From 'Modern Love: Mumbai' To 'Panchayat 2', Best Web Shows Of 2022 So Far

In the age of pandemic-induced quarantine, hybrid workforce and remote education, we turn to smaller screeners for an escape from reality. Halfway into 2022, the OTT world is brimming with content akin to remakes, new instalments and some heartwarming coming-of-age tales. We bring you a list of some of the must-see best web shows of 2022 so far

Modern Love: Mumbai

Fatima Sana Shaikh in Raat Rani (India Forum)

Based on The New York Times' essays, the Modern Love anthology series travelled from the United States to India, where six filmmakers – Vishal Bhardwaj, Shonali Bose, Hansal Mehta, Dhruv Sehgal, Alankrita Shrivastava, and Nupur Asthana,  – have brought it to scintillating life.

The stories encompass romance across gender, age and religion and have set them against the backdrop of India's 'city of dreams', Mumbai. What is collectively shared within the anthology's stories is the fight for love, in a city and society that often makes the win difficult.

Next up after Mumbai, love and its many shades will be further explored in six stories set in Hyderabad and Chennai.

Panchayat Season 2

A still from the show| Screengrab from trailer

Just like its predecessor, the second instalment of Panchayat too returned with a warm, humourous take on the everydayness of village life. The second season follows Abhishek (Jitendra Kumar), who is still looking for ways to escape Phulera by appearing for an exam, is now more invested and attuned to the ways of rural life. Manju Devi (Neena Gupta), the village sarpanch too is better fleshed out, however, her husband, Brij Bhushan (Raghubir Yadav) is still calling the shots as the proxy sarpanch.

Gullak 3

Credit: SonyLIV

Gullak 3 continued its winning streak by indulging in stories rooted in part 90s nostalgia and part middle-class goodness. The principal cast--Jameel Khan, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, and Harsh Mayar-- returns as an ordinary family with ordinary issues but retains its crisp and fresh storytelling.

Suggested Reading: Gangubai Khatiawadi, Badhaai Do, RRR — Seven Best Films Of 2022 So Far

Rocket Boys

A still from Rocket Boys | Screengrab from YouTube

Created by Roy Kapur Films and Nikkhil Advani's Emmay Entertainment, Rocket Boys retraced the accomplishments of Indian nuclear physicists Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, their journey to achieving greatness and writing pages of history. It showcased Bhabha and Sarabhai's love for physics and space, and also dwelled deeper into their trials and tribulations

Producer Sidharth Roy Kapur said wanted Rocket Boys to be more than a science show, "Rocket Boys is about these two ordinary men of their time unbeknownst to them about their future achievements, their flaws and eccentrics. It is about all the things that make them human, their love for their young country, they are part of the freedom struggle as well, they have seen the country being born, and while their visions may differ, they both are patriots in the best sense of the world."

Heartstopper

A still from Heartstopper

Heartstopper lies on the sugary sweet end of the teen dramedy series spectrum, worlds apart from Euphoria and Skins, but just as delightful as Sex Education, and doesn’t shy away from a poignant examination of queer identity.

Adapted by the writer Alice Oseman from her graphic novel series of the same name, it follows 14-year-old Charlie as he develops a crush on popular rugby player Nick. Heartstopper is probably one of the most wholesome and best shows of 2022 so far, which by the end of its quick eight episodes, feels like a warm hug.

Ms Marvel

Still from Ms Marvel (Twitter)

Ms Marvel, the latest foray into the MCU, is headlined by Marvel’s first Muslim superhero. The series follows Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a 16-year-old who spends her days in Jersey City, creating Avengers fan videos and hanging out with her tech-savvy best friend, Bruno (Matt Lintz). She's funny, charming and effortlessly bats off preconceptions in this joyful coming-of-age tale.