31 Movies And Web Series That Created A Lot Of Hype This Year & How They Ultimately Turned Out
2020 hasn¡¯t been the best year. Art came to our rescue and helped many of us sail through some tough times. Cooped up inside our homes, many of us resorted to OTT streaming platforms and we were presented with a lavish treat. With big screens shut, many big movies had web releases. Parallely, this year belonged to some great web-series that kept us thoroughly entertained. Now that we are in the last leg of this year, we decided to handpick some o...Read More
2020 hasn¡¯t been the best year. Art and artists came to our rescue and helped many of us sail through some tough times. Cooped up inside our homes, many of us resorted to OTT streaming platforms and we were presented with a lavish treat. With big screens shut, many big movies had web-releases. Parallely, this year belonged to some great web-series that kept us thoroughly entertained. Now that we are in the last leg of this year, we decided to handpick some of the most hyped web series and movies and reflect on how it actually fared post release. Scroll!
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1. Kaamyab
Where to watch: Netflix
This movie was made in 2018 but saw the light of the day this year. Revolving around a character artist who has 499 films to his credit, the said actor plans to retire with a bang. It showcased the struggles of artists who despite doing so many films couldn't achieve half the recognition or success as their main league counterparts.
Verdict: This Red Chillies entertainer worked like a charm and the audiences couldn't stop raving about the casting and the performances. Big cheer for Sanjay Mishra!
2. Paatal Lok
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime
Loosely based on Tarun Tejpal's novel, this show revolves around a cop Hathiram Chaudhary who is made in charge of an assassination gone wrong case. In his quest to get to the bottom of it, he discovers some dark secrets.
Verdict: This Anushka Sharma production kickstarted a new trend of phenomenal story-telling and casting talented actors over known faces. Jaideep Ahlawat who played the lead shot to much-deserved fame and received rave reviews for his fabulous performance from fans and critics alike.
3. Asur
Where to watch: Voot Select
Set in Varanasi, Asur is a story about a former forensic expert turned teacher who lands himself in a cat-and-mouse chase due to twisted turn of events. It's not like any other thriller drama. Asur stood out because it had a mythological touch that was never seen before.
Verdict: Arshad Warsi changed the web-series game with this unexplored concept. It also dealt with the adverse side of religion fanaticism. In this fight between good v/s evil, the show definitely won as people took a great liking to the newness that it had to offer.
4. Gulabo Sitabo
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
A classic tale of war between a landlord and his tenant who refuses to vacate the house despite several notices from the former, this movie created a lot of hype for its casting. It brought two powerhouses of performance Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushamann in a single frame. What's more it was also Big B's look that went on to attract a lot of viewers.
Verdict: Despite the buzz, it left many disappointed as many felt that the movie was a drag and not gripping enough. However, it wasn't the two leading men but Farrukh Jaffar, the actress who played Big B's wife aka Begum, who stole the show with her endearing performance.
5. Aarya
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar
One of the most-awaited series of the year, Aarya promised Sushmita Sen in a never-seen-before avatar. It also made a lot of buzz for it also brought Chandrachur Singh onboard opposite the bong beauty. This thriller series was directed by Ram Madhvani and right from the trailer release, many of us were eager to take on this journey.
Verdict: After a long hiatus, Sushmita chose this as her launchpad for her second innings and it won't be wrong to say that she chose well! Not only was the series a thoroughly entertaining watch, Sush owned it like a boss and proved that she might have been away but she's got what it takes to leave everyone mesmerised.
6. Dark Season 3
Where to watch: Netflix
Children start vanishing from the German town of Winden, bringing to light the fractured relationships, double lives, and the dark pasts of four families living there, and unfurling a mystery that spans four generations. While the intriguing plot of this show kept us hooked for 3 seasons, the finale season was a perfect end to this fascinating ride.
