“It is a huge saga about the courtesans of Lahore"
The year 2022, will be massive, especially for Netflix India Originals. Some of the Indian content coming on Netflix was delayed due to COVID-19.
However, there is also some fresh content releasing in 2022 on the popular global platform.
Production company Excel Entertainment is to make its presence felt, with several web shows coming to this very successful platform.
Web series such as Heera Mandi and Baahubali: Before the Beginning will provide vibrancy, costumes and marvellous sets.
The Madhuri Dixit starter Fiding Ana will be one of the major highlights in terms of Netflix India Original.
We showcase a comprehensive rundown of the 15 top upcoming Netflix India Originals that are worth watching.
Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein
Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein is amongst the most awaited Netflix India Originals.
The TV show is a direction of Sidharth Sengupta, with Anahata Menon and Varu Badola being the writers. The production of Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein is by Edgestorm Pictures.
The crime web series stars Tahir Raj Bhasin, Shweta Tripathi, Anchal Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Surya Sharma, Brijendra Kala, Arunoday Singh, Anant Joshi, Sunita Rajwar, and Hetal Gada.
A synopsis of the web series states more about the web series:
“Think of the most dreaded villain! What if he has a daughter who truly, deeply, madly falls in love with you?
“What if you don’t love her back [and] what if you are in love with someone else?”
“How will you say no and get out of the situation? After all, quite like her father, she’s not likely to take ‘no’ for an answer.
“A romantic simpleton finds himself in the middle of this crossfire in Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, a dark comical pulpy desi thriller about three things that matter the most in the country: paisa, taqat aur pyaar.”
The official trailer of this programme came out on December 21, 2021. The web series will become available from January 14, 2022.
Baahubali: Before the Beginning
Baahubali: Before the Beginning is one of the most ambitious Netflix India Originals. It takes inspiration from novels by Anand Neelakantan
They include The Rise of Sivagami (2017), Chaturanga (2020) and Queen of Mahismathi (2020).
Punjabi actress, Wamiqa Gabbi plays the lead role of Sivagami. Rahul Bose (Skandadasa) and Atul Kulkarni (Pattarya) are also playing pivotal characters.
Kunal Deshmukh and Ribhu Dasgupta have come into the equations as they are co-directing the series. A source told Bollywood Hungama, the changes in personnel and budget:
“Praveen Sattaru and Deva Katta were initially directing the Baahubali – Before The Beginning show for Netflix.
“Though 30% was already shot the streaming giant was not too happy with the result, and ordered a re-shoot.
“However, this time Netflix amped up the budget of the venture to Rs. 200 cr and to ensure that it was done in a fashion that they saw fit, new directors have been brought on board to take the project forward.”
“Keeping Netflix’s vision for the show in mind, Bollywood directors Kunal Deshmukh and Ribhu Dasgupta have been roped in to helm the venture.”
The audience can expect a lot of fictional history in this 2 season series, comprising nine episodes each.
Choona
Choona is one of the most exciting Netflix India Originals, which will become available on the platform from 2022.
The comedy heist web series will see Indian actor Jimmy Shergill make his Netflix debut.
Revolving around state politics, the setting of the series is in Uttar Pradesh. A source reveals more about Jimmy’s character and the narrative to The Free Press Journal:
“Jimmy has a really interesting character of a politician.”
“And, how politics and crime are intertwined is the basic crux of the story.”
Interestingly, Jimmy actually grew up in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Growing up in the state certainly gives Jimmy the edge with his role.
Actors Gyanendra Tripathi, Atul Srivastava, Namit Dad, Vikram Kochhar and Aashim Gulati are also starting in Choona.
Netflix India made an official announcement about the series on June 16, 2021, posting an image of the cast members via Twitter.
Puspendra Nath of Taj Mahal 1989 fame is directing this satire web show.
Dabba Cartel
Dabba Cartel is a forthcoming web series, courtesy of Excel Entertainment. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani head this big production house.
In 2021, the company signed a multi-year deal with Netflix. This is exciting for Netflix, as Dabba Cartel is one of three Excel web series coming on the platform.
Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content, Netflix India praised the Excel duo, welcoming them along:
“They have continuously pushed the boundaries of entertainment and given us stories that have stood the test of time. We are delighted to welcome them to Netflix.”
Speaking about the partnership, Farhan and Ritesh made a joint statement:
“We’re excited with the opportunity to create a variety of extraordinary stories to entertain people in India and around the world. We are thrilled to begin this next chapter with Netflix.”
The Variety describes, Dabba Cartel as “a story of five housewives who run a high stakes secret cartel.”
The series will explore many themes, including drive, romance, camaraderie to mention a few. The setting of the series has a 196os Mumbai jazz rich background.
Eternally Confused and Eager for Love
Eternally Confused and Eager for Love is one of the most romantic Netflix India Originals.
It is a collaboration between Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Films run by Zoya Akhtar. She is the eldest daughter of writer Javed Akhtar and actress Honey Irani.
