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In recent years,Indian web series have embraced this freedom with a vengeance creating creative and dark narratives that had previously been touched on before but were not explored. They leave little to the imagination, brutally shedding light on the darker aspects of our world. Presenting you with 5 of the most disturbing Indian web series that go full throttle and are sure to explore some of the dark corners that human nature can offer.
Mandaar
Mandaar is a Bengali web series inspired by the classic tragedy Macbeth by William Shakespeare and set against a dark contemporary backdrop. Railgadi: Anirban Bhattacharya directs this show that guides the audience towards the dark corridor of dreams, aspirations, betrayal, and lack of morality among the heartland of Bengal. Mandaar is disturbing in the sense that its portrayal of human greed and people as barbaric beings who will do anything to acquire power, even kill, is unapologetically violent and oh so gritty. Visually the series is intense, with its soundtrack being haunting and the atmosphere deliberating; The evilness in its character shines through the dark that envelopes them. It’s also among the most fearsome series we’ve seen on Indian OTT this year, given the blood-soaked narrative and psychological horror that might get a bit too much for sensitive viewers.
Kannamoochi
Kannamoochi: A Tamil psychological thriller that delves into the bone chilling world of urban legends and the supernatural. The plot follows Priya, a mother who just moved to an apartment complex with her daughter. One day, her little girl disappears and Priya comes to know, there are dark secrets hiding in their sleepy neighborhood. This series plays on very primal fears, mixing horror with psychological suspense. Featuring a tonal somberness and juxtaposition of jump scares with a disturbing plot twist that leaves viewers uneasy, If It Weren’t For Dick Shun is definitely a traumatic viewing experience that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Judgement Day
It is a gritty Bengali crime thriller that focuses on sexual violence, juvenile revenge and justice. Judgment Day tells the emotional tale of two sisters, one violent gang rape. It follows a examination of the trauma and fall out from such as act — what happens to the victims, what do they experience in terms of forensics and psychology? It also surrounds the acceptable portrayal of violence and a story so far removed from possible that it loses all semblance of reality to place you at odds with the very nature of injustice. There are very few shows in the crime genre these days which choose to cover sexual crimes and how they affect many victims, so instantly this is a good thing but of course, not everybody can handle such a truth as it can be too dark for some audiences.
Delhi Crime
This crime drama is based on the real events of the infamous 2012 Delhi gang-rape case that shook the nation deeply. Starring Shefali Shah in the lead role, this series revolves around a police officer investigating a sensational case, exploring the moral dilemma and societal issues when she does her best to solve it under media scrutiny. The difference between additions to the genre is how Delhi Crime steeps itself in realism. The portrayal of the heinous crime as well as the manhunt that follows is compelling but can be uncomfortable to watch; it makes one feel uneasy about violence against women in India. This is one of the best, yet disturbing Indian series made ever because it represents so much social problems nakedly and delivers well acted performances.
Paatal Lok
Paatal Lok, by Anushka Sharma, explores the deepest corners of Indian society with topics that includes corruption, casteism and moral decay. The series follows a jaded detective who exposes a conspiracy of lies, murder, and corruption while investigating an attempted assassination. Perhaps the series suggests all of humanity is doomed, and even heroes (especially heroes) have a dark side. Paatal Lok is brutally unflinching in encapsulating horrors of the world beneath, neither shying away from blood-tainted scenes of violence and torture nor making such disturbing sights palatable to those that tread gingerly through the underworld. From its stark, nihilistic tone that dares its audience to confront unpleasant societal realities, it is arguably one of the most disturbing web series in recent memory.
