We all binge-watch to escape. Superheroes, thrillers, fantasy worlds – they pull us away from the noise in our heads. But sometimes, you need something real. Something that reminds you where you come from, what you’ve lived, and what still matters. These are the shows that don’t sugarcoat life. They show the small fights, the quiet dinners, the heartbreaks, and the hope that keeps us going.
Here’s a list of OTT shows that feel less like fiction and more like life itself.
Little Things
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IMDb Rating : 8.2/10
Star Cast :
Mithila Palkar, Dhruv Sehgal
Release Year : 2016-2021
OTT Platform : Netflix
This show doesn’t have a big plot. No villains. No shock factor. Just a couple figuring out adulthood one day at a time.
Why Watch :
Because life isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about the everyday stuff – late-night talks, unspoken comfort, and the silence between two people who just get each other. Little Things feels like sitting with someone who understands you without words.
Kota Factory
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IMDb Rating : 9/10
Star Cast :
Jitendra Kumar, Mayur More, Ranjan Raj
Release Year : 2019-2023
OTT Platform : Netflix
Be ready to step inside a world that’s both inspiring and heartbreaking – the life of students preparing for IIT in Kota.
Why Watch :
Because behind every topper is a sleepless story. Kota Factory captures what every Indian student has felt at least once – pressure, fear, friendship, and the question, “Am I good enough?” It’s black and white for a reason – it strips away glamour and leaves only the truth.
Made in Heaven
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IMDb Rating : 8.3/10
Star Cast :
Sobhita Dhulipala, Arjun Mathur, Jim Sarbh
Release Year : 2019-present
OTT Platform : Amazon Prime Video
It’s not a love story – it’s the truth hiding behind expensive weddings.
Why Watch :
Every episode rips open the glittery surface of Indian society – class divide, gender hypocrisy, and the quiet pain behind “perfect” couples. Made in Heaven is beautiful, but it stings. It’s not escapism; it’s confrontation.
The Family Man
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IMDb Rating : 8.7/10
Star Cast :
Manoj Bajpayee, Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi
Release Year : 2019-present
OTT Platform : Amazon Prime Video
A spy series that feels more middle-class than military.
Why Watch :
Because Srikant Tiwari is not James Bond – he’s every Indian father who forgets his kid’s PTM while saving the country. The beauty of The Family Man is its balance – action and emotion, duty and guilt. It’s about how even heroes get tired, but still show up.
Aspirants
Image : Pinterest
IMDb Rating : 9.2/10
Star Cast :
Naveen Kasturia, Sunny Hinduja, Shivankit Parihar
Release Year : 2021-present
OTT Platform : Amazon Prime Video
This show doesn’t glorify success; it glorifies the journey.
Why Watch :
Every episode hits where it hurts. Aspirants talks about failure, friendship, and hope with such honesty that you start seeing your younger self in every character. It reminds you that dreams don’t always come true, but they still make you who you are.
Gullak
Image : Pinterest
IMDb Rating : 9.1/10
Star Cast :
Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Harsh Mayar
Release Year : 2019-present
OTT Platform : SonyLIV
Think of this as a soft reset for your heart.
Why Watch :
Gullak is a middle-class masterpiece. No fancy camera work, no heavy drama – just a small-town family with their small dreams and endless warmth. You’ll laugh, you’ll tear up, and you’ll end up calling your parents after watching it. It’s that real.
Conclusion
These shows are not made to impress; they’re made to connect. They bring you back to reality – not the loud, dramatic one – but the quiet, unfiltered life we often ignore. They remind you of the smell of home-cooked food, the weight of expectations, the beauty of friendships that stay even when life doesn’t go as planned. If you ever feel lost, pick one of these shows. Let them slow you down. Let them remind you – real life is still worth watching.