20 Movies And TV Shows That Every Desi Woman Should Watch At Least Once In Their Lifetime

Happy Women's Day!

1. Maharani

SonyLIV

This wonderful political drama chronicles the endeavours of Rani Bharti, the wife of Bihar's Chief Minister, as she becomes his successor, much to the chagrin of the powerful men surrounding her. Huma Qureshi delivers a truly fantastic performance.

Where do I watch it?: SonyLIV

2. Delhi Crime

Netflix

Delhi Crime chronicles the horrific Nirbhaya case of 2012, and the investigation conducted by the Delhi Police. It very deservedly won the International Emmy for the Best Drama Series in 2020. Directed by Richie Mehta, it has the splendid Shefali Shah as its protagonist, DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, and a brilliant Rasika Dugal as an idealist trainee cop.

Where do I watch it?: Netflix

3. Made In Heaven

Prime Video

Made In Heaven follows the many adventures of Delhi-based wedding planners and best friends, Tara and Karan. It helps the audience delve into the lives of the rich and fabulous while also offering an insight into just how regressive our society still is. Watch it for the intriguingly complex Tara (Shobhita Dhulipala) and Shweta Tripathi Sharma's marvellous stint as Priyanka Mishra.

Where do I watch it?: Prime Video

4. Human

Disney+ Hotstar

This binge-worthy medical thriller explores the murky underbelly of lethal drug trials, and the exploitation of innocent people by big pharma and private hospitals. The story feels a lot more pertinent owing to the current pandemic. I am including this show on this list because Shefali Shah, Seema Biswas, and Kirti Kulhari, prove their mettle as gifted actors, and you won't be able to take your eyes off them.

Where do I watch it?: Disney+ Hotstar

5. The Test Case

ALTBalaji

The Test Case documents the journey of Captain Shikha Sharma (wonderfully played by Nimrat Kaur) who happens to be the only female Indian Army officer — a "test case" — enrolled to be a part of the Special Forces. With perseverance and wisdom as her best qualities, she efficiently tackles hurdles and biases that are constantly thrown her way.

Where do I watch it?: ALTBalaji

6. Haq Se

ALTBalaji

The story of Meher, Jannat, Amal, and Bano — four sisters with struggles, aspirations, and yearnings of their own — Haq Se is essentially Little Women set in the impossibly stunning, yet turbulent landscapes of Kashmir. Watch it for Surveen Chawla's Dr. Meher Mirza (and in order to relive your crush on Rajeev Khandelwal).

Where do I watch it?: ALTBalaji

7. Aranyak

Netflix

Aranyak is essentially a murder mystery which is peppered with everything from political subterfuges and personal rivalries, to a murderous mythical beast. Set in the fictional town of Sironah, in Himachal Pradesh, this show is Raveena Tandon's OTT debut and she carries it on her very able shoulders.

Where do I watch it?: Netflix

8. Churails

Zindagi / ZEE5

A fabulously feminist web series from Pakistan, Churails documents the lives of four women who get together to form a detective agency that exposes the many rich and unfaithful husbands of Karachi. Their investigations lead to consequences that none of them could have ever imagined. Every single performance — right from Sarwat Gilani's Sara Khan, to Nimra Bucha's Batool — is rock solid, and so is the title track.

Where do I watch it?: ZEE5

9. Pushpavalli

Prime Video

Created by Sumukhi Suresh, Pushpavalli is a toxic, manipulative stalker, whom you sometimes can't help but root for. This is owing to the fact that she also loathes the way she is — largely because she is conditioned to do so by a society that clearly has no place for women who do not meet its dictated beauty standards. Sumukhi is excellent as the titular character and so are Naveen Richard and Shraddha as Pankaj and Vasu.

Where do I watch it?: Prime Video

10. The Fame Game

Netflix

While the life of Anamika Anand, India's most famous Bollywood star, appears to be full of glitz and glam, the truth is that she is perpetually abused by her husband, and constantly admonished by her mother. When she disappears all of a sudden, several shocking secrets start to unravel. There's a reason why Madhuri Dixit is one of the most celebrated actor in our country. 

