Top 10 most popular Indian web series of 2025, according to IMDb: Must-watch shows before the year ends

As streaming platforms continue to push boundaries with new genres, bold storytelling, and refreshing casts, 2025 has already become a remarkable year for Indian web series. Audiences are consuming content like never before, and IMDb ratings have helped highlight which shows have truly captured viewers’ attention.

From hard-hitting thrillers to supernatural mysteries, political dramas, and rural comedies, these shows reflect the evolving taste of Indian viewers and the growing sophistication of OTT storytelling.

Here’s a detailed look at the 10 most popular Indian web series of 2025, as per IMDb—binge-worthy titles you must catch before the year wraps up.

1. The Ba***ds of Bollywood– Netflix

Aaryan Khan’s directorial debut has grabbed massive attention, blending satire, glamour, and a dark exploration of the Hindi film industry. The story follows Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya Lalwani), an ambitious outsider who arrives in Mumbai with big dreams. His debut film becomes a staggering hit, opening doors to bigger banners and star-studded opportunities.

Aasmaan’s next film pairs him with debutante Karishma Talwar (Sahher Bambba) in a meta cameo-laced drama directed by Karan Johar (playing himself). But when he signs a multi-film contract with a powerful producer, he is pulled into a maze of industry politics, egos, jealousy, manipulation, and interference from Karishma’s superstar father, Ajay Talwar (Bobby Deol).

Without spoiling the twist, the final episode delivers a shocking reveal that redefines the entire narrative. Laced with insider humour, sharp commentary, and Bollywood’s glitzy chaos, the series boldly showcases both the sparkle and shadows of the entertainment world.

Also Read: 7 best female-driven crime thrillers to binge right now on Netflix, JioHotstar & more

2. Black Warrant – Netflix

Set in the volatile 1980s, this gritty thriller is inspired by the non-fiction book Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer. The story follows Sunil Gupta (Zahan Kapoor), an intelligence officer who unexpectedly becomes the jailer of Tihar Prison.

At first, Gupta is shocked by the corruption, brutality, and injustice simmering behind the prison’s massive walls. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a dangerous web of political power, criminal networks, and systemic abuse. The series features dramatized portrayals of real-life infamous criminals including Charles Shobraj and Ranga-Billa, adding authenticity and intrigue.

Riveting, dark, and deeply political, Black Warrant exposes the uncomfortable realities of one of the world’s most notorious prisons while delivering a tight, emotionally charged thriller.

3. Paatal Lok Season 2 – Amazon Prime Video

The critically acclaimed crime thriller returns with a far more intense second season, expanding its world beyond Delhi NCR into the haunting landscapes of Nagaland.

Inspector Hathiram Chaudhary (Jaideep Ahlawat) and Imran Ansari (Ishwak Singh) reunite for a new case that begins with the discovery of a decapitated Naga leader in Delhi. What starts as a murder investigation soon spirals into a massive conspiracy involving drug trafficking, political tension, insurgent groups, and cultural conflicts.

This season examines themes of modernisation vs. tradition, ethnic identity, and the murky interplay between state power and local resistance. With the addition of Vijay Sethupathi in a significant role, Season 2 raises the stakes, delivering brutality, complexity, and suspense at every turn.

4. Panchayat Season 4 – Amazon Prime Video

The heartwarming yet deeply insightful story of Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) continues in a new season that blends rural simplicity with sharp political satire.

This time, the narrative revolves around the high-stakes Phulera panchayat elections, pitting Manju Devi’s camp against Kranti Devi’s faction in a fierce battle for power. While Abhishek continues juggling his CAT exam ambitions, he finds himself inevitably drawn into village politics, conflicts, and dilemmas.

Season 4 maintains the show's signature humour but amplifies its emotional depth, exploring power dynamics, community bonds, and the evolving aspirations of rural India. The performances remain consistent and charming, making it a comforting yet meaningful watch.

5. Mandala Murders – Netflix

A chilling murder mystery with supernatural undertones, Mandala Murders is set in the eerie, fictional town of Charandaspur, steeped in ancient rituals and folklore.

