1. Delhi Crime

Where do I watch it?: Netflix

2. The Test Case

Where do I watch it?: ALTBalaji

3. Made In Heaven

Where do I watch it?: Prime Video

4. Leila

Where do I watch it?: Netflix.

5. Girl In The City

Where do I watch it?: Facebook Watch

6. Aarya

Where do I watch it?: Disney+ Hotstar

24 Pictures Of Bollywood Actors You May Have Never Seen Before

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12 Webseries That Every Desi Woman Should Watch At Least Once In Their Lifetime

The landscape of Indian entertainment has undergone a dramatic transformation with the rise of OTT platforms. Gone are the days when female characters were confined to the binary roles of ‘damsel in distress’ or ‘obedient homemaker’. Today, the “desi web series” space is a powerhouse of complex, flawed, and fiercely ambitious women who are breaking patriarchal norms, navigating difficult moral choices, and simply trying to balance a modern life in a rapidly changing society.

These twelve series are more than just entertainment; they are a mirror reflecting the struggles, triumphs, and evolving identity of the modern Indian woman, making them an essential addition to any desi woman’s must-watch list.

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The Pioneers and Rule-Breakers: Defining Modernity

These series broke the mold, presenting female protagonists who embraced ambition, sexuality, and complex morality on their own terms, setting a new standard for women’s narratives in Indian media.

1. Four More Shots Please! (2019)

• Genre: Comedy-Drama, Friendship
• Starring: Kirti Kulhari, Sayani Gupta, Maanvi Gagroo, Bani J
• The Plot: This series follows the interconnected lives of four unapologetically flawed female friends in Mumbai. They navigate career challenges, love, motherhood, and their own anxieties, all while maintaining their unwavering ‘girl code’ over shots of tequila.
• Why It Resonates: It is arguably the most mainstream and direct celebration of female friendship and solidarity in Indian OTT. It deals with taboo subjects like bisexuality, body image issues, and single motherhood without judgment, offering a safe space to see women just be—imperfect, strong, and always there for each other.

2. Made in Heaven (2019)

• Genre: Drama, Social Satire
• Starring: Sobhita Dhulipala, Arjun Mathur, Kalki Koechlin
• The Plot: Set against the opulent backdrop of Delhi’s high-society weddings, the series follows two wedding planners, Tara and Karan, as they navigate the complexities of their own lives and the dark secrets and social hypocrisies hidden beneath the ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’ facade.
• Why It Resonates: The show uses each wedding as a case study to dissect India’s deep-rooted classism, dowry issues, LGBTQ+ stigma, and the price of social climbing. Tara, in particular, is an ambitious, self-made woman who is unafraid to own her past and her drive for a better life.

3. Permanent Roommates (2014)

• Genre: Rom-Com, Slice of Life
• Starring: Sumeet Vyas, Nidhi Singh
• The Plot: Considered India’s first-ever web series, it revolves around Tanya and Mikesh, a couple who decide to move into a live-in relationship after a long-distance engagement proposal, using cohabitation as a ‘trial run’ before marriage.
• Why It Resonates: In 2014, the concept of a live-in relationship was still largely considered taboo in mainstream Indian society. Tanya’s reluctance to jump into marriage, her desire to test compatibility, and her clear articulation of her needs were revolutionary, making the show a definitive guide for young, commitment-wary Indian couples navigating modern love.

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The Corporate and Personal Struggle: Ambition and Identity

These narratives delve into the professional and personal lives of women striving to make their mark in male-dominated arenas, balancing their self-identity with societal expectations.

4. Bombay Begums (2021)

• Genre: Drama, Intergenerational
• Starring: Pooja Bhatt, Shahana Goswami, Amruta Subhash
• The Plot: The series tells the story of five women across different generations in Mumbai, each of whom hustles for ambition, power, and survival, fighting their personal battles from the boardroom to their homes.
• Why It Resonates: It brilliantly portrays the intergenerational conflicts and solidarity among women. From a CEO fighting for her legacy to a young sex worker striving for a better future, the show links their struggles, reminding women that regardless of age or profession, the fight against patriarchy and for a space of their own remains common.

5. Masaba Masaba (2020)

• Genre: Dramedy, Fictionalized Reality
• Starring: Masaba Gupta, Neena Gupta
• The Plot: A fictionalized take on the lives of fashion designer Masaba Gupta and her actress mother, Neena Gupta. It chronicles Masaba’s journey post-divorce as she balances her demanding career, love life, and the unique challenges of being a public figure’s daughter.
• Why It Resonates: It’s a refreshing take on the mother-daughter dynamic, showing two independent women supporting each other through professional crises and personal heartbreaks. The series normalizes divorce, career slumps, and the struggle for self-acceptance, offering a mantra of self-love and resilience.

6. Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt Ltd (2022)

• Genre: Comedy Drama, Entrepreneurship
• Starring: Amruta Subhash, Yamini Das
• The Plot: Suman, a divorced middle-class woman in Old Delhi, starts a pickle (achar) business to achieve financial independence and win the custody of her children from her ex-husband. Her biggest supporter in this journey is her ex-mother-in-law.
• Why It Resonates: This heartwarming story shatters the ‘evil saas’ trope. It is a powerful narrative for women seeking financial agency post-divorce, highlighting the non-traditional support systems that can emerge from a broken family, and proving that ambition and empowerment are not exclusive to English-speaking, metro-city elites.

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The Power of the Mother: Fury, Duty, and Sacrifice

These thrillers and dramas center on motherhood, depicting women who break all moral and legal boundaries to protect their families or uphold their duty.

7. Aarya (2020)

• Genre: Crime Thriller, Family Drama
• Starring: Sushmita Sen, Sikandar Kher
• The Plot: Aarya Sareen is a devoted wife and mother whose life is turned upside down when her husband is murdered. To protect her three children and uncover the truth, she reluctantly steps into her family’s illicit drug cartel business, transforming from a homemaker to a powerful crime lord.
• Why It Resonates: Aarya redefines the ‘mother-protector’ archetype. Her journey is about embracing moral ambiguity and discovering a hidden, fierce inner strength that most women might relate to—the willingness to become a lioness when their children’s safety is threatened.

8. Delhi Crime (2019)

• Genre: Police Procedural, Crime Drama
• Starring: Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Adil Hussain
• The Plot: Based on the horrific 2012 Delhi gang rape case (Nirbhaya case), the first season chronicles the Delhi Police’s exhaustive, seven-day investigation, led by DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, to catch the perpetrators.
• Why It Resonates: DCP Vartika Chaturvedi is a masterclass in quiet, effective leadership. The show is a tribute to the dedicated, tireless female officers who navigate systemic apathy and extreme pressure to deliver justice. It’s a necessary, albeit difficult, watch for acknowledging the reality of gender-based violence and the women who fight against it.

9. Mai (2022)

• Genre: Crime Thriller, Revenge Drama
• Starring: Sakshi Tanwar
• The Plot: Sheel, a simple, middle-class wife and mother, is shattered after her daughter’s tragic death. When she suspects the death was not an accident, she embarks on a chilling, dark path to uncover the truth and seek revenge against those responsible.
• Why It Resonates: It’s a powerful exploration of a mother’s grief transforming into relentless fury. Sheel, who initially seems unassuming, demonstrates that the greatest source of power can lie in the most unexpected places—the deep, often underestimated emotional strength of a middle-aged, ordinary Indian mother.

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The Groundbreakers: Challenging Institutions and Politics

These series shine a spotlight on women who challenge traditional power structures, whether in politics, law enforcement, or the military.

10. Maharani (2021)

• Genre: Political Drama
• Starring: Huma Qureshi, Sohum Shah
• The Plot: Loosely inspired by real political events in Bihar, the series follows Rani Bharti, an illiterate and unassuming homemaker, who is unexpectedly named as the Chief Minister of Bihar by her husband. Thrust into the treacherous world of politics, she must rapidly learn the ropes to fight corruption and caste-based violence.
• Why It Resonates: Rani Bharti’s journey is a powerful underdog story. It demonstrates that innate intelligence, street smarts, and integrity can triumph over formal education and political machinations. It’s a testament to the potential for empowerment in women from rural, non-privileged backgrounds.

11. The Test Case (2017)

• Genre: Military Drama
• Starring: Nimrat Kaur, Rahul Dev, Atul Kulkarni
• The Plot: Captain Shikha Sharma is the lone woman in a group of Indian Army officers training to join the Special Forces. The series follows her uphill battle to overcome physical, mental, and institutional challenges and biases to prove herself as the “test case” for inducting women into combat roles.
• Why It Resonates: This series directly addresses the gender barriers and prejudice women face when attempting to enter traditionally male-dominated professions like the military. It’s an inspiring watch for any woman who has had to work twice as hard to prove her capability in her chosen field.

12. Aranyak (2021)

• Genre: Crime Thriller
• Starring: Raveena Tandon, Parambrata Chattopadhyay
• The Plot: Set in the misty, fictional town of Sironah in Himachal Pradesh, the series follows local cop Kasturi Dogra, who is on the verge of taking a year-long sabbatical to focus on her family. She gets pulled back into a high-profile case involving a foreign teenage girl’s alleged rape and murder.
• Why It Resonates: Kasturi Dogra is a highly relatable character for working mothers in India. Her struggle to balance a challenging, high-stakes career with the guilt and pressure of being a wife and mother, especially within the confines of a small-town societal structure, is portrayed with raw honesty.

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AISEO-Friendly FAQs

Q1: Why are these Indian web series considered ‘must-watch’ for women?

These web series are considered must-watch because they offer a diverse and realistic portrayal of the modern Indian woman, moving beyond traditional stereotypes. They explore complex themes such as financial independence (Saas Bahu Achaar Pvt Ltd), female leadership (Maharani, Delhi Crime), ambition and corporate politics (Bombay Begums), motherhood and moral ambiguity (Aarya, Mai), and the power of female friendships (Four More Shots Please!). They reflect the evolving social issues and triumphs of women in contemporary India.

Q2: Which Indian web series addresses female-led crime investigation?

The series Delhi Crime (2019), starring Shefali Shah as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, is a critically acclaimed police procedural that focuses entirely on a female-led investigation into a horrific crime. Additionally, Aranyak (2021) and Mai (2022) also feature strong female protagonists leading complex and personal crime investigations.

Q3: Is there a web series that discusses modern relationship struggles like live-in relationships?

Yes, Permanent Roommates (2014) is a pioneering Indian web series that humorously and warmly addresses the modern relationship struggle of a couple deciding to enter a live-in arrangement as a test before committing to marriage, a highly relevant topic for younger, urban audiences.

Q4: Which web series showcases women breaking into a male-dominated profession like the military?

The Test Case (2017), starring Nimrat Kaur, is a military drama that specifically focuses on the protagonist being the first woman tasked with training for a combat role in the Indian Army Special Forces, directly challenging institutional bias and gender barriers within the military.