Verdict: The interesting thing about this show was that even if people didn't understand some of the scientific angles, that didn't deter them from showering praises on the show. It was hailed as one of the best sci-fi shows of all time.
7. Breathe: Into The Shadows
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
The story revolves around Dr. Avinash Sabharwal, whose 6-year-old daughter Siya is kidnapped by a masked man. The kidnapper demands that Sabharwal kills a man in order to get his daughter back. This thriller wasn't in continuation with the first season but it did have some characters from it. It created a lot of hype because of its casting and gripping storyline.
Verdict: Abhishek Bachchan was flooded with praises and compliments for his stellar performance in this show. Many called 2020, the year of Bachchan Junior as people strongly felt that he is an underrated actor with heap loads of potential. The show was eventually declared a hit despite some of its flaws.
8. Indian Matchmaking
Where to watch: Netflix
A mirror to how the Indian society functions when it comes to the arranged marriage set-up, this show kickstarted a new genre which is now called cringe! The unofficial definition of this category means those shows that make you cringe possibly due to the harsh reality that it portrays or the exaggerated truth. These are the type of shows that we all love to watch only because we can make fun of it later in a detailed manner.
Verdict: Sima Aunty became a celebrity right after this show's release. She called herself a 'super successful' matchmaker from Mumbai but not even one alliance that she tried to set-up turned out to be successful. This show made for a fun watch because each and every character brought with itself a different type of personality. The show's success can be evaluated by the amount of discussions that went about soon after it's release and it was a LOT.
9. Kissing Booth 2
Where to watch: Netflix
Joey King and Jacob Elordi won our hearts with their sweet rom-com Kissing Booth. Many of us got so invested in their onscreen chemistry that when we found out that they were dating for real, our happiness knew no bounds. As for the film, it was all kinds of mushy and we absolutely loved it. Cut to the second installment, which obviously created a lot of buzz. More than the movie, people wanted to gauge for themselves if the two who were rumoured to have broken up before the release had actually parted ways.
Verdict: If the first movie made us go weak in the knees, the second one spiced things up even more. With the entry of a hot competition for Noah - the exotic looking entrant Marco, we found it hard to choose who's best suited for our home-girl Elle. The movie was an instant success and ended on a promise of a third part! Yay!
10. Dil Bechara
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar
After such an unfortunate tragedy, Dil Bechara turned out to be a special film for all of Sushant Singh Rajput's fans. Before it's release, there was a lot of chatter around how this movie should only be released on the big screen as a mark of respect for the late actor. However, it saw a nation-wide premier on Hotstar. A remake of Fault In Our Stars, it had created a lot of interest right from the time that it was announced
Verdict: It was a bittersweet feeling to watch Sushant Singh Rajput for the last time doing what he did best - move us to tears with his phenomenal performance. The movie was a heavy watch but a beautiful one. Not only was the story-telling very moving but even the soundtrack was spectacular. The audiences loved this Mukesh Chabbara directorial so much that it received several 10/10 ratings.
11. Shakuntala Devi
Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Movies that are made on the real lives of people always have more takers. This one was no different. Based on the life of Human Computer Shakuntala Devi, many were cheering for its release. Vidya Balan who portrayed the role of one of the most gifted mathematician added her own charm to it.
Verdict: The movie opened to mixed reviews. While some felt it was underwhelming, others felt that it only made for a one-time watch. It might not have turned out to be a standout piece of content but it sure left many of us entertained.
12. Lootcase
Where to watch: Disney+Hotstar
If you ever chat with true-blue cinema lovers, they will always rave about actor Kunal Kemmu. He is probably one of the most underrated actors of the Hindi film industry, The man is a phenomenal actor and has an epic comic timing. However, call it fate or poor choices, he's not able to portray his true potential as an artist. When Lootcase trailer was released, it left many intrigued. It did create a decent amount of buzz for it featured some very talented artists including Kemmu.
Verdict: The movie was not an out and out success but once again Kemmu got much appreciation for his part. The movie had interesting plot points but many found it a drag towards the end.