Zoya is also the elder sister of talented actor, director, producer and writer Farhan Akhtar.
The web series has an impressive lineup of Suchitra Pillai, Rahul Bose, Himanee Bhatia, and Vihaan Samat.
Vibhaan has appeared in previous interesting Netflix India Originals, including Mismatched (2020) and Bombay Begums (2021)
From December 2020 and onwards, shooting for this promising web series had taken place.
The audience will have to watch the series when it comes to finding more about the plot.
Having said that, it should be a good watch, especially with production powerhouses joining forces together.
Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives 2
Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives 2 is one of the most popular reality Netflix India Originals.
The series returns for a second season, following the personal and professional lives of four Bollywood wives.
They include Bhavna Pandey, Maheep Kapoor, Neelam Kothari Soni and Seema Khan. Their family members keep recurring in the series as well.
The series somewhat takes inspiration from Keeping Up With The Kardashians (2018).
On November 27, 2021, Neelam went on Twitter to post a teaser, which features text flashing in the video, stating:
“You have no idea what is coming your way.”
Confirming the shooting of the series, Neelam added a caption to her video post, which read:
“We’re coming back to your screens! Season 2 of the Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives is now filming! ??????????????? I’m sooo excited!!!!
Fans who like all things Bollywood love this web series, which is full of masala. One of the key facets of season one was Maheep’s outspoken and caring nature.
Finding Anamika
Finding Anamika is one of the most exciting Netflix India Originals coming up. The crime family drama features Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit in the lead role.
The web series has two directors in Karishma Kohli and Bejoy Nambiar. The Dharmatic Entertainment production has three producers.
They include Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra. The web series also has other stars, including Sanjay Kapoor, Manav Kaul, Lakshvir Saran, Suhasini Muley and Muskkaan Jaferi.
Madhuri and Sanjay last came together on screen in the film Mohabbat (1997).
On March 3, 2021, Madhuri excitedly went on Twitter, confirming her involvement in the series with a boogie-woogie:
“I’m thrilled to announce I will be part of the Netflix original series Finding Anamika.
“Excuse me, while I do a happy dance to celebrate!”
The suspense series follows a worldwide megastar, wife, and mother (Madhuri Dixit) who unexpectedly disappears without any leads.
Whilst the police and those precious to her trace leads for her vanishing, the series reveals secret facts and hurtful dishonesties about the life of a top actress.
The official trailer of the series made its way via YouTube on September 26, 2021, accumulating over 1.5 million views.
Heera Mandi
Heera Mandi is one of the most magnificent Netflix India Originals that is lined up for 2022. It is a pet project of grandeur Indian filmmaker, Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The setting for the series is the red light district area of Lahore during pre-partition India.
The web show will uncover a variety of themes, including romance, disloyalty and the ‘kothas’ (brothels) political space.
With Bhansali leading on it, the audience can expect a mesmerising and magical series. Divulging on the series, Bhansali told Variety:
“It is a huge saga about the courtesans of Lahore, it is something I was living with for 14 years. It’s very vast and ambitious.”
He went on to explain the complexities of this personal favourite web series of his:
“It’s a very difficult one, I like to take a little time and the scale is big. I live with a subject for a long time, then I build and build and I keep thinking of it…
“So it’s a lot of time I give to a particular idea, but it’s great fun. That’s how it finally emerges.”
A source reveals to Bollywood Hungama that season one will comprise seven episodes.
Indian Matchmaking 2
Indian Matchmaking 2 is a forthcoming documentary web series on Netflix.
Actress and matchmaker Sima Taparia returns to assist the love lives of some existing faces and new single individuals from across the world.
These global “singletons” put all their faith in Sima who they recognise as an expert in matchmaking.
Netflix India took to Instagram on August 11, 2021, sharing a picture of the matchmaking aunty, with a caption reading:
“Keep your Biodata ready because Sima aunty is returning with Season 2 of Indian Matchmaking”
Fans were quick to comment, expressing their excitement about the upcoming web series.
Indian Matchmaking 2 is a production of The Intellectual Property Corporation by Industrial Media. Aaron Saidman, Eli Holzman, Smriti Mundhra, and JC Begley are the executive producers of the series.
Created by Smrithi Mundra, season one of the series went on to receive a 2021 Emmy nomination.
Indian Predator
Indian Predator should be one of the most fascinating Netflix India Originals for 2022. News Organisations India Today and Vice Media collaborate for this crime docuseries.
Vice Studios president Kate Ward provides an insight to Royal Television Society (RTS) about Indian specific content:
“It is content that hasn’t been [seen] before in the unscripted space and is delivered with an authentic local perspective.”
Netflix on the other hand describes the horrifying fact-based series, mentioning:
“Indian Predator is a thrilling and suspenseful docu-series, that attempts to decode the minds of some of India’s deadliest killers.
“The series uncovers the never-before-heard details of gruesome killings as individuals who were at the epicenter of these crimes talk about what went down.”
