MUMBAI: With covid-2019 taking over the world and forcing countries to enter lockdowns, the first half of 2020 has been far from smooth. With people restricted to their homes, web entertainment platforms have played a huge role in providing leisure in these tough times. Web series and films have become a staple in many households.

All platforms have reported an increase in viewership. But the suspension of shooting inevitably meant fewer releases. We did, however, get some stellar web series out of these.

We have compiled a list of top five Indian web series from the first 6 months of 2020.

Paatal Lok: Amazon Prime Video

When four suspects get arrested for the attempted murder of renowned journalist Sanjeev Mehra (Neeraj Kabi), it’s up to a washed-up cop named Hathi Ram Chaudhary (Jaideep Ahlawat) to solve the case. But as he investigates their background, he discovers how the conditions they grew up in are nothing less than hell.

Produced by Anushka Sharma’s Clean Slate Filmz, Paatal Lok stars Abhishek Banerjee, Jagjeet Sandhu, Mairembam Ronaldo Singh, Aasif Khan, Ishwak Singh, and Niharika Lyra Dutt in other key roles.

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Hasmukh: Netflix

Hasmukh revolves around a shy and awkward small-town comedian, Hasmukh Sudia (Vir Das), who discovers that the only way he can perform on stage is if he commits murder right before. What follows is utter mayhem as the bodies begin to pile. With the police hot on his trails but stardom fast approaching, what lies in Hasmukh’s fate?

The web series also features Ranvir Shorey, Suhail Nayyar, Amrita Bagchi, and Ravi Kishan. 

Asur: Voot Select

Nikhil Nair (Barun Sobti) is a teacher in the USA who, unhappy with his current profession, decides to retake his former job as a CBI forensic expert in Delhi. Dhananjay Rajput (Arshad Warsi) is a senior CBI officer embroiled in a case with dead bodies and one serial killer. Will they succeed in catching the ‘Asur’ together?

Riddhi Dogra, Anupriya Goenka, and Sharib Hashmi also feature in this ‘mythologic-thriller’ web series. 

Afsos: Amazon Prime Video

Nakul (Gulshan Devaiah) believes there’s no reason for him to keep on living. His plan is perfect; an assassin has been hired to kill him. Except, he changes his mind but it might be too late now as the killer refuses to back down. To add to this chaos, there’s a chance he might be immortal.

The cast for Afsos includes Anjali Patil, Heeba Shah, Robin Das, Aakash Dahiya, and Jamie Alter. 

Special Ops: Disney+ Hotstar

Himmat Singh (Kay Kay Menon) has been chasing the mastermind behind 2001 parliament attacks, a terrorist named Ikhlak Khan, for 19 years. With him and his team on the cusp of finally ending the manhunt, will they be able to take him down?

Special Ops also features Karan Tacker, Meher Vij, Muzammil Ibrahim, Saiyami Kher, and Vipul Gupta.  

SOURCE – THE ENVOY WEB 

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