13. Gunjan Saxena
Where to watch: Netflix
More than the storyline, this movie was in news mainly due to the nepotism debate and Karan Johar's backing. Janhvi Kapoor's second outing was based on Kargil Girl Gunjan Saxena, an Air Force pilot who was also the first Indian female pilot in combat. More than the movie, it was the controversies that kept the internet busy. From distortion of facts to showing the army in a bad light, many accusations were flung at this movie but thanks to all that, it did create a big hype around it.
Verdict: The movie was deemed mediocre by critics and fans alike. Some criticized Janhvi's acting capabilities, others insisted that she is getting better with every film. Between all this, the reason why Gunjan Saxena got some amount of positive feedback was only because of Pankaj Tripathi who played a progressive and supportive father to the lady of the hour.
14. Class Of 83
Where to watch: Netflix
Based on a demoted cop who is the dean of a police academy and incharge of training new officers to punish corrupt bureaucracy and its criminal allies, this movie had a lot of potential. More so, because Bobby Deol played the lead. The trailer piqued everyone's interest and many were actually looking forward to watching it.
Verdict: The final result left many of us disappointed. The movie held a lot of promises but it let us down with its poor execution and shoddy climax. The movie started off on a high note but towards the end it lost the purpose and proved to be an forgettable one.
15. Sadak 2
Where to watch: Disney + Hotstar
This movie was made as a sequel to the classic Sadak which starred Pooja Bhatt and Sanjay Dutt in lead roles. While this movie was the first one to release on the internet this year, it did so under complex circumstances. After the SSR tragedy, this movie was called many names and flagged as a nepotism product among other things. Sanjay Dutt reprised his role and giving him company were Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur
Verdict: This movie's trailer made a record for the most disliked trailer in the recent times. The movie tanked so bad that even the handful of praises faded out in the noise of rejection. While the backlash did play a pivotal role in its failure, the movie was a big dud even for those who wanted to have a rational opinion on it.
16. Masaba Masaba
Where to watch: Netflix
Celebrated designer Masaba Gupta made her acting debut with a show based on her own life. With a mix of real and reel characters including her actress mother Neena Gupta, this show was a mini series with a lesser run-time of each episode. Many cine-lovers were looking forward to it as they wanted to get to know the designer from up close and get a peek into her life.
Verdict: It was a mediocre show which had a fair share of highs and lows. Neena Gupta was as usual, a delight to watch. Despite its shortcomings, it did turn out to be a decent watch. It garnered mixed reviews from the people on the internet. Masaba Masaba ended on a major cliffhanger hinting at season 2.
17. I'm Thinking Of Ending Things
Where to watch: Netflix
Right from it's title to its trippy trailer, many of us were quite excited for this slow burn movie which offered a psychological thriller ride. Revolving around a woman who is planning to break up with her boyfriend, circumstances force her to go on trip with the man that she is having second thoughts about. This trip is no ordinary one, it was taken so that she could meet his parents!
Verdict: The movie was a slow burn alright, but the makers stretched it so much that it became a never-ending misery for the viewers. The constant back and forth between the past, present and future was not only tiresome but it failed to leave an impact. One specific scene that felt like a year was the car ride. It stretched on for almost 15-30 mins and it felt like it would never end. Calling it a big disappointment would be an understatement.
18. Social Dilemma
Where to watch: Netflix
A documentary which aimed to educate people and give them a reality check, Social Dilemma made waves right after the release of its trailer. Showcasing first-hand accounts of people who were the founders and creators of some popular social media platforms, this docu was an eye-opener for those who didn't understand the intricacies of artificial intelligence.
Verdict: Social Dilemma left many befuddled. While a large chunk of people weren't really surprised, others couldn't digest the fact that nothing on the internet is protected, even the most personal things that one would think. There's a big intrusion of privacy and most of us don't even know about it. At least not before this docu got released. It got a lot of positive response and people praised it for being informative and educative.
