With hot weather around the corner, summer in India calls for binge-worthy series with everything from nail-biting thrillers to hard-hitting drama. When OTT platforms are spilling their original content, knowing what to choose next can often feel a bit daunting. That is why we have discovered 11 incredible series that are trending across Netflix, Prime Video, Jio Hotstar, SonyLIV, and more. Check out your next binge-worthy experience with genres spanning crime thrillers, espionage sagas, rural comedies, and regional stories. Tailor your summer viewing plans with our pick of binge-worthy summer series this season.
1. Paatal Lok – Season 2 (Crime Thriller – Prime Video)
Why Should I Watch:
- A great, gripping presentation of cop drama, maintaining tension, while navigating the murky waters of morality.
- Strong performances, especially from Jaideep Ahlawat and Ishwak Singh, give emotional depth and authenticity to the characters.
- The fresh environment of Nagaland, and the stunning landscape and cultural textures are enhanced by diverse dialects and languages, which reinforces the authenticity.
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
Inspector Hathiram and his now-promoted colleague, Imran Ansari, investigate two cases. A missing person investigation and a high-profile murder that appears unrelated. As they begin to investigate in Nagaland, a confusing and complex web of social-political realities and deep-seated issues gradually unfold, testing their strength and ethical beliefs.
2. Special Ops – Season 2 (Espionage Thriller – Jio Hotstar)
Why Should I Watch:
- Engrossing depiction of cyber warfare. A seamless blend of political narrative and human emotion.
- Kay Kay Menon gives a spectacular performance exploring the difficulties of intelligence work in modern times.
- The scope of the production is vast, with a terrific international scope traveling from Georgia to Budapest, a true sense of the cinematic across continents.
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
RAW agent Himmat Singh, is investigating an emerging AI powered cyber threat to national security. The story explores the global ramifications, bringing personal sacrifice, political intrigue and advanced espionage that explores high level agency missions keeping careful watch on the audience.
3. Dabba Cartel (Crime Drama – Netflix)
Reasons to Watch:
- Unique concept: housewives learn to create a drug cartel through a tiffin service.
- Great cast with Shabana Azmi, Jyothika, and Nimisha Sajayan who deliver some heavy emotional performances.
- A highly new and clever take on crime, femininity, and resistance.
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
A food delivery business run by rural women turns into a criminal organization as they work to create their own autonomy and survive their oppressive social conditions.
4. Mistry (Detective Comedy-Drama – Jio Hotstar)
Reasons to Watch:
- A truly original approach to detective shows, featuring a detective with OCD played by Ram Kapoor.
- Witty, funny, very heart-felt, and an unconventional investigation.
- Clever writing and characters that will keep you smiling.
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
Imperfectly perfect, the title character is a detective who investigates crime scenes while navigating her own idiosyncrasies and mental health, simultaneously providing a comedic and heartfelt portrait about justice.
5. Panchayat – Season 4 (Comedy-Drama – Prime Video)
Why Watch:
- The relatable journey of Abhishek Tripathi continues with a warm melding of rural satire and heartfelt storytelling.
- Successful balance of humor, social relevance, and emotional heft.
- Overall, comforting nostalgia for viewers who like their stories grounded.
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
Our favorite village secretary is back–with more quirks, more lessons, and more laughs–as he encounters twists and tribulations rooted in rural life; imbued with levity and warmth.
6. Mandala Murders (Supernatural Crime Thriller – Netflix)
Why Watch:
- Both mythology and mystery combine in a hauntingly peculiar small-town setting.
- Strong performances by Vaani Kapoor and first-timers and delivered within rich visuals.
- Intellectually stimulating storytelling, with slow reveals intended to drum up bubbling secrets.
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
As a series of ritualistic murders unfolds, two cops become entrenched in a risk-laden twisting cult mythology, intercut with supernatural conjectures—creating an uneasy platform for faith, belief, logic, and justice.
7. Dupahiya (Comedy-Drama – Prime Video)
Why Watch:
- What starts from a simple premise quickly brings to light a timely and significant examination of caste and ethical judgments.
- A strong ensemble delivers natural, emotionally-connected performances.
- Exquisitely grounded storytelling—feels rural and authentic.
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
When a bike goes missing in the middle of village life, it evokes a sense of humor, a sense of heart, and a sense of societal exploration, in a narrative that is both consequential and inconsequential.
8. Court Kacheri (Legal Comedy-Drama – SonyLIV)
Why Watch:
- A courtroom-placed narrative that feels witty, relevant, and grounded in Indian sensibility.
- It offers a way to set dry satire in emotional arcs—making courtroom drama something grounded while engaging.
- A range of characters offer confrontation, humour, and sincerity to the courtroom setting
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
An ordinary lawyer must battle for his legacy—and community—to survive an ingenious, but sincere, courtroom battle.
9. The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case (Historical Thriller – SonyLIV)
Why Watch:
- Bringing suspense through a layering of journalistic rigor and political sensitivity.
- A deep dive into a shaping moment in Indian political history.
- An intricate narrative with emotional and ethical heft carried through layered performance
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
A well-researched dramatization that captures the complexity, danger, and moral motives at stake in one of India’s most decisive investigations.
10. Kanneda (Crime Drama – Jio Hotstar)
Why Watch:
- An unrelenting portrayal of the Indian diaspora navigating crime and identity in Vancouver.
- An immediate performance from Parmish Verma carries a narrative rarely probed in Indian OTT.
- Socio-cultural nuance and emotional cultural dissonance continue to drive the series.
Summary (Spoiler-Free):
A Punjabi immigrant is pulled between survival and culture, as he makes his way into the dangerous underworld—grappling with community, identity, and ambition.
11. The Waking of a Nation (Historical Drama – SonyLIV)
Why Watch:
- Directed by Ram Madhvani, an award-winning director known for his thoughtful and impactful narrative style.
- Reframes the horrific Jallianwala Bagh event through telling an immersive dramatized story.
- Has a quiet power to illuminate nuanced perspectives, of a devastating experience in history.
Summary (No Spoilers):
A visceral, emotionally drawn narrative about the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that reflects on an aspect of colonial history through a multitude of perspectives in order to humanize a tragic episode in colonial history.
Final Thoughts
Whatever your genre, language and sensibility, this summer, celebrate your OTT watch list by adding these moving, thoughtful and imaginative series that will please. The commonalities of the series are that they are well-crafted stories, and offer a unique contribution to the story telling landscape. If its the dark realism of Paatal Lok, the dry wit of Panchayat, or the mythic crime of Mandala Murders, they will stimulate your practiced thought and you will binge enjoy!
| Series | Platform | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Paatal Lok – Season 2 | Prime Video | Crime Thriller |
| Special Ops – Season 2 | Jio Hotstar | Espionage Thriller |
| Dabba Cartel | Netflix | Crime Drama |
| Mistry | Jio Hotstar | Detective Comedy-Drama |
| Panchayat – Season 4 | Prime Video | Comedy-Drama |
| Mandala Murders | Netflix | Supernatural Crime Thriller |
| Dupahiya | Prime Video | Comedy-Drama |
| Court Kacheri | Sony LIV | Legal Comedy-Drama |
| The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case | Sony LIV | Historical Thriller |
| Kanneda | Jio Hotstar | Crime Drama |
| The Waking of a Nation | Sony LIV | Historical Drama |
Loved this list? Explore our other blogs on InsiderXP for more curated OTT recommendations, trending entertainment picks, and insider reviews – and join the conversation by sharing your favorite series in the comments!
