From royal drama to twisted reality, here’s what India is watching (and obsessing over) this year. In the ever-evolving world of Indian entertainment, 2025 has delivered a goldmine of binge-worthy content from palace intrigue and dysfunctional families to comedy classics and reality chaos. With OTT platforms upping the game and audiences craving variety, these five shows have emerged as the biggest must-watch of the year. Here’s what’s streaming, what’s trending, and why you’ll want to clear your weekend watchlist immediately: The Royals – India’s Glamorous New Obsession Streaming on: NetflixCast: Bhumi Pednekar, Ishaan Khatter, Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Dino Morea, Milind SomanGenre: Romantic Comedy Drama | Royalty Meets Modern Hustle What’s It About?Set in modern India, The Royals follows a once wealthy royal family trying to reinvent themselves after financial ruin. When the charming heir (Ishaan Khatter) teams up with a driven entrepreneur (Bhumi Pednekar) to convert their ancestral palace into a luxury resort, sparks and scandals fly. Why Everyone’s Bingeing It: Ishaan Khatter shines as the reluctant prince with charm and depth. Bhumi Pednekar brings fire as the modern businesswoman challenging royal traditions. Zeenat Aman and Sakshi Tanwar add multigenerational richness. Nora Fatehi is a comic delight in a glam role. Opulent visuals, witty writing, and a perfectly chaotic royal family setup. USP:Think Downton Abbey meets Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. It’s lavish, light, emotional, and incredibly stylish, easily Netflix India’s most buzzed-about show this year. Rana Naidu – Season 2 Streaming on: NetflixCast: Rana Daggubati, Venkatesh Daggubati, Surveen Chawla, Suchitra PillaiGenre: Action | Family Dysfunction | Crime Noir What’s It About?Rana Naidu is a high-powered fixer for India’s elite but this season, his biggest mess is at home. As his criminal past catches up with him and his father’s release from jail threatens his empire,

Introduction: For decades, Bollywood held the lion’s share of Indian cinema’s spotlight. However, in recent years, a significant shift has occurred and it’s unmistakable. The Telugu film industry (Tollywood) is not just holding its own; it’s leading from the front, dominating pan-India box offices, winning international recognition, and giving rise to a new wave of superstar directors and culturally rooted blockbusters. From ‘RRR’ to the upcoming ‘Pushpa 2’, Telugu cinema is no longer just regional, it’s national, even global. Box Office Boom: Numbers Don’t Lie Telugu films are now commanding unmatched collections both in India and overseas: ‘RRR’ (2022) by S.S. Rajamouli: Grossed over ₹1,200 crore worldwide Won an Oscar for Best Original Song (“Naatu Naatu”), putting Indian mass cinema on the global map Created hysteria in Japan, USA, and even the West Indies ‘Pushpa: The Rise’ (2021) by Sukumar: Broke records with over ₹360 crore gross on a modest budget Its dialogues and songs became viral across languages Pushpa 2: The Rule is already creating massive pre-release hype with deals crossing ₹100 crore+ in Hindi rights alone The Winning Formula: Mass, Emotion, and Craft Telugu films have found the sweet spot between mass action, emotional depth, and visual grandeur. They don’t just aim to entertain they immerse audiences in rich storytelling rooted in local culture, yet universally relatable. It’s a formula that Bollywood, in its struggle to reconnect with a broader audience, is now trying to replicate. Visionary Directors Turned National Icons Names like S.S. Rajamouli, Sukumar, Trivikram Srinivas, and Prashanth Neel have become synonymous with scale, innovation, and success. Their storytelling is rooted in emotion but mounted on ambitious canvases and that blend is exactly what audiences are demanding across India. As a result, these directors are not only breaking records in Telugu-speaking states, but are being actively

Intro: Kolkata, once Calcutta, always cultured- is not just a city. It’s a mood, a melody, a memory that lingers like Rabindra Sangeet on a rainy evening. Traditionally known as the intellectual and cultural capital of India, Kolkata has birthed legends in literature, cinema, and the arts. But today, a new generation is redefining the essence of this city. They aren’t poets with quills, they are influencers with ring lights, storytellers with scripts, fashionistas with reels, and icons with hashtags. This is not about nostalgia, it’s about evolution. DHANUSH KUMAR, writes about the celebrities and influencers from Kolkata who are making waves nationally and globally, all while keeping their roots firmly grounded in the soil of the City of Joy. 1.Rukmini Maitra- Glamour with Grit Rukmini Maitra isn’t just a name, she’s a brand. One of the most prominent faces in Kolkata, her journey from modeling to blockbuster cinema is a masterclass in consistency and class. Whether she’s dazzling on the red carpet or advocating for mental health and women’s empowerment, Rukmini balances style with substance. She’s become a household name not just in Bengali, but across India, thanks to her OTT roles and brand collaborations. 2.Saurav Das-laughter with a message Saurav Das started his journey in theatre, and that grounding in craft shows in everything he touches. Known for his comedy sketches, sharp satire, and emotional performances, he has become the thinking millennials’ entertainer. Saurav’s social media is a mix of laughter, activism and raw honesty, qualities that make him a relatable voice in today’s chaotic digital world. 3.Wonder Munna( Indrani Biswas) You can’t talk about content creation in Bengal without mentoring Wonder Munna. What started as fun videos has now evolved into a full-blown platform for fashion, feminism, social critique, and mental health awareness. Her videos blend intellect

Marathi cinema continues to flourish thanks to a vibrant mix of seasoned veterans and emerging talent. These actors, through compelling performances in theatre, television, and film, have profoundly impacted the industry. Here’s a spotlight on some of the most influential figures today: 1. Swapnil Joshi Fondly regarded as the “Shah Rukh Khan of Marathi cinema,” Swapnil Joshi is a superstar whose versatility has wooed audiences across mediums. He rose to prominence with hits like Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai and its sequel, while his television work (Eka Lagnachi Dusri Goshta) also earned widespread acclaim. Joshi’s charismatic screen presence and consistent box-office success make him a pillar of the industry. 2. Ankush Chaudhari A multi-faceted talent—actor, writer, producer, and director—Ankush Chaudhari earned fame through the romantic hit Double Seat and further cemented his appeal with Dhurala, Daagdi Chaawl 2, and others. Honored with Filmfare Awards in the category of Best Actor for Double Seat and Dhurala, his commitment to quality storytelling places him among the elite 3. Subodh Bhave An actor, director, and writer of considerable repute, Subodh Bhave shines in both historical and modern narratives. His portrayal of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, in Lokmanya: Ek Yugpurush, garnered widespread praise His nuanced performance in the Zee Marathi TV series Tula Pahate Re further underscores his versatility 4. Sachit Patil Multi-talented as an actor, director, and playwright, Sachit Patil broke through with the 2010 hit Zenda and seamlessly transitioned from television to impactful film roles in Aboli and Tu Chandane Shimpit Jashi His deep understanding of character and narrative structure enriches the projects he selects. 5. Shreyas Talpade Having made a mark in both Hindi and Marathi cinema, Shreyas Talpade is perhaps best known nationally for Iqbal (2005), which showcased his dramatic depth A voice actor as well—he dubbed for Allu Arjun in the Hindi