19. Emily In Paris
Where to watch: Netflix
A light and fun watch, this show was a visual treat as it consisted of all things Parisian. Right from the fashion to the small cafes situated in the interiors of Paris lanes, this show provided France as a back drop to the story of Emily who is a marketing executive and has recently located to Paris for her job. Lily Collins not only played the lead but she also co-produced this series.
Verdict: It turned out to be a fun mushy show that had drama, fashion and lots of twists and turns. During such a taxing time, Emily In Paris helped us forget our woes albeit for a short while.
20. Bad Boy Billionaires
Where to watch: Netflix
This docu series revolved around some of India's biggest scams committed by the rich and famous billionaires. Right after the trailer release, it attracted a lot of controversies when the people under the spotlight cited objections over its release. It got delayed but it did manage to see the light of the day eventually.
Verdict: It won't be wrong to say that it was worth the wait. While in some case, the information that was served was nothing new, many new aspects came to light with this series. People kept discussing the billionaires in question for days.
21. Scam 1992
Where to watch: Sony Liv
This Hansal Mehta directorial turned out to be the underdog of this year. It promised to recreate the Harshad Mehta scam which rocked the country decades ago. With a mix of new faces and lesser known ones, this show generated hype for its authenticity. It also acted as a fresh change from all the crime dramas which had turned out to be monotonous.
Verdict: Pratik Gandhi floored everyone with his Harshad Mehta portrayal and finally got what he deserved, all thanks to his impeccable acting prowess. Hansal Mehta won our hearts as his 90s era re-creation proved to be on point. Neither did he go overboard nor did he underplay with his direction, it was just perfect. This show delivered way more than it had promised and probably became one of the best pieces of content this year.
22. The Haunting Of Bly Manor
Where to watch: Netflix
The second installment of Mike Flanagan's The Haunting anthology series, this one held a lot of expectations as The Haunting Of Hill House turned out to be a big hit. Revolving around a young au pair or a nanny if you may, she arrives at a country house only to see apparitions haunting its premises.
Verdict: It got a mix load of reactions. While it didn't offer jump-scares like it's predecessor, many called it a satisfying watch as it narrated a gripping ghost story as it titillated the psychological aspects more than the jump-scares. It did manage to intrigue most of the viewers as they deemed it a good watch.
23. Mirzapur Season 2
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
The much-awaited second season of crime drama Mirzapur finally dropped a while ago. The story progresses forward after the wedding massacre which is evaded by Munna. Guddu and Golu are nowhere to be found. Akhandanand's political aspirations soar. The big question remains who will rule Mirzapur?
Verdict: As compared to the season one, many felt disappointed. Some called it a drag, others thought the storyline missed the point. However, with new characters making an appearance, it did make for an interesting watch.
24. The Queen's Gambit
Where to watch: Netflix
This seven-part limited series chronicles the story of an orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon, who grapples with alcohol and drug addiction and eventually goes on to compete with several elite chess players across the world, tackling the inherent sexism in the sport at the same time. Not only is this ride into the world of Harmon nail-biting but it also gives a detailed insight into the lesser-known world of chess.
Verdict: This series picked up only because of word of mouth and in lest than 4 weeks it broke a viewership record for the OTT giant. Many couldn't stop raving about the beauty of this show be it the rich storyline or the breathtaking cinematography. This series became a big hit only because of the viewers' reviews.
25. A Suitable Boy
Largely revolving around a widowed mother¡¯s quest to find a suitable match for her younger daughter, this web-series is much more than just marriage. The backdrop of A Suitable Boy also revolves around a free India preparing for its first ever election in 1952. There¡¯s religion-based conflicts, farmers¡¯ distress, talks of abolishing the Zamindari system, the aftermath of India-Pakistan partition and caste-based politics in the mix. It created a lot of hype because this show is based on a popular novel that had a lot of memories for many of us.
