June 2025 turned out to be a bigger and better month for ZEE5 compared to May this year in terms of entertainment and content delivery. That’s not to say the OTT platform was completely quiet in May; it did drop six titles, both originals and licensed. However, the only one that truly stood out was Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s Costao.
In contrast, June brought a flood of new content. ZEE5 rolled out several titles, including Emraan Hashmi’s Ground Zero, Diljit Dosanjh’s