An overview of the best web shows in Telugu which have left a solid impact with its storytelling and themes.
Web shows in Telugu have witnessed a slow yet steady growth both in terms of quality and quantity. The last few years have seen numerous impactful web series.
In 2023, there were two great shows Dhootha and Newsense. Both explored the topic of journalism through a different lens. Vikram Kumar’s Dhootha had a supernatural touch with a newspaper cutting playing a pivotal role. The Naga Chaitanya starrer made some important points on the dangers of intersecting politics and journalism, a relevant issue even today.
Newsense on the other hand directed by Sri Prawin Kumar was an insightful take on the nexus between media and rural politics. The story written by journalist Priyadarshini Ram reflected the lived realities.
2024 too gave us numerous web series, covering important social topics like Surya Manoj Vangala’s Brinda starring Trisha in a non-glamorous role. Using the genre of an investigative drama Surya Manoj Vangala explored the side effects of extremism both religious and otherwise.
Similarly, Paruvu directed by the duo of Siddarth Naidu and Rajesekhar Vadlapati was an engrossing social thriller focusing on different issues like caste, greed and communal harmony. The use of the funeral background also kept the viewers hooked adding to the tension.
Apart from thrillers, the second season of Save The Tigers went deeper into marital problems faced by today’s couples while maintaining the entertainment quotient.
This year also saw Telangana’s first detective web show Vikkatakavi: The Chronicles of Amarigiri led by an excellent Naresh Agastya.
Director Pradeep Maddali immersed the viewers into the world of Amaragiri. The director skilfully blended Telangana folk beliefs with the subplot of a bio-war
Following is the list of the best web shows in Telugu in 2024.
Brinda
Brinda opens with a disturbing prologue set in the mid-1990s, where a young girl becomes a scapegoat in a ritual to satisfy a goddess. This unsettling start sets the tone for the main plot. The story follows Brinda, a newly appointed sub-inspector, portrayed by Trisha.
Initially confined to desk work, Brinda suffers from anxiety and relies on medication. When a series of murders occur, she defies her superiors, leading to life-altering consequences.
A key strength of Brinda is how Surya Manoj Vangala expands the story beyond Brinda’s character. While Trisha is central, Ravindra Vijay, playing fellow cop Sarathi, also plays an essential role. Sarathi is waiting for a breakthrough in his career and personal life. The evolving dynamic between Brinda and Sarathi creates some of the show’s most compelling moments.
In addition to themes of extremism and blind faith, Brinda also addresses gender discrimination in the workplace and the importance of child care in juvenile prisons. Trisha breaks away from her glamorous image to deliver a nuanced performance. Alongside Ravindra Vijay, Indrajith Sukumaran also stood out as the charming yet calculating Dr Satya/Prof. Kabir Anand.
Save The Tigers Season 2
Save The Tigers Season 2 successfully took off from the immensely popular first one. New director Arun Kothapally did a great job maintaining the entertainment value while delving deeper into marital issues.
The theme of the seven-year itch stood out, through the character of Vikram, played by Krishna Chaitanya. Vikram works on a project with Harika (Darshana Banik). What starts as a professional relationship soon turns into mutual attraction. However, Vikram realizes that understanding his wife is more important, and a better sense prevails.
As in Season 1, the interactions between Abhinav Gomatam and the house help were a highlight. A memorable scene occurs when Rohini discusses her business aspirations, joking about what captions to write on an auto rickshaw, leading to some hilarious moments. The director also made some valid points about people who blindly believe gossip spread by news channels, particularly about actresses.
Priyadarshi, as Ghanta Ravi, continued to shine with his impactful performance, excelling in both comedic and emotional scenes. Among the female cast, Jordar Sujatha made the biggest impact.
Vikkatakavi The Chronicles of Amaragiri
Vikkatakavi, directed by Pradeep Maddalli, was a highly engaging detective thriller with a strong Telangana flavour. The story followed Naresh Agastya as Ramakrishna, also known as Vikkatakavi. Apart from being a brilliant student, Ramakrishna is renowned for his exceptional investigative skills. Due to certain circumstances, he embarks on a dangerous mission in the village of Amaragiri.
One of the standout aspects of Vikkatakavi was its world-building. Cinematographer Shoeb Siddiqui’s work was particularly impressive. The rustic village atmosphere, combined with thrilling night sequences, drew viewers in. The series also succeeded due to the constant tussle between superstitions and rationalism.
Naresh Agastya’s performance in the title role further elevated the plot. He brought the right mix of boyish charm and intensity to his character. Among the supporting cast, singer-turned-actor Raghu Kanche also impressed with his remarkable performance. His ability to convey negative traits through subtle expressions was a delight to watch.
Paruvu
Paruvu, directed by Siddarth Naidu and Rajasekhar Vadlapati, is a well-crafted thriller that tackles various social issues. While the core plot revolves around the theme of honour killing, what makes the show gripping is how the directors blend different aspects into the central narrative.
The story centres on Nivetha Pethuraj’s character, Dolly (aka Pallavi), and her husband Sudheer (Naresh Agastya). Dolly had married Sudheer against her family’s wishes and now returns to her native village, Guntur, to pay respects to her deceased uncle. Her cousin, Chandrasekhar (Chandu), picks them up. Dolly is heavily pregnant but this doesn’t soften Chandu. There is an exchange of heated words leading to a big turn of events.
A major strength of Paruvu is its well-written characters, beyond just the leads. Each character has shades of grey, with Sudheer and Pallavi occasionally appearing opportunistic.
The funeral setting adds to the drama, with the relatives insulting each other while settling old scores. At times, it seems like no one cares about the departed soul, enhancing the narrative.
Both Nivetha Pethuraj and Naresh Agastya delivered brilliant performances, fully embodying their characters. In the supporting cast, Naga Babu surprised with his portrayal of MLA Ramayya, bringing out the impact of caste-based politics in rural Andhra. Praneetha Patnaik also gave a noteworthy performance.
Bahishkarana
Bahishkarana, directed by Mukesh Prajapathi, is an intense rural drama that effectively transports viewers to the era of feudalistic landlords.
Anjali plays the mysterious Pushpa, who arrives in the village of Peddapalli. She then becomes involved with Shivaya (Ravindra Vijay), who assigns his right-hand man, Darshi (Sritej), to look after her. As the story unfolds, Darshi and Pushpa fall in love, with many twists and turns along the way.
A strong aspect of Bahishkarana is its period setting. Cinematographer Prasanna Kumar does an excellent job capturing the rustic landscape of Peddapalli. The love story between Darshi and Pushpa is well-developed, making the viewers hope for a happy ending.
The dialogues, written by Shayam, are perfectly in sync with the story. They offer impactful social commentary on the exploitation of the poor, while also addressing how society views women like Pushpa.
The performances of the three main characters were captivating. Anjali delivered a bold and compelling performance. Ravindra Vijay’s portrayal of Shivaya, with shades of legendary actor Rao Gopal Rao’s roles, was excellent. Shivaya appears to be a do-gooder but is, in fact, a womanizer, and Vijay brought this subtle menace to life. Sritej also impressed with his rugged portrayal of his character.
At times, the show felt reminiscent of Rangasthalam, but overall, it remained engaging.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