Verdict: Director Mira Nair has tried to fit 1,300 plus pages into her 6-part mini series and it has sure opened to some conflicting reviews. Many called it a big fail, while others praised Nair for showcasing such a big story in an intricate manner. In the end, it did impress a large chunk of people.
26. Laxmii
Where to watch: Disney + Hotstar
Remake of Tamil movie Kanchana, this Akshay Kumar-starrer was one of the hugely awaited movies of this year. To see Kumar play the role of a transgender created a lot of buzz for his fans and followers. Raghav Lawrence who directed the Tamil film donned the Director's hat once again to make its Hindi counterpart as well. From controversies to critcism, this movie saw it all.
Verdict: Majority of reviews from both critics and fans were on the negative side. People called it a big miss as it failed to strike the right note both in terms of storyline and the portrayal of the third gender. However, actors like Sharad Kelkar, Ayesha Raza, Ashwini Kalsekar and Rajesh Sharma received heap loads of praises for making this movie watchable with their fabulous performances
27. Aashram 1 and 2
Where to watch: MX Player
Based in the fictional city of Kashipur, this show revolves around the empire created by a self proclaimed Godman - Kashipur waale Baba Nirala, who derives his power from the influence he has over the lower strata of the society. He has often stood for them and they consider him to be their Messiah. This show showcased the other side of blind faith in babas and gurus.
Verdict: While the first season garnered mixed reactions, this show redeemed itself with the second one. Many called the first season a premise to the main story. With season 2, the makers took it to another level with their gripping storytelling and top-notch performances. Bobby Deol won the day with this show and fans welcomed him back with arms wide open.
28. Chhalang
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
A Hansal Mehta directorial, this movie revolved around a PT teacher who has no ambitions in life. He's least interested in teaching his students and has a carefree attitude towards everything. Things shake up when a contender enters the plot and his job is on stake. After Scam 1992, this movie had a lot of people's interest, especially because of Hansal Mehta and Rajkummar Rao's partnership.
Verdict: The movie turned out to be quite the opposite of the trailer and failed to make a mark despite powerful performances. The story proved to be the weakest of all and failed to entertain the audiences. It vanished away in no time.
29. Ludo
Where to watch: Netflix
Touted as movie of the year, this Anurag Basu directorial managed to create interest right from the day it was announced. With an elaborate cast and a out-of-the-box concept, it managed to create a lot of chatter. Depicting different emotions on a Ludo board, this movie entangled four plots into one.
Verdict: It was declared a hit in no time. While haters gonna hate, cinema lovers felt gratified with Ludo. The story-telling was top-notch, so was the execution. All the actors did a commendable job and gave a great movie-watching experience amid such dark times.
30. The Crown S4
Where to watch: Netflix
The Crown has been a hot favourie right from season one. While people's interest in the royal family is never ending, the portrayal of them in this series has managed to make a loyal fan-following. The latest season piqued the interest more so because it showcased the Princess Diana chapter. Many were desperately awaiting the release, as speculations were rife about which events from the Duchess of Sussex's life will make the cut.
Verdict: It superseded the expectations and hit the ball out of the park. Not only was the casting of Diana, Prince Charles and others was on point but even the events that were created left everyone mesmerised. So many discussion threads revolved around the current season for weeks and months.
31. The Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives
Where to watch: Netflix
On of the most recent ones on this list, Karan Johar served us what he knows best - Bollywood's inside scoop. Hate him and call him the movie mafia all you want but at the end of the day, he did manage to get the spotlight on himself and his show. Despite being termed as cringe, this show managed to stir a big storm right after the trailer was dropped. People were counting days for its release, even if to only make fun of it.
Verdict: It got more hate than love but it did see a huge viewership. The internet was buzzing with opinions and judgement on the show, the wives, the kids and the families.
Did we miss out on your favourites? Do let us know your top picks in the comments section below.