Writers and directors in regional languages are experimenting across genres with new writing styles to tell their stories well. From action-dramas and thrillers to rom-coms and family entertainers, here's a list of some interesting Telugu web series that are worth your time this holiday season.
Streaming Platform: Zee5
Cast: Deepak Shetty, Sruthi Jayan, Satyadev Kancharla, Karthik Ratnam, Chandini Chowdary, Vijay Adiraj, John Kottoly, Sriram, Samyukta Hornadu
Set in the village of Dharmapuri at the border of Rayalaseema and Karnataka, this action drama thrives on mining mafia, politics, power and greed. The story goes back two generations to the late 70s, when Pratap Reddy and his family turn kingmakers of Dharmapuri through sheer violence. Over time, the tables turn, and Pratap Reddy is the target of his former confidants.
Streaming Platform: Aha
Cast: Udbhav Raghunandan, Punarnavi Bhupalam, Vishnu Oi, Venkatesh Kakumanu
Commit Mental is the remake of India's much-loved web series Permanent Roommates by TVF. Meet Anu and Phani and their crazy indecisiveness about marriage that makes them go mental. There is a jolt in the bittersweet three-year long-distance relationship when Phani proposes to Anu. Do they really make it to the wedding?
Streaming Platform: VIU OTT
Cast: Varshini Sounderajan, Abhijeet Duddala, Krishna Teja, Moin
Your dear ones are getting hitched but you're unable to enjoy it in the new normal? Well, enjoy the wedding shenanigans in this quirky family entertainer. Pelli Gola is all about Jaggu, Varun, and their families, and stories revolving around marriage ceremonies. The series, spread over three seasons, portrays the story of how this couple learns to be happy after the wedding, amid their contrasting career choices and personalities.
Streaming Platform: Aha
Cast: Navdeep Pallapolu, Hebah Patel, Bindu Madhavi, Chandini Chowdary, Akshara Gowda & Raja Chembolu
Masti's, created by Krish Jagarlamudi, is a tale of six people from contrasting backgrounds dealing with their own issues. The lives of these characters come together in the glamorous lounge 'Masti's', gifted by lecherous businessman Pranav to his wife Gowri. Besides the couple, the humble manager, gullible waitress and an aspiring singer discover unprecedented moments of love and friendship at Masti's, while navigating their way through work and life.
Streaming Platform: Amazon Prime
Cast: Jagapathi Babu, Navdeep, Apoorva Arora, Shwetha Basu Prasad, Sidhu Jonnalagada, Posani Nageswara Rao
Fans of meta films will take a shine to this series, which revolves around a film shooting with two adamant movie stars, ex-lovers aspiring to break into the industry and an ailing badass gangster. An accidental death pushes all of them into a rollercoaster ride of events, culminating in a crazy climax.
Streaming Platform: A Wirally Original – YouTube
Cast: Manoj Krishna Tanneru, Darshini Sekhar
Geeta and Subbu, the Tom & Jerry couple, cannot stand each other, yet can't live without the other. This love-hate live-in relationship drama explores the daily trivialities of love with a slice of laughter and silly fights. Finally, Geeta and Subbu realise how madly in love they are.
Streaming Platform: Aha
Cast: Satyadev, Samyukta, Sri Lakshmi, Aberaam Varma, Keshav Deepak, Bindu Chandramouli, Vasu Inturi, John Kottoly and Rishikanth
Trapped in a mansion that isn't empty, a mysterious man, two robbers and some invented guests face the wrath of a sinister mastermind. This seven-episode show fuses and horror and psychology for a gripping story of survival.
Streaming Platform: Zee5
Cast: Kaushik Ghantasala, Abhay Bethiganti, Meraj Ahmed and Madhulata Reddy
B. Tech, written by Tharun Bhascker, is an ode to the engineering college students of Hyderabad, affiliated to J.N.T.U., who join the course only to realise their interests lie in other avenues This series is about three B. Tech students — a film buff trying to break in as a director, a bike-lover and a business geek — who dream of making it big. The thorns threaten to shatter their dreams, but do they persist?
Streaming Platform: A ChaiBisket Original – YouTube
Cast: Manoj Krishna Tanneru, Monika Thangalapalli, Rajasekhar Aningi
In an apartment society, a 20-year-old woman mysteriously dies following a heart attack. A filmmaker sets out to make a short film on her. This thriller series adds layers to the narrative through a journal diary, hypnotism and some supernatural elements. The negativity around death, desire and the reason for the woman's death puts the lives of three people in danger.
Streaming Platform: Aha
Cast: Thiruveer, Deepti Sati, Jeniffer Piccinato, Ravi Varma
This is a serious series that aims to portray the least-addressed crimes against women — domestic violence, marital rape and molestation — in the face of an inequitable relationship between a newly-wed couple. It throws the spotlight on the crimes in the lives of married women.
Streaming Platform: SonyLiv and YouTube
Cast: Navdeep, Tejaswi Madivada and Adith Arun
Swati, a graduate from a rural background, influenced by her roommate Swara, transforms to adapt to the western culture of the big city. Swati falls in love with handsome hunks Surya and Rishi. Then, there is her not-so-cool bava who wishes to be her life partner. What unfolds is a fun story of how Swati is forced to choose among the three of them. There's also a small cameo by the Vijay Deverakonda.
Streaming Platform: Aha
Cast: Sai Prasanna, Sudhakar Reddy, Anvesh Micheal, Thanmai Bolt, Jagadessh Pratap, Raj Tirandas, Anusha Nuthala
This is the tale of Raju, a carefree village chap who travels to the city to earn money for clearing the debts of his late father. His fate turns around when he gets the chance to play the lead in a film. The show explores the Telangana way of life, including its accent, and the lives of people who get unexpected opportunities.