If social media is to be believed, we’d all like to pretend this year never happened. While I mostly support the notion, I must say that this has been a mind-numbingly huge year for streaming content by, for and about South Asian folks.
And because you don’t have enough to escape from, here’s another: I’ll give you a somewhat comprehensive (and possibly pointless) list of my arbitrary superlatives for this year’s streaming shows and films. If you find yourself clawing at the remote as the clock nears midnight, I wouldn’t blame you — I hope this list helps you find something you may have missed, or reminds you of a favorite. Either way, may 2021 bring us much more to binge-watch… and hopefully less time to do so.
Without much further ado, here’s my long list, in rough order of least to most important:
Most Unlikely Streaming Debut: Bobby Deol, “Class of ‘83” (Netflix) and “Aashram” (MX Player)
The man who once pivoted to being a DJ brought his Big Deol Energy back to the little screen this year - and while “Aashram” is a bit slow and not very well-written, it’s my favorite of his two streaming appearances this year.
Most Disappointing Streaming Debut: Chandrachur Singh, “Aarya” (Hotstar)
I’m not sure how you go from “Maachis” to saying “Listen, sweetheart…” the cringey way he does in this show, but he’s not the main draw of the show anyway. (More on “Aarya” later in the list.)
Best Streaming Debut by a Bachchan: Abhishek Bachchan, “Breathe: Into the Shadows” (Amazon)
Up against Big B himself in this category, Little B stands his own ground in the second season of this gripping crime anthology series. Don’t miss this one!
Best Veteran Streaming Debut: Sarita Choudhary, “Evil Eye” (Amazon)
Here was a streaming debut I was thrilled about and actually held up against high expectations. [Bonus Reading: Don’t miss The Juggernaut’s profile of her.]
Best 2020 Version of Radhika Apte: Pankaj Tripathi
From “Gunjan Saxena” to “Mirzapur” to “Ludo,” he kind of popped up everywhere this year, let’s be honest.
[Honorable Mention: Vikrant Massey, “Cargo” and “Ginny Weds Sunny” (Netflix)]
Most Forgettable Film: “Khuda Haafiz” (Hotstar)
[Honorable mention: “Laxmmi” (Hotstar), “Coolie No. 1” (Amazon) and “Sadak 2” (Hotstar) ]
Sometimes I feel like there are two Bollywoods: one, where overdramatic and extremely problematic depictions are still fine… and another where smart storytelling and moving performances are the name of the game. Don’t waste your time on the first kind.
Best Aunty Rap: Neena Gupta, “Masaba Masaba” (Netflix)
I can’t keep giving out streaming debut superlatives, can I? Neena Gupta would make a fine one. She’s the best part of “Masaba Masaba,” which is saying something for a series as enjoyable as this one. [Bonus Read: Don’t miss my interview with the show’s director, Sonam Nair.]
Best Dad Jokes: “The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives” (Netflix)
Sign me up for this spinoff.
Best Top Chef Impersonation: Pradhyuman, “Indian Matchmaking” (Netflix)
He used liquid nitrogen, okay?
Most Underrated Show (Comedy): “Bhaag Beanie Bhaag” (Netflix)
Swara Bhasker is phenomenal, and Ravi Patel is a welcome addition to the Indian streaming world!
Most Underrated Show (Drama): “Abhay” Season 2 (Zee5)
I’m here for anything with Kunal Khemu in it — but it’s a bonus that this is also India’s best attempt thus far at a police procedural drama (excluding “Delhi Crime,” since it was all about one crime).
Best This-Shit-Is-Too-Real Documentary: “Bad Boy Billionaires” (Netflix)
[Honorable Documentary Mention: “Rooting for Roona” (Netflix)]
This investigative docuseries tells the stories of three powerful business tycoons and the greed, fraud and corruption that surrounded them — and it left me absolutely appalled, even when I knew the overarching story. This series is definitely not-to-be-missed.
Most Disappointing Genre Combination: Colonialism and Zombies, “Betaal” (Netflix)
I’m not really sure where Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment wanted to go with this series, but India’s never been good at horror anyway, and the last two episodes of this miniseries proved that yet again.
Best Film Title That Doesn’t Tell You Anything About the Movie: “Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare” (Netflix)
I really, truly enjoyed this film — it may be my favorite of the year. Bhumi Pednekar and Konkona Sen Sharma are stellar, and this kind of film gives me hope for a new kind of Bollywood that sees women (mostly because these kinds of films are made by women).
Best Appearance By Overachieving Indian Parents: “Spelling the Dream” (Netflix)
Relatable and bingeable, all in one cut, overachieving package.
Best Nawazuddin Siddiqui Film of the Year: “Serious Men” (Netflix)
Honestly, I would probably watch anything with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in it (that’s why he’s in his on superlative category!). In this film, Siddiqui does what he knows best: simple, impactful acting with a sly smirk and witty comedic delivery. (More of my review here.)
