Netflix is making a big push in India and understandably so. With a population of over 1.3 billion, even ten percent of that will almost double Netflix’s global subscriber base. Not only is it rapidly expanding its Indian catalog, but is also testing out cheaper mobile-only plans to make it more accessible. But Netflix is also doing what it does best – create original content.
There’s a growing number of Hindi and regional language movies and TV shows that Netflix has bought or produced and it has even bigger plans going forward. It’s limited for now, but here are some of the best original Hindi movies and series on Netflix!
Best original Hindi movies and series on Netflix:
Best Netflix Original Hindi movies
Best Netflix Original Hindi series
Note: This list focuses on original Netflix content because there’s too many to choose from otherwise. I’ll include some recommendations in the special mentions section though. We’ll continue to update this list as more original Hindi movies and series are released on Netflix.
Best Original Hindi movies on Netflix
Love per square foot
“Love per square foot” follows the lives of Sanjay (Vicky Kaushal) and Karina (Angira Dhar). Buying a home is a dream that neither can achieve individually. A couple-friendly home loan scheme leads to a marriage of convenience. Hijinx ensues as they struggle to figure out their increasingly complicated lives. This a fun, quirky comedy that has its fair share of moments. The premise is a touch farcical, but it’s ultimately a story about the value of money, family, and love. Strong performances help overcome the constraints of the story. At over two hours, it does run a little long though.
Soni
Soni (Geetika Vidya Ohlan) is a young cop in the Delhi police force. She works closely with her superintendent, Kalpana (Saloni Batra), to fight growing incidents of violent crimes against women. A professional setback and difficult personal situations derail their plans.
As loathe as we might be to admit it, Soni is an incredibly relevant film in today’s day and age. It tackles the misogyny that women face every day, but without getting preachy or by overtly pointing fingers. It’s an uncomfortable truth that any and every woman will attest to. It’s also something that those in power and society as a whole need to address. Soni may not be a movie for the masses, but it is one that everyone should see.
Lust Stories
Lust Stories is an anthology movie comprised of four short films by some of India’s best directors – Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, and Anurag Kashyap. An apparent sequel to Bombay Talkies (2013), Lust Stories explores love, sex, and relationships in modern India.
Lust Stories provides an honest look at sexuality and modern relationships. It doesn’t go out of its way to be provocative or offensive, but tackles a topic that you’ll rarely see discussed in mainstream cinema or TV. The good news for fans of their work is that all four directors are set to return for a sequel called Ghost Stories, a horror anthology, that is expected to premiere on Netflix in 2020.
Special mentions
- One of my absolute favorite recent Hindi movies on Netflix is Andhadhun, starring Ayushman Khurana and Tabu. When the movie ruins its most interesting twist at the beginning, you can’t imagine it doing any worse. However, that’s just the start of a thrill-ride that is packed with more twists and turns than you’ll know what to do with.
- Fans of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Akshay Kumar will be impressed by the range of their films available on Netflix. You’ll only find a bunch of old Salman Khan movies though.
- Some more random favorites of mine – Dhrishyam, Queen, Special 26, Dear Zindagi, Stree, and Piku, just to name a few.
Best Original Hindi series on Netflix
Sacred Games
Indian television is divided into three segments – soap operas, comedies, and reality TV. Compelling, thrilling television with episodes that drop once a week and with limited runs was a foreign concept until the idea of the web series took hold. Some of the best TV you can see in India is online. This segment was ripe for the picking and Netflix was right on the money with its first Original Hindi series – Sacred Games.
It’s a familiar enough story. Cops vs Gangsters. But take away the limitations of a Censor board, add the general “anything goes” attitude of web content, and you have a winner on your hands. The ensemble cast, including high flyers like Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui, delivers excellent performances as well. The great news for fans is that a second season should drop soon.
Delhi Crime
Delhi Crime, starring Shefali Shah, is based around the aftermath of the horrific “Nirbhaya” case from 2012 (I’m not going to go into any detail here) that shocked the nation and jolted the powers that be into action. It’s a compelling true crime drama that gets as uncomfortable as the subject matter demands. Shock, grief, and anger are what you’ll feel as the show kicks off. The series then focuses on the next few days as the Delhi Police investigate and arrest all those responsible. It’s dark, disturbing, and gritty, but an excellent watch nonetheless.
Little Things
Little Things, starring Mithila Palkar and Dhruv Sehgal, is a fantastic exploration of modern relationships in India. The ups and downs, the struggle to deal with life, work, love, and everything in between, is beautifully showcased in this series. It was actually a YouTube series produced by Dice Media a couple of years ago. It was then picked up by Netflix for a second season (both seasons are now on Netflix) with more, and longer, episodes. If you’re looking for something that’s equal parts sweet and heartbreaking, Little Things is a great binge.
Ghoul
Netflix followed up Sacred Games with Ghoul. It’s a compelling horror series that takes its inspiration from Arab folklore. The story is set in a dystopian future with a fascist regime in power. The interrogation of a suspected terrorist goes wrong, resulting in a variety of supernatural events to occur.
Ghoul is produced by Blumhouse, that has made horror its business with other great releases like Jordan Peele’s Get Out. Most good horror in recent years has Blumhouse or Jason Blum involved in some way, and Ghoul is no different. Netflix favorite Radhika Apte stars in this three-part miniseries that is bound to keep your heart racing.
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