The story begins with a gruesome ritualistic killing—body parts missing, symbols carved, and signs pointing to something far darker than a typical homicide. Detective Rea Thomas (Vaani Kapoor) teams up with former cop Vikram Singh (Vaibhav Raj Gupta) to investigate.

Their journey uncovers a hidden cult, Aayast Mandal, whose objective is tied to resurrecting a mythical entity through an elaborate mandala-based ritual. The plot weaves between the present and the 1950s, revealing the cult’s origins and connecting Rea’s own past to the mystery.

Visually striking and atmospheric, this thriller blends mythology, horror, and investigative drama into a gripping experience.

6. Khauf – Amazon Prime Video

A psychological and supernatural horror series, Khauf follows Madhu (Monika Panwar), a young woman seeking a new beginning in Delhi after surviving sexual assault.

She moves into a working women’s hostel and is assigned Room 333, a space notorious for its violent past. Soon, Madhu experiences disturbing supernatural events—shadowy figures, eerie noises, and terrifying hallucinations—forcing her to confront not only external threats but the trauma buried within.

The series powerfully intertwines themes of gender-based violence, fear, mental health, and women’s vulnerability in urban spaces. Khauf uses horror as a metaphor, creating a haunting yet socially relevant narrative.

7. Special Ops Season 2 – Disney+ Hotstar

The much-awaited new season of Neeraj Pandey’s espionage franchise returns with a contemporary twist, focusing on cyber-terrorism, AI manipulation, and digital warfare.

This time, Himmat Singh (Kay Kay Menon) and his team must track down a global conspiracy involving the kidnapping of a leading AI scientist. As cyber-attacks escalate and classified information is weaponised, the team confronts an antagonist who operates from the shadows of cyberspace.

With international intrigue, tech-driven threats, and high-stakes intelligence operations, Season 2 expands the franchise beyond traditional terrorism narratives into the world of silent digital wars.

8. Khakee: The Bengal Chapter – Netflix

After the success of the Bihar chapter, this new instalment dives into early-2000s West Bengal, especially Kolkata and its surrounding regions.

At the centre is Arjun Maitra (Jeet Madnani), a determined police officer assigned to dismantle an entrenched criminal-political nexus. Opposing him is the formidable gangster-don Bagha/Sankar Baruah (Saswata Chatterjee), who controls everything from gang wars to extortion and organised crime.

Gritty, violent, and deeply realistic, the series exposes the uneasy relationship between politics, crime, and law enforcement. It presents a raw portrait of a system where justice is often overshadowed by power.

9. The Family Man Season 3 – Amazon Prime Video

The highly anticipated third season takes Srikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee) to the politically sensitive terrain of Northeast India.

The narrative centres around a fragile peace deal between the government and insurgent groups. Beneath this surface, however, lies a covert conspiracy involving foreign handlers, radical factions, and a new villain, Rukma (Jaideep Ahlawat), who orchestrates chaos from the shadows.

As Srikant navigates the nation’s most volatile conflict zones, he also struggles to keep his family together, adding personal stakes to an already explosive mission. The season blends emotional depth with high-octane action, making it one of the strongest instalments yet.

Also Read: New on OTT this week: Major releases across Netflix, JioHotstar, ZEE5 & more (Dec 8–14)

10. Criminal Justice: A Family Matter – Disney+ Hotstar

This new chapter transforms a domestic tragedy into a gripping courtroom drama. The story begins with the death of Roshni Saluja (Asha Negi), a nurse who attends a child’s birthday party before being found dead.

The prime suspect is surgeon Dr. Raj Nagpal (Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub), discovered at the scene with her body. As the investigation progresses, suspicion also falls on his wife Anju Nagpal (Surveen Chawla), turning the case into a tense family thriller where every relationship is under scrutiny.

Veteran lawyer Madhav Mishra (Pankaj Tripathi) takes up Raj’s defence, unravelling layers of secrets, betrayal, and moral conflicts. The season goes beyond crime-solving to explore emotional wounds, hidden truths, and the fragility of family structures.