this BBC mini-series has received mixed reviews from critics who believed that much was lost in translation. However, Mrs Rupa Mehra’s (Mahira Kakkar) pursuit of a suitable boy for her daughter Lata (Tanya Maniktala) does make for a charming watch, once you get over the lack of internal dilemma that the book brought out so well.
Led by a dream ensemble cast, one of the highlights of the show is the intoxicating romance between the ageing courtesan Saeeda Begum (Tabu, mesmerising as ever) and her young lover, the hot-headed Maan Kapoor (Ishaan Khatter).
Streaming on Netflix
Watching Mark Ruffalo play twin brothers Dominic and Thomas in this adaptation of Wally Lamb’s 1998 bestselling novel—with one of them suffering from paranoid schizophrenia—is equal to attending a masterclass in acting. There is not one false note in the actor’s dual performance in this dark tale of trauma and tragedy. Thomas might be the one suffering from the mental illness but Ruffalo is also brilliant in bringing out Dominic’s emotional disability when it comes to helping his twin brother.
The show is a disturbing watch and the content often threatens to wear down the viewer but Ruffalo’s riveting performance—that won him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Limited Series or Movie—makes this emotional saga a must-watch on our list.
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
A worthy successor to the first season of the binge-worthy thriller, Hostages season 2 jumps straight into the action. The stakes are higher and there is no time to breathe as Prithvi (Ronit Roy), the kidnapper gets trapped in a dilapidated bungalow with his team and the Chief Minister, before he can flee to Nepal.
As Prithvi devises a plan to escape, he finds newer challenges with ace negotiator Ayesha Khan (Divya Dutta) countering his moves and closing in on him. The cat-and-mouse chase amps up on the thrills and leads up to a riveting finale. A smattering of backstories adds the required texture to the edge-of-the-seat thriller.
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
Based on a 1983 novel by Walter Tevis, the mini-drama series follows the life of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphan who wants to become the world’s best chess player. The richly-detailed period series has even impressed the chess community, who have hailed the show for nailing the game’s accuracy.
The lead actor's terrific performance is reason enough to watch the show. Watch Anya’s body language as she finds herself in a tough spot, her face betraying no emotion yet her entire body seething with rage. Or when she slays an opponent with quiet confidence—you will be glad it’s not you at the opposite end of the table.
Streaming on Netflix
Continuing with many of the threads of the critically-acclaimed first season starring Julia Roberts, the second season has a new protagonist played by Janelle Monae and a new mystery to solve. Alex (Janelle) wakes up on a rowboat in the middle of a lake with no idea of who she is or how she got there.
While the first season doled out psychological thrills in good measure, the second instalment abounds in conspiracy theories. The stylish show received mixed reviews from critics who found it less compelling than its previous season, but found praise for its performances, especially by the lead actor.
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Who wouldn’t want to be privy to the life of one of the most talented fashion designers in the country? Masaba Masaba gives the viewer a fictional peek into the life of designer Masaba Gupta and the behind-the-scenes drama that takes place before the clothes find their way on the designer racks. Masaba’s own mother Neena Gupta, plays her mum in the show as well.
The highlight of the show, however, is the endearing chemistry between the real-life mother and daughter. They bicker constantly but have each other’s back when the going gets tough, their scenes together crackling with relatability and ease.
Streaming on Netflix
On the face of it, the adventures of a city boy, who decides to take up a low salary job as a secretary in the village Panchayat due to lack of better options, might seem too dull in comparison to some of the other flashier content on OTT platforms. However, this seemingly smaller and quieter show has a winning narrative.
Bolstered by strong performances from its lead cast, including Raghuvir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Jitendra Kumar and Chandan Roy, the show stays clear of the frills while focussing on the regular lives of the villagers. The social commentary is doled out without making a big deal of it, often with a touch of humour. That is where the show’s strength lies.
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video