OTT platforms have changed how India watches stories. Earlier, TV and Bollywood films were the only options, but now Hindi web series and films on OTT are pushing boundaries. They bring bold scripts, strong performances, and storytelling that feels closer to real life. Some of these shows didn’t just entertain – they made audiences pause, think, and applaud.
Here’s a list of Hindi OTT releases that genuinely deserve a standing ovation.
Paatal Lok
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IMDb Rating : 8.1/10
Star Cast :
Jaideep Ahlawat, Neeraj Kabi, Abhishek Banerjee, Gul Panag
Release Year : 2020
OTT Platform : Amazon Prime Video
This crime thriller digs into the dark corners of Indian society – from politics and media to caste and corruption. Sudip Sharma’s writing doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths.
Why Watch :
Jaideep Ahlawat delivers one of the finest performances in a Hindi OTT show. The layered storytelling and raw realism make Paatal Lok worth every bit of applause.
Delhi Crime (Season 1)
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IMDb Rating : 8.5/10
Star Cast :
Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Rajesh Tailang
Release Year : 2019
OTT Platform : Netflix
Based on the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, Richie Mehta’s Delhi Crime doesn’t sensationalize. Instead, it focuses on the investigation and the emotional toll on police officers.
Why Watch :
It became the first Indian series to win an International Emmy Award. Shefali Shah’s portrayal of DCP Vartika Chaturvedi is powerful, making this series impossible to ignore.
Sacred Games
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IMDb Rating : 8.5/10
Star Cast :
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Saif Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi
Release Year : 2018
OTT Platform : Netflix
The first Indian Netflix original, Sacred Games became a cultural moment. Based on Vikram Chandra’s novel, it mixed crime, politics, and religion in a way that felt larger than life.
Why Watch :
Ganesh Gaitonde, played by Nawazuddin, became an unforgettable character. The show deserves credit for opening global doors for Hindi OTT content.
Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story
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IMDb Rating : 9.3/10
Star Cast :
Pratik Gandhi, Shreya Dhanwanthary
Release Year : 2020
OTT Platform : SonyLIV
Hansal Mehta turned a financial scandal into gripping drama. The series captures Harshad Mehta’s rise and fall with perfect detail, backed by an unforgettable theme score.
Why Watch :
Pratik Gandhi’s performance put him on the map. With one of the highest IMDb ratings for an Indian series, this show deserves a standing ovation for its execution.
Made in Heaven
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IMDb Rating : 8.3/10
Star Cast :
Sobhita Dhulipala, Arjun Mathur, Jim Sarbh, Kalki Koechlin
Release Year : 2019
OTT Platform :Amazon Prime Video
The series takes you into the big fat Indian wedding world, but beneath the glamour lies hypocrisy, identity struggles, and social judgment.
Why Watch :
It’s bold, layered, and emotional. Made in Heaven deserves recognition for bringing fresh themes rarely shown in mainstream Indian entertainment.
Kota Factory
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IMDb Rating : 9/10
Star Cast :
Jitendra Kumar, Mayur More
Release Year : 2019
OTT Platform : Netflix
Shot in black-and-white, this series focuses on students chasing IIT dreams in Kota. It captures pressure, friendship, and the reality behind exam prep.
Why Watch :
Unlike dramatized student stories, Kota Factory feels authentic. That’s why it gets a standing ovation – for staying real and relatable.
Aarya
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IMDb Rating : 7.9/10
Star Cast :
Sushmita Sen, Chandrachur Singh
Release Year : 2020
OTT Platform : Disney+ Hotstar
Adapted from the Dutch show Penoza, Aarya marks Sushmita Sen’s comeback. It follows a mother pulled into her husband’s crime business after his sudden death.
Why Watch :
Sushmita Sen owns the screen with fierce presence. The mix of family drama and crime thriller gives it that applause-worthy edge.
Conclusion
OTT platforms gave India more than entertainment – they gave space for fearless storytelling. Scam 1992 became a phenomenon, Delhi Crime won international awards, Paatal Lok and Sacred Games broke stereotypes, while Kota Factory and Made in Heaven connected deeply with real audiences. These are not just series – they’re milestones. And yes, these Hindi OTT releases truly deserve a standing ovation.