Fans of a factual web show will appreciate this series, be it with some chilling moments. The series will keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Mai
Mai is a crime political drama, with some thrilling elements to it. The production banner of actress Anuskha Sharma, Clean Slate Filmz, teams up with Netflix for the second time.
The other producer of the series is Karnesh Sharma, with Anshai Lal and Atul Mongia jointly taking the director’s chair.
Indian actress Sakshi Tanwar plays the main role in the web series, as a 47-year-old woman from a middle-class background.
Portraying a challenging character, circumstances lead her to the underworld in the series.
On March 3, 2021, Anushka went on Instagram to share a picture, featuring Sakshi with a vulnerable individual.
She also wrote a brief note about the series, along with an official announcement:
“Oh, Mai! What happens when a docile, 47-year-old wife-and-mother finds herself accidentally sucked into a rabbit hole of violence and power? WE WILL SOON FIND OUT.
“{I’m excited to announce our Netflix original series, Mai, that follows timid Sheel into an entanglement with crime and politics that will forever change her and the world she inhabits.
“Are you ready?”
Wamiqa Gabbi, Vivek Mushran, Prashant Narayanan, Raima Dev Varma and Seema Pahwa are also starring in the series.
Masaba Masaba 2
Masaba Masaba 2 is one of the most riveting biographical Netflix India Originals. Indian fashion designer Masaba Gupta comes back for the second season of this biopic-comedy drama.
Similar to season one, it will also star her mother and actress Neena Gupta. Season two will zoom more on the life of the fashion designer.
Masaba shed exclusive thoughts to Mid-Day as to what viewers can expect:
“I get to show a different side of myself in season 2 and I can’t wait to see what the audience will think about it. It’s going to be twice the laughter, twice the tears and twice the fun!”
On September 23, 2021, Masaba went on Instagram to post a video, which sees herself on set holding a clapperboard. In the caption, she had also written:
“42 days. Lots of laughs, tears, anxieties, pure happiness, deep tiredness later it’s a wrap on season 2.
“Three cheers to the incredible cast, crew (Dr. K) & everyone who was a part of this! See you on your @netflix_in screens soonish!”
Like season one, Masaba Masaba 2 is likely to have six episodes.
Queen of the Hill
Queen of the Hill is an upcoming Indian web series with a focus on women. It is yet another series, coming courtesy of Excel Entertainment.
The Variety writes about the setting and the story of the web series:
“Queen of the Hill, set in the 1960s, chronicles the dynamic relationship between two ambitious women that will change their city forever.”
A source revealing about the series in context to Mumbai said:
“The touch has a very Bombay Velvet feel.”
Karan Anshuman who directed the very popular Mirzapur (2018) is directing the series. Prominent faces are expected to feature in season one of this series.
This series and others produced by Excel Entertainment will certainly bolster the catalogue for Netflix India Originals in 2022.
Rana Naidu
Rana Naidu is a crime action-drama, featuring two superstars from South India. Actor Rana Daggubati and his uncle Venkatesh Daggubati will for the first time, share screen space, in this web series.
The production is an official adaptation of the popular American SHOWTIME ®
drama series, Ray Donovan (2013).
The series focuses on the life of Rana Naidu, the focal point for all in Bollywood, especially when there is a problem.
On September 22, 2021, Rana went on Instagram to share a picture with his uncle and the excitement of working with a senior family member:
“Always wanted to share the screen with my uncle the VICTORY V and my dream is finally coming true.
“As much as I love him off screen, in ‘Rana Naidu’ we are going to be at each other’s throats. #RanaNaidu, coming soon on Netflix.”
Sharing the same image, Uncle Venkatesh, went on Twitter, praising his nephew, with a piece of cautionary advice:
“I’ve seen @RanaDaggubati grow up right in front of me from a young boy to a fine actor. But in Rana Naidu he better watch out. #RanaNaidu, coming soon on Netflix.”
A production of Rana Naidu Locomotive Global Media LLP, the series is co-directed by Karan Anshuman and Suparn Verma.
Social Currency
Social Currency is one of the most interesting reality Netflix India Originals for 2022.
The web series follows 8 top influencers from India, who had spent around twenty-one days without their phones in a lavish villa.
This meant also not being able to communicate with their huge followers using personally verified handles. According to the official Social Currency Instagram account, the description mentions:
“Eight influencers. One social experiment. Kya aap ho taiyaar?”
The so-called “social experiment”, which began on October 9, 2021, came to a finish on November 5, 2021.
Fazila Allana, Kamna Menezes, Sanvari Alagh Nair, Meghana Badola and Chad Greulach are the creators of this series.
Besides the above there are many other web series planning to release on Netflix in 2022, These include the likes of Delhi Crime 2 and Mismatched 2.
Netflix India Originals 2022 will surely have something for everyone – be it entertainment, amusement as well as being educational and having thrilling values.
So, put your feet up in 2022 and enjoy these and other Netflix India Originals.
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