The Indian OTT industry has undergone a remarkable revolution, spotlighting narratives set in small-town and rural settings as central to its storytelling.
Productions like “Laapataa Ladies,” “Mirzapur,” and “Chamkila” exemplify this shift, portraying nuanced characters and gripping plots rooted in the heartlands of India.
These series capture rural India’s cultural richness and diverse landscapes and challenge traditional urban-centric narratives. By bringing small-town stories to the forefront, the Indian OTT industry has diversified its content and resonated deeply with audiences, reflecting the vibrant tapestry of the country’s lesser-explored regions.
There’s something special about watching stories set in small towns, especially when you come from one yourself. It’s like taking a trip down memory lane, isn’t it? Keep reading to bookmark some of the most revolutionary small-town stories portrayed in OTT shows:
- Panchayat
- Gullak
- Kota Factory
- Mirzapur
- Half CA
- Maamla Legal Hai
- Ghar Waapsi
Panchayat (TVFPlay & Amazon Prime Video)
Video credit: YouTube
This heartwarming comedy-drama follows Abhishek, a young engineering graduate from Delhi who reluctantly takes up a low-paying government job as a Panchayat secretary in a remote village named Phulera. The story explores his struggles to adjust to rural life, the quirky characters he encounters, and his gradual understanding of the importance of his role in the community.
Starring Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta, and Chandan Roy, Panchayat offers a humorous and relatable portrayal of small-town India. (Approx. 30 minutes per episode)
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Gullak (SonyLIV)
Video credit: YouTube
This coming-of-age story revolves around the Mishra family living in a small town in central India. It follows the life of teenager Aman and his relationship with his parents, played by the brilliant actors Jameel Khan and Geetanjali Kulkarni. Gullak captures the innocence and awkwardness of adolescence, along with the struggles of adjusting to societal expectations.
Written and directed by Shanu Singh Bagha, Gullak offers a nostalgic and heartwarming glimpse into growing up in a small Indian town. (Approx. 25 minutes per episode)
Kota Factory (Netflix)
This slice-of-life drama dives into the competitive world of coaching institutes in Kota, Rajasthan, a city known for its focus on entrance exams. The story follows Vaibhav, a young boy from a small town who arrives in Kota with dreams of cracking the prestigious IIT entrance exam.
Video credit: YouTube
Featuring outstanding performances by Mayank Tiwari, Jitendra Kumar, and Ranjan Raj, Kota Factory sheds light on students’ pressures in India’s competitive education system. (Approx. 40 minutes per episode)
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Mirzapur (Amazon Prime Video)
This gritty crime drama takes place in the lawless city of Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh. It follows Akhandan, a young college student who becomes entangled in the world of drugs, guns, and power struggles controlled by the ruthless Tripathi family.
Video credit: YouTube
Starring Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Divyendu Sharma, and Vikrant Massey, Mirzapur is a fast-paced, action-packed series exploring violence, corruption, and family loyalty. (Approx. 50 minutes per episode)
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Half CA (TVFPlay & Amazon miniTV)
This inspirational drama follows the journey of two aspiring Chartered Accountants, Archie Mehta (Ahsaas Channa) and Niraj Goyal (Gyanendra Tripathi). Archie, a young and enthusiastic girl from Mumbai, arrives in the bustling city to pursue her IPCC (Integrated Professional Competence Course). On the other hand, Niraj is a seasoned professional who already holds a “Half CA” designation but struggles to find recognition due to not completing the whole qualification.
Video credit: YouTube
It features. Ahsaas Channa (Archie Mehta), Gyanendra Tripathi (Niraj Goyal), Anmol Kajani (Vishal Jain), Prit Kamani (Tejas Kaushik), and Rohan Joshi (Parth Niyyati).
(Approx. 25 minutes per episode)
Maamla Legal Hai (Disney+ Hotstar)
This legal drama revolves around the life of Vandana Singh (Vandana Mishra), a sharp and ambitious lawyer, and her struggles in the male-dominated world of law. The show explores the challenges Vandana faces as she fights for justice for her clients and navigates the complexities of the Indian legal system.
Video credit: YouTube
It features Vandana Mishra (Vandana Singh), Anup Soni (Hrishikesh Pandey), Aamir Bashir (Justice Chandra Shekhar Mishra), Aishwarya Rajesh (Aditi Deshmukh), and Mukesh Tiwari (Advocate Shukla).
(Approx. 45 minutes per episode)
Ghar Waapsi (Amazon Prime Video)
This heartwarming family drama tells the story of the Shergills, a Punjabi family living in Canada. The show follows their journey as they navigate cultural clashes, family secrets, and the pursuit of happiness while trying to maintain their close bond.
Video credit: YouTube
It features Pammi Aunty (Gurpreet Kaur Pandher), Sumeet Sachdev (Ricky Shergill), Vinay Pathak (Rajiv Shergill), Yukti Thareja (Nikki Shergill), and Farida Jalal (Bebe).
(Approx. 40 minutes per episode)
These seven small-town stories are just a glimpse into the diverse and captivating content emerging from the Indian OTT industry. From heartwarming comedies to gritty dramas, these shows depict the realities and complexities of life in smaller Indian towns, resonating with audiences across the country.
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