The naagins have infested prime-time television and are accompanied by their good friends, the vish kanyas and gorillas. You have just come back from a long day at work and are itching to watch something funny, out-of-the-box or dramatic. What do you do?
Well, you go online.
The second wave of web series in India (one could argue) has thrown up a variety of entertainment which differ in genre, target audience, language and crazy quotient. There is noir, mystery, sci-fi and even a meta-narrative about television stardom.
After trawling YouTube on odd days and unknown corners of the internet for hours, The Quint brings to you a list of the best (and most quirky) web series in India.
Kenny Sebastian’s Star Boyz
Referencing the greatest sci-fi series on Earth isn’t easy, but Kenny Sebastian’s Star Boyz manages to do it, and with a side of chutney.
Documenting the underwhelming adventures of three South Indian boys in space as they traverse across space to go to planets named Chaat onboard SS Yemma Watson, this web series is unlike anything you might have seen before.
Strikingly original, peppered with hilarious Bengaluru slang and brilliantly written, the awkward trio of Naveen Richard, Mani Prasad, and Kenny Sebastian inhabit their characters so well, it’s hard to imagine them as regular guys living on Earth.
It might be difficult to digest for non sci-fi fans, but Star Boyz merits one watch for its audacious imagination. And of course, the revenge of Kebabs.
Blush’s Alisha
What if Sherlock Holmes was a woman, and considered Vogue her Bible?
Meet Alisha. She loves solving mysteries as much as her Bobbi Brown lipstick, and doesn’t care if you think that’s abnormal.
Blush’s Alisha is refreshing because it doesn’t apologize for anything; not for the drool-worthy fashion it flaunts, not for her badass protagonist who doesn’t think twice before getting her hands dirty and not for its representation of a very rich, urban class.
Structured around well-known Sherlock stories, Alisha has her Watson to accompany her every step of the way; and meets her Moriarty as well. While the series could do with tighter writing and better mysteries, Sherlock Holmes fans would be amazed at just how far the detective from 22 Baker Street has managed to reach.
Them Boxer Short’s Better Life Foundation
Awkwardness makes for great humour. Especially when followed around by a documentary crew.
Them Boxer Short’s Better Life Foundation is immediately reminiscent of mockumentary greats like The Office and Parks and Recreation. Until you are watching an absurd sarcastic clap-off in an NGO in Mumbai and laughing while falling off your chair.
Widely considered to be the funniest web series in India at the moment, Better Life Foundation sparkles with brilliant and assured writing, actors who are adept at playing their genuinely beleagured characters and intricate direction where every eye roll to the camera is timed perfectly.
The first three episodes are so great that latter episodes seem to suffer from a case of high expectations, but for those who enjoy subtle humour and the absurdity of everyday life, this ‘little’ NGO will feel like home.
Arre’s I Don’t Watch TV
Television is an intimate medium. Located in your living room or bedroom, TV stars are more like family; you relate to them because you think you know them.
Until you see Drashti Dhami of the Madhubala fame lighting a cigarette after a tiresome day, and let out abuses at the existential anguish that is life.
Arre’s I Don’t Watch TV deals with the lives of a motley group of television stars. All easily recognisable faces, they struggle with the myriad consequences of television fame and abyss; all the while acting in a web series. It is wonderfully meta, and even better, wonderfully entertaining.
YFilms’ Ladies Room
“Why do all women go to the bathroom in groups?” is a common masculine refrain.
“Because they want to smoke.” Or at least that’s what YFilms’ new series Ladies Room unflinchingly says. Set in six bathrooms and featuring two gutsy leads, Dingo and Khanna, the show takes sexist stereotypes and turns them on its head. Sanitary napkins, abortions and life-lessons about friendship, the two women in the show are not afraid of anything, and have the confidence to show the world exactly why.
Watch it for its unabashed celebration of female friendship, and of course, the absolutely delightful, scatological jokes.
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