Where do I watch it?: Netflix

11. Masaba Masaba

Netflix

Inspired by actual events from designer Masaba Gupta's life, Masaba Masaba deals with everything from the impact of Bollywood "blind items" and social media, to divorce and single parenthood — and it does so in an entertaining and often hysterical manner. Neena Gupta proves, yet again, that she is THE queen.

Where do I watch it?: Netflix

12. Laakhon Mein Ek (Season 2)

Prime Video

The brainchild of Biswa Kalyan Rath, Laakhon Mein Ek Season 2 traces the toxic and often unrewarding world of medical camps through its protagonist, Dr. Shreya — efficiently played by Shweta Tripathi Sharma. The plot follows the trials and tribulations of Dr. Shreya as she is posted in the village of Sitlapur to run a cataract camp, but all she is met with is aversion.

Where do I watch it?: Prime Video

13. Aarya

Disney+ Hotstar

Aarya Sareen is back in India and is, yet again, toiling day and night to protect her children from foreign gangsters, rival kingpins, and her own family members. However, unlike the previous season, Aarya is now well-aware of the tricks of the trade. Sushmita Sen proves, for the millionth time, that she is an absolute powerhouse of talent.

Where do I watch it?: Disney+ Hotstar

14. Mimi

Netflix

When Mimi, an aspiring actress and dancer from Rajasthan, hesitantly agrees to become a surrogate mother for an American couple, life throws her many curveballs, which she tackles with a little bit of help from her friends, Bhanu and Shama. A beautiful tale of motherhood, watch Mimi for Kriti Sanon and Pankaj Tripathi's fabulous performances.

Where do I watch it?: Netflix

15. Geeli Pucchi from Ajeeb Daastaans

Netflix

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Geeli Pucchi  is the third (and easily the best) segment of Netflix's anthology film, Ajeeb Daastaans. It follows the rather atypical relationship that Bharti Mandal, a Dalit factory worker, shares with her coworker, Priya, who is a Brahmin data entry operator. The film brilliantly explores issues of caste prejudices and will stay with you for a very long time. Both Konkona Sen Sharma and Aditi Rao Hydari deliver remarkable performances.

Where do I watch it?: Netflix

16. Pagglait

Netflix

During the first few minutes of Pagglait, you might wonder why Sandhya, a recently widowed woman, is not behaving the way widowed women are "supposed" to behave — she scrolls through Facebook, and craves potato chips and Pepsi, instead of wailing the way she'd be expected to, after losing her husband merely five months into their marriage. With its unique treatment, and a wonderful performance by Sanya Malhotra, the film seeks to subvert societal conventions associated with widows and paints a different, and somewhat realistic, picture of grief. 

Where do I watch it?: Netflix

17. Sherni

Prime Video

Vidya Vincent is a diligent and levelheaded Divisional Forest Officer who tackles everyday sexism and red tapism with all the grace and efficiency in the world, while also handling the task of capturing a dangerous man-eating tigress who has been terrorising the locals of a remote village. We all know that Vidya Balan is magnificent at everything she does and Sherni is no exception.  

Where do I watch it?: Prime Video

18. A Thursday

Disney+ Hotstar

At the outset, you might be shocked and baffled to see Naina, an unassuming play school teacher, holding all 16 of her students as hostages, and making ridiculously hefty demands in order to release them. However, as the story of A Thursday progresses, it'll make you root for this anti-hero, and also leave you shaken. Yami Gautam shines in this gem of a film.

Where do I watch it?: Disney+ Hotstar

19. Chhorii

Prime Video

A heavily pregnant Sakshi and her husband Hemant seek shelter in their driver's village after being threatened by goons for money. However, as they arrive in his mysterious home, burrowed deep in the sugarcane fields, Sakshi encounters supernatural forces that threaten her very existence. With a career-defining performance by Nushrratt Bharuccha, and the superb Mita Vashisht in a supporting role, Chhorii delivers an important social message in the most hard-hitting manner possible.

Where do I watch it?: Prime Video

20. Bulbbul

Netflix

A dark yet beautiful fairy tale that will surely remind you of Rabindranath Tagore's works, Bulbbul is the bewitchingly feminist horror movie India desperately needed. It chronicles the life of Bulbbul, a child bride, who then becomes the lady of the house, all while dealing with her troubled past. You won't be able to take your eyes off the immensely talented Tripti Dimri.

Where do I watch it?: Netflix

Which ones did we miss? Share below!