Beyond the spotlight: 7 underrated Indian shows and films you shouldn’t miss

Not every Indian show or movie receives the spotlight it deserves. Some quietly arrive on streaming platforms, offering powerful stories, layered characters and emotional depth—only to be discovered later through word of mouth or late-night scrolling. 

These underrated titles may not trend endlessly on social media, but they leave a lasting impression on viewers who stumble upon them. Here’s a closer look at seven Indian shows and films that truly deserved more recognition.

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Ghar Waapsi – JioHotstar

Ghar Waapsi is a gentle, deeply relatable series about returning home when life doesn’t go as planned. The story follows Shekhar Dwivedi (Vishal Vashishtha), a young man whose city dreams collapse after he loses his job. With no direction ahead, he returns to his small hometown and moves back into his parents’ house—a place he once longed to escape.

As Shekhar adjusts to life at home, he reconnects with his old-school father Ratan Lal (Atul Shrivastava), his supportive mother Madhuvanti (Vibha Chibber), and his younger siblings, Sanju (Saad Bilgrami) and Suruchi (Anushka Kaushik), each struggling with their own ambitions. What begins as a temporary stay turns into a journey of self-discovery, as Shekhar re-evaluates success, adulthood and belonging. The show captures the warmth, discomfort and emotional honesty of family life with quiet realism.

The Mehta Boys – Amazon Prime Video

The Mehta Boys is a slow-burn emotional drama about the unspoken distance between a father and son. Shiv Mehta (Boman Irani), a reserved widower, and his son Amay (Avinash Tiwary), a struggling architect, are forced to spend time together after years of emotional disconnect.

As they share space, buried resentments, grief and misunderstandings surface. The film doesn’t rely on dramatic confrontations; instead, it finds power in silence, awkward conversations and small moments. It thoughtfully explores masculinity, generational gaps and the difficulty of expressing love, making it a deeply human and moving watch.

Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi – Netflix

Set over thirteen days of mourning, Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi unfolds after the death of Ramprasad Bhargava (Naseeruddin Shah), the patriarch of a large family. His passing brings relatives together under one roof, exposing emotional distances and unresolved tensions.

At the heart of the story is Amma (Supriya Pathak), who navigates her grief quietly while holding the family together. Through shared meals, casual remarks and awkward silences, the film gently explores grief, generational conflict and family bonds. With warmth, humour and honesty, it reflects how loss often reveals what families leave unsaid.

The Great Indian Murder – JioHotstar

This layered web series begins with the murder of Vicky Rai (Jatin Goswami), the son of a powerful politician, at a lavish Delhi party. What initially appears to be a straightforward case soon unravels into a complex web of motives and suspects.

Led by CBI officer Suraj Yadav (Pratik Gandhi) and ACP Sudha Bharadwaj, the investigation moves through the lives of politicians, activists, journalists and socialites. Through shifting perspectives, the series exposes how power, privilege and corruption influence justice. More than a murder mystery, it serves as a sharp commentary on modern Indian society.

Kadakh – SonyLIV

Kadakh unfolds over a single Diwali night, turning a celebratory dinner into an emotional minefield. Sunil (Ranvir Shorey) and his wife Maalti (Mansi Multani) host a gathering that takes a dark turn when Raghav (Chandrachoor Rai), the husband of Sunil’s colleague and secret lover, shows up unannounced.

An accidental shooting triggers chaos, forcing Sunil to juggle lies as guests arrive and tensions rise. Through card games, polite conversations and simmering jealousy, the film reveals the fragility beneath social niceties. It’s an uncomfortable yet gripping exploration of guilt, betrayal and suppressed emotions.

Tabbar – SonyLIV

Tabbar is a gripping family crime drama centred on Omkar Singh (Pavan Malhotra), a retired Punjab police officer living a peaceful life with his wife Sargun (Supriya Pathak) and two sons. Their world collapses when one son becomes entangled in a conflict involving a powerful politician’s family.

Driven by desperation and love, Omkar crosses moral and legal boundaries to protect his family. The series powerfully examines how loyalty, fear and parental instinct blur the line between right and wrong, making it as emotional as it is intense.

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Choked – SonyLIV

Directed by Anurag Kashyap, Choked follows Sarita Pillai (Saiyami Kher), a bank cashier trapped in a strained marriage and financial stress. Her husband Sushant (Roshan Mathew) struggles with debt, leaving Sarita burdened and frustrated.

When she discovers hidden cash inside a blocked kitchen sink pipe, her life briefly changes—until demonetisation disrupts everything. The film uses this personal story to explore middle-class anxiety, marital strain and the impact of national decisions on ordinary lives.