Best Newcomer: Aditi Pohankar, “She” (Netflix)
She wowed me in “Aashram” as well, but for those who don’t have access to MX Player, don’t snooze on this wonderful actress — be sure to check out this drama series on Netflix.
Best Soundtrack: “Bandish Bandits” (Amazon)
It marks a new era when legendary music directors like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy lend their art to streaming. The performances in the series were powerful enough, thanks to Naseeruddin Shah, but the music elevated the show and still has me mesmerized all months later.
Best Actor (Legend): Amitabh Bachchan, “Gulabo Sitabo”
For this film, directed by Shoojit Sircar, Bachchan saab reinvented himself yet again, proving that there is, in fact, no one else like him.
Best Actor (Posthumous): Sushant Singh Rajput, “Dil Bechara” (Hotstar)
It felt wrong and unbearable to watch this after his untimely passing, but Sushant Singh Rajput was still the best part of the film, regardless.
Best Non-Indian Show of the Year: “Churails” (Zee5)
This show from Pakistan had its flaws, and honestly, it took some time to grow on me — is it enough to have a power-packed ensemble cast of women? For a South Asian show, and one with a gripping plot at that, yes.
Strangest Climax (Film): “Kaali Khuhi” (Netflix)
I was excited to see Shabana Azmi on-screen in this horror-thriller, but the end kind of lost me, to be honest. Still, the film is incredibly well-done and well-shot… and absolutely worth seeing.
Strangest Climax (Show): “JL50” (Sony LIV)
Reminiscent of “Lost,” this miniseries had the potential (and the star power, thanks to Abhay Deol and Pankaj Kapoor) to make a real splash. Unfortunately, the mystery and investigative portion of the plot ends up taking a backseat in the last two episodes, leading to an unfulfilling ending, to say the least.
Best Film with a Terrible Title: “Thappad” (Amazon)
It took me a while to finally watch this, if only because the title was so off-putting. And yes, you can probably figure out what the film is about from the name and trailer — but its message, and Taapsee Pannu’s performance, of course — are the real prize here.
Best Film You May Have Missed: “Chippa” (Netflix)
You may recognize the adorable Sunny Pawar from “Lion,” and if he stole your heart then, get ready to lose it all over again. This simple film rides entirely on his shoulder, and it makes me so excited to see what else this kid will do in the coming years.
Best Film (Supernatural): “Bulbbul” (Netflix)
Chudails were a strong presence in South Asian shows and films this year, and this film also felt like an apt use of the plot device. Though tough to watch at times, this film showed a growing awareness in India of the power of investing stories of and by women (with a shoutout to the producer, Anushka Sharma).
Best Film (Drama): “Ludo” (Netflix)
This topsy-turvy tale is a strange and exciting feat of storytelling from veteran director Anurag Basu. My best advice for enjoying this film? Drop all pre-conceived notions of linear timelines and melodrama, and strap in for the ride.
Best Film (Comedy): “Lootcase” (Hotstar)
I absolutely, wholeheartedly believe Kunal Khemu is an insanely talented actor whose time has finally come. Don’t miss this lighthearted gem of a film!
Best Second Season of a Crime Drama: “Mirzapur” (Amazon)
There were a lot of crime shows from India this year, but standing up a second season after a wildly successful first season is never easy (just ask “Sacred Games”), no matter what the competition is.
Best Show (Dark Comedy): “Hasmukh” (Netflix)
[Honorable mention: “Pushpavalli” Season 2, (Amazon)]
Vir Das, and Sumukhi Suresh, are mainstays of the comedy scene India. I loved both of these series for their innovative storytelling and strong writing that brought unique stories to life. (I also find both of them super hilarious, so that helps!)
Best Show (Drama): “Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story” (Sony LIV)
I was late to the party on this one, but the endless critical acclaim pulled me in — and it was more than warranted. The mix of white collar crime and investigative journalism was a winning formula for me, personally.
Best “Female-Driven” Drama of the Year: “Aarya” (Hotstar)
This show gets two mentions on the list, only because Sushmita Sen is a true gem in this. She also made her streaming debut, but moreover, the show and its success represented a shift this year in content led by, and about, women. I’m so here for that.
Best Show (Crime Thriller): “Paatal Lok” (Amazon)
By far my favorite series of the year, this show is made unforgettable by its lead, Jaideep Ahlawat, and extremely compelling writing. Indian streaming shows blew into the crime thriller genre with “Sacred Games” back in 2018, and this show truly encapsulates the growth in this space just since then. If you haven’t seen this yet, seriously, start it as soon as possible.
If you made it this far, thank you so much for being a subscriber! I appreciate your support and I hope for a better 2021 for all of us. See you next week — I’ll be back with the usual reviews and a look at what’s coming soon in the new year!