Top 5 Hindi OTT Series to Watch: From the Simplicity of Panchayat to the Thrill of The Family Man

Here’s a detailed list of the best Hindi OTT series, spanning from feel-good dramas like Panchayat to gripping thrillers like The Family Manwith a clean breakdown of their strengths, genre, and why they’re worth watching.

1. Panchayat

Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy-Drama
Seasons: 3
Why Watch:

  • A refreshing and grounded portrayal of rural India.
  • Jitendra Kumar plays a city-educated engineer forced to take a job as a Panchayat secretary in a remote village.
  • The writing blends humor, heart, and social commentary with grace.
  • Realistic characters (like Pradhan ji, Vikas, Prahlad) leave a lasting impression.

Vibe: Relaxing, intelligent, and subtly emotional. Perfect for when you want something warm but meaningful.

2. The Family Man

Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Genre: Action, Thriller, Spy Drama
Seasons: 2 (Season 3 in production)
Why Watch:

  • Manoj Bajpayee is brilliant as Srikant Tiwari — a middle-class man balancing family life with his secret job as an intelligence officer.
  • Sharp writing with political and social undertones.
  • Excellent mix of suspense, humor, and emotion.
  • Great supporting characters (JK, Raji, Suchi) with layered arcs.

Vibe: High-stakes thriller that still feels personal and relatable.

3. Aspirants

Platform: Prime Video
Genre: Coming-of-Age, Drama
Seasons: 2
Why Watch:

  • Follows three friends preparing for the UPSC exam in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi.
  • Deals with friendship, ambition, heartbreak, and the harsh realities of competitive exams.
  • Balances nostalgia with realistic storytelling.
  • Strong writing and emotional depth make it deeply relatable, especially for students and young professionals.

Vibe: Emotional and grounded. If you liked Panchayat’s tone, this is a natural next pick.

4. Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story

Platform: SonyLIV
Genre: Biographical, Financial Thriller
Seasons: 1
Why Watch:

  • Based on the 1992 stock market scam involving Harshad Mehta.
  • Exceptional direction by Hansal Mehta, tight screenplay, and a memorable soundtrack.
  • Pratik Gandhi delivers a breakout performance.
  • Explains complex financial concepts in an engaging and accessible way.

Vibe: Smart and stylish. If you want a high-quality, fact-based drama with a gripping plot.

5. Gullak

Platform: SonyLIV
Genre: Comedy-Drama, Family
Seasons: 4
Why Watch:

  • Follows the everyday life of the Mishra family — filled with laughter, arguments, and small joys.
  • Every episode is short, punchy, and loaded with nostalgia.
  • Narrated from the perspective of a piggy bank (“Gullak”), giving it a unique flavor.
  • Especially relatable for anyone from a middle-class Indian background.

Vibe: Wholesome and nostalgic. Great for weekend bingeing with family.