The ever-growing consumption of content made by the entertainment industry has gone over several shifts over time — from tapes to cabled TV to DVDs and now online streaming. YouTube is one popular site that everyone knows about, and it has formed its collection of shows and films.

The Indian film industry or more precisely Bollywood is not the only source of films out there. India has many new production houses which are continually coming out with their short films and shows to bring to light social situations, thrills, comedy and more.

Short films or web shows aren’t always preferred because of their lack of financial gain and are mostly made out of passion and to tell a story and therefore almost pack a punch every time.

This article will talk about shows, and short films which we feel are worth checking out.

Also read: 25 must-watch Netflix Originals you should binge on

Shows

Pitchers

Starring Naveen Kasturia, Jitendra Kumar, Arunabh Kumar, and Abhay Mahajan this web series written by Biswapati Sarkar, directed by Amit Golani and produced by TVF (The Viral Fever) is one that revolves around four friends who all work together on a startup.

The show is like a journey of discovery for them as they leave their stable salaried jobs to work on something that is not at all concrete. In the process we see them come across challenges which they need to overcome.

You can find the first three episodes on YouTube and head to TVF’s site for the last two.

Kota Factory

Kota Factory by TVF is an ongoing series (at the time of writing) that follows the life of a student vying for a place in India’s premier technical institutes, IIT. The series, starring Jitendra Kumar, also sets a different tone with its black and white production.

The show is written by Abhishek Yadav, created by Saurabh Khanna and directed by Raghav Subbu.

Baked

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajxyYf3PENo

This web series by ScoopWhoop follows the life of three Delhi University roommates who embark on a journey to start a midnight delivery service. Embrace their fun and get lost in the nostalgia of carefree college life.

This show is written and directed by Vishwajoy Mukherjee and stars Shantanu Anam, Pranay Manchanda and Manik Papneja in the lead roles.

Son of Abish

The Abish Mathew hosted comedy talk show debuted in the year 2015 and is now on its fifth season. It has had several famous personalities on the show including Vishal Dadlani, Swara Bhaskar, Radhika Apte, Sania Mirza, Sumeet Vyas and a lot of other prominent names from the entertainment industry as well as stand up comics.

The series has a long list of writers behind it and has had three different directors until now, but Aakriti Mehta has directed the most number of episodes.

Man’s World

Written and directed by Vikram Gupta, this show focusses upon the scenario which reverses the roles of men and women. The main character played by Gaurav Pandey prays to god for the male and female roles to be reversed as he was fed up with the way the world treated the opposite sex. It has been said that one must be careful about what they wish for and this show develops upon that.

Permanent Roommates

TVF has made quite an impression on the web series scene with its earlier productions and this show is another show that has helped them create an impact. Biswapati Sarkar wrote permanent Roommates and directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and Sameer Saxena.

The show stars Sumeet Vyas and Nidhi Singh in the lead roles as characters who are part of long-distance relationship. It follows their tumultuous journey which commences when Sumeet’s character returns from the United States with a proposal for marriage.

Official Chukyagiri

Official Chukyagiri follows the corporate life of an intern, Spandan Chukya played by Sunny Kaushal who joins a famous company after doing his MBA. The show follows all the hardships and random situations that he faces on his path to become a permanent employee. Sizil Srivastava directs it.

Girl in the City

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3E8FHEglbs

Released to the public in 2016 this show revolves around a young girl played by Mithila Palkar who is an aspiring fashion designer who moves to Mumbai to live out her dreams and strive to get to her aspirations.

Sanyukta Chawla Shaikh wrote it, and Samar Shaikh directed.

Also read: How to play YouTube videos with a locked screen on Android

Short Films

Shame

Starring Swara Bhaskar under Anusha Bose’s first directorial effort, this short film has a revenge-centric theme to it. Shame focuses upon the work of a housekeeper whose ponderous mind brings to her fantasies which in a way lead to an illicit affair that changes the course of her life in ways one does not expect. Anusha Bose also writes it.

Meeraas

Made under the Six Sigma Films banner, Meeraas focuses on domestic violence, it is directed by Saurabh K Thakur and stars Sadiya Siddiqui. Rather than tell a proper story, this film tries to signify the importance of speaking up against injustices. The convictions of a submissive character are tested when she finds someone else to be in a position similar to hers and makes her question her actions of keeping quiet and wonder if it was ever a right decision.

Chutney

Directed and written by Jyoti Kapur Das who has been the creative head for movies like Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Queen one can surely expect this film to bring its twist to explaining situations. It stars Adil Hussain, Tisca Chopra and Rasika Dugal.

The film has a setting which shows us the assertive behaviour of a woman in a way that has never been portrayed before.

Interior Cafe Night

Director Adhiraj Bose has we can say captured the essence of all ages into this short film. The story revolves around two sets of people and how the decisions they made that one night affected how their futures turn. The young character played by Naveen Kasturia shows us the vulnerable male side that Shah’s character may have experienced 30 years ago when he was in a similar situation, and then the film shows us Shah’s character’s determination to get back what he once had and not lose the second chance given to him.

Karma Cafe

A film that plays out more like a story of self-discovery is what this Kabeer Khurana written directorial is. The lead character played by Nakul Sahdev is an estranged lover who stumbles upon a unique cafe where he meets its peculiar kind-hearted owner and has to come to terms with his feelings to receive his desired meal.

The Road Trip from Love Shots

The Road Trip written by Aparna Nadig,  Ashish Patil and directed by Ankur Tewari is the first film from the series of six that were announced by Y-films, this film has an ending that one does not expect. The film follows a couple played by Nimrat Kaur and Tahir Raj Bhasin and their conversation about their relationship during their road trip in the foreground of a smoking car.

Rogan Josh

Rogan Josh directed and written by Sanjeev Vig, starring Naseeruddin Shah is a film with an undertone that will tug at many Indian hearts. The character Vijay is a chef at Hotel Taj, Mumbai and is shown to be celebrating his 65th birthday with his family when discussions about the tragic incident that took place in their lives take place.

Also read: Top 25 most subscribed YouTube channels