Watching content on OTT platforms is my favourite way to pass the time. While P is very selective about the content he binges on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+Hotstar, Jio Cinema, and other OTT platforms, I can watch anything and everything. And over the past two weeks, that’s precisely what I did. Starting in June, there were several new shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and I chose to watch them back-to-back. From Lust Stories 2 to Scoop, Glamorous to Jee Karda, I managed to watch around five shows in just one week. Now, I’ve decided to share my thoughts about each of them with you and recommend the ones I enjoyed the most for your weekend watchlist.
So, without further ado, here’s a list of the shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video that I binged on in the past week:
1. Lust Stories 2: A Lackluster Successor!
Do you remember ‘Lust Stories’ from 2018, featuring that iconic scene with Kiara Advani that shattered barriers and sparked conversations about women’s pleasure? Well, the anthology returned to Netflix with a second season, and like many others who loved the first one, I was filled with anticipation. With acclaimed directors such as R Balki, Konkona Sensharma, Sujoy Ghosh, and Amit Ravindranath Sharma each creating their own world of short films exploring ‘lust,’ all eyes were on ‘Lust Stories 2.’ The star-studded cast, including Kajol, Kumud Mishra, Tillotama Shome, Amruta Subhash, Neena Gupta, Mrunal Thakur, Angad Bedi, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Vijay Varma, couldn’t have been better.
Each of the four short films – “Made For Each Other,” “The Mirror,” “Sex with The Ex,” and “Tilchatta” – attempted to showcase different aspects of lust and its existence. However, I personally didn’t find any of them appealing. If I had to sum up “Lust Stories 2” in one word, it would be forgettable. Its predecessor had memorable elements that sparked conversations with each short film. Sadly, “Lust Stories 2” lacked the ability to initiate meaningful discussions. Even though Neena Gupta’s “Made For Each Other” had the potential to explore pre-marital sex in an arranged marriage setting and stimulate conversations, it lost its way with a borderline cringe-worthy character and a meandering storyline. The other three tales may have had layers, but they failed to leave a lasting impression once I turned off my TV.
While performances by Tillotama Shome, Amruta Subhash, Neena Gupta, and Kajol were outstanding, “Lust Stories 2” itself lacks the punch that made its predecessor so impactful. Hence, you may choose to not add it to your weekend watchlist!
2. Scoop: An Engaging & Pacy Show!
Rarely does a show come along on Netflix, crafted by an Indian filmmaker, that leaves you in awe of the story, direction, actors, and overall vibe. ‘Scoop’ by Hansal Mehta was one such show that I had the pleasure of watching last month. It brought to life the gripping true story of Jigna Vora, a former crime reporter. From the very beginning, Hansal Mehta managed to capture my attention and keep me hooked throughout.
Karishma Tanna, portraying the role of Jagruti Pathak, the crime reporter framed for conspiring with underworld gangster Chota Rajan to murder a rival journalist, Jaideb Sen, delivered an exceptional performance. She flawlessly portrayed the passion of an ambitious reporter while showcasing the warmth of a loving mother. Her jail scenes showcased her acting prowess, revealing both her talent and Hansal’s directorial skills.
Harman Baweja, making a comeback after a long hiatus, also surprised audiences with his performance in ‘Scoop.’ Portraying a corrupt cop acting under government pressure, Harman left an indelible mark with his strong portrayal. Inayat Sood as Deepa, the ambitious journalist ready to go to any lengths for a scoop is convincing and does a fabulous job to portray the competition in the field of journalism. Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub as Jagruti’s Editor-In-Chief has some of the most impactful dialogues and he delivers them with finesse!
‘Scoop’ is a show you absolutely cannot afford to miss if you enjoy real-to-reel-life dramas. It will captivate you with its engaging storyline, fast-paced narrative, and stellar performances.
3. Social Currency: Classic Cringe Binge!
Think ‘Big Boss,’ but with Influencers! That’s precisely how I would sum up ‘Social Currency’ on Netflix. The show brings together eight influencers from various platforms and places them in a house where they have no access to their social accounts or followers. Among the notable names are Parth Samthaan, Vagmita Singh, Mridul Madhok, Sakshi Chopra, Roshni Rai, Aakash Mehta, Bhavin Bhanushali, and Ruhi Singh. Once inside the house, they must start from scratch, working hard to rebuild their social media presence, gain followers, and earn money for essentials like room rent and food bills.
While the concept of this reality show has its merits, the influencers themselves turned out to be quite disappointing. With the exception of Parth Samthaan, Bhavin Bhanushali, Vagmita, and Aakash, the other influencers only added to the cringe factor. So, if you enjoy cringe-worthy shows that you can binge on, you might consider spending your time watching ‘Social Currency’ on Netflix. Otherwise, you might want to preserve your brain cells and explore other options.
Also Read: Netflix’s Queen Charlotte Is A Binge-Worthy Prequel To Bridgerton & Here Are 5 Reasons Why!
4. Glamorous: A Fun Flirtation With Beauty & Pride!
The most amazing way to showcase and represent the queer community on screen is by portraying them in everyday situations without judgment. And that’s precisely what the new show ‘Glamorous’ on Netflix aims to do. Honestly, they have succeeded quite impressively. The cast of this delightful show includes the talented and reliable Kim Cattrall, Miss Benny, Jade Peyton, Zane Phillips, and Michael Hsu Rosen.
‘Glamorous’ tells the story of Marco Mejia (played by Miss Benny), a beauty influencer who lands a job at a major cosmetics company led by former supermodel Madolyn Addison (played by Kim). From Marco’s quest for true love to Madolyn’s complex relationship with her son Chad, ‘Glamorous’ keeps you hooked until the very end. It strikes the perfect balance of entertainment.
If you’re in the mood for a light, fun, and carefree show to watch this weekend, I highly recommend you dive into ‘Glamorous’ and immerse yourself in the beautiful world the writers have created.
5. Jee Karda: A Casual, One-Time Watch!
Another show I binged last week is ‘Jee Karda’ on Prime. Starring Tamannaah Bhatia, Suhail Nayyar, Aashim Gulati, Hussain Dalal, Sayan Banerjee, Anya Singh, Samvedna Suwalka, Kira Narayanan and Simone Singh, Jee Karda is the story of 7 childhood friends. The plot is simple. It revolves around these 7 friends who are warned by a fortune teller about them turning 30 and how their life will be nothing like they have imagined by then. The themes that the show follows are modern-day friendship, complicated love and LGBTQIA+ relationships.
When I started watching the show, I realised that the plot is predictable and it ended up being just that. Yes, there was entertainment but the writers couldn’t keep it up till the end, which left me disappointed. In performances, Tamannaah opts to play a bold modern-day woman who doesn’t want to get married and to be honest, she does her job well. Another actor who nailed his act is Aashim Gulati as Arjun Gill. The other actors were okayish and their characters didn’t really leave much of an impact on me. However, when they all came together, it was fun to watch how they have each other’s back in tough times.
Undeniably, ‘Jee Karda’ exudes a relatable vibe, primarily due to its exploration of friendship dynamics. Yet, if I’m being honest, it isn’t a show that will linger in your thoughts for an extended period. It’s more of a momentary pleasure, perfect for those times when you simply want to unwind without any profound expectations. So, if you find yourself in need of something to watch and don’t mind a predictable plot, ‘Jee Karda’ can provide an enjoyable escape. Just remember, it may not leave a lasting impression, but it’s a decent choice for a casual viewing experience.
While I enjoyed some of these web series and OTT films, some of them really burned my brain cells. Now, it’s completely up to you what you’d love to binge. If you’ve already seen some or all of these, let me know your review in the comments below!
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