In contrast to traditional TV shows, Bengali OTT platforms have recently generated a lot of buzz about the Bengali web series. Particularly among millennials and Generation Z viewers. Here is a list of some contemporary Bengali web series with intriguing storylines that you should consider adding to your must-watchlist.
Taqdeer
Genre – Crime, Thriller, Mystery
Director – Shawki Syed, Saleh Sobhan Anim
Cast – Chanchal Chowdhury, Sohail Mandal, Sanjida
IMDB Rating – 8.9
Release – 16 December 2020
Taqdeer, an eight-episode web series, tells the story of Taqdeer, a freezer van driver who discovers the body of a journalist in his van. Finding himself in a hopeless situation, he tries to find a way out on his own in the muck of deceit and lawlessness.
It forward whirls through interesting twists and turns, and every character gradually adds clues and reveals the main story behind the dead body, with Chanchal Chowdhury as the protagonist. This series also depicted some current issues in our society as well as political atrocities.
Mohanagar
Genre – Thriller
Director – Ashfak Nipun
Cast – Mosaraf Karim, Shyamal Maula, Momo.
IMDB Rating – 8.7
Release – 25 June 2021
Mahanagar is an eight-episode crime thriller that depicts a seven-hour period inside a police station.
Afnan Chowdhury, the son of a powerful industrialist, went to the Kotwali police station in Dhaka one night after being involved in a hit-and-run accident. Harun, the officer in charge, was on duty that night, and he had been assigned the task of saving Afnan from this mess in exchange for money. However, as the story progresses, unexpected twists and turns occur.
The series has a gripping story that depicts deep-rooted corruption, the misuse of power and money, and the sufferings of ordinary people. The final episode brings the entire story to an unexpected conclusion and lays the groundwork for another exciting season.
Unoloukik
Genre – Drama, Mystery
Director – Robiul Alam Robi
Cast – Asaduzzaman Noor, Gazi Rakayet, Chanchal Chowdhury, Nusrat Imrose Tisha, Rafiath Rashid Mithila, Iresh Zaker, Intekhab Dinar, Mostafa Monwar, Sumon Anwar, Naziba Basher, Shohel Mondol, Farhana Hamid, Sahana Rahman Sumi.
IMDB Rating – 8.4
Release – July 12, 2021
Unoloukik is a Bangladeshi anthology web series directed by Robiul Alam Robi and written by Shibabrata Barman. Individual episodes delve into the human mind’s psychoanalytic journey. This series consists of five episodes. The first episode, Moribar Holo Taar Shwaad, premiered on Chorki on July 12, 2021, and the final episode, Dwikhondito, premiered on August 12, 2021.
Shibabrata Barman’s stories – Moribar Holo Tar Shwaad, Dwikhondito, Jabar Bela Holo (adapted for Mrs. Prohelika), and Television – have been adapted for the series (adapted to Hello Ladies). And he specifically wrote the fifth story, Don’t Write Me, for this series.
August 14
Genre – Crime, Thriller, Drama
Director – Shihab Shaheen
Cast – Tasnuva Tisha, Shatabdi Wadud, Monira Mithu
IMDB Rating -7.9
Release – 14 August 2020
The series is based on a true and horrifying incident that occurred in 2013 when a police officer and his wife were killed by their own daughter. The teenager murdered her own parents on August 14, 2013, and three days later, she surrendered to the police and confessed her crime.
Tasnuva Tisha played Tushi, the character of the adolescent in this series, and delivered an excellent performance. It depicts Tushi’s life prior to committing the crime, her relationship with her parents, and the aftermath.
You can find it on Binge, a local streaming service.
Money Honey
Genre – Crime, Thriller, Mystery
Director – Tanim Noor, Krishnendu Chatterjee
Cast – Shyamal Maula, Mostafizur Nur Rahman, Lutfar, Sumon Anwara, Nishat Priyam
IMDB Rating – 7.3
Release – 26 June 2019
Money Honey is based on a true story of a notorious bank robbery that took place in Dhaka. Shahriar Kabir (Shyamal Maula) works at the Dhaka Stock Exchange. When the stock market crashes, he loses a huge amount of money. On the other hand, Mustafizur Noor Imam (Sohail) kept the money he had saved from abroad and kept it with his uncle. His uncle spends that money on gambling as well as his’s own property. Almost all three are extinct, destitute. The three will be planning to rob the bank.
On the other hand, the responsibility of investigating the bank robbery case later fell on the formidable police officer Amitabh. The story is frozen here. If you want to know how to escape from the hands of the past (police officers) if they can rob a bank, then you have to watch this awesome thriller web series. Everyone has performed well in their respective places. The BGM, cinematography, and excitement of this web series will keep you hooked.
Contract
Genre – Political Thriller
Director – Tanim Nur, Krishnendu Chatterjee
Cast – Arifin Shuvo, Chanchal Chowdhury, Momo
IMDB Rating -7.2
Release – 18 March 2021
This web series stars Chanchal Chowdhury and Arifin Shuvoo in an action-packed political thriller. It is based on the well-received novel ‘Contract’ from Bangladeshi writer Mohammad Nazim Uddin’s ‘Beg Bastard’ series.
The six-part series is about the murky world of politics and how some powerful people hire contract killers for personal gain. Black Ronju, the dreaded don, has returned to Bangladesh after a 15-year absence. The National Security Agency devises a plan to apprehend him, while a semi-retired politician decides to enlist the assistance of an assassin.
For viewers who have read the novel beforehand, the series adaptation may not appear to be as good as the novel. However, the dramatic and thrilling storyline makes it worth watching.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Genre – Drama
Director – Mostofa Sarwar Farooki
Cast – Tasnia Farin, Afzal Hossain, Maria Nur Rowshon, Hasan Masood, Partha Barua, Mamunur Rashid, Mostafa Monwar, Iresh Zaker, Chowdhury (Special Appearance)
IMDB Rating -6.7
Release – July 9, 2021
The eight-part series tackles a variety of sensitive social issues, such as gender inequality, sexual harassment, patriarchy, and so on. Tasnia Farin’s character, Sabila Hossain, succumbs to her boss’s lust. When she decides to file a complaint against her boss after being sexually harassed, the victim-blaming and misogyny culture become more apparent.
Without a doubt, Tasnia is the protagonist, but the character Laura, played by Maria Nur, also plays an interesting role in which she is torn between her father’s love and her sympathy for another woman.
Morichika
Genre – Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director – Shihab Shaheen
Cast – Siam Ahmed, Mahiya Mahi, Afran Nisho, Farhan Ahmed Jovan
IMDB Rating – 6.4
Release – 12 July 2021
A young model’s body was discovered under the bridge one morning. Shakil, a police officer, began investigating the case. The dark world’s hidden information continues to leak. Something that no one ever expects to happen.
Shihab Shaheen nailed it again after AUGUST 14, while people were busy giving positive reviews to the web series Mohanogor and Contract. Both had numerous flaws that the majority of the audience overlooked due to their star power. Except for Mahia Mahi, everyone in Morichika gave it their all; the background music, editing, direction, and screenplay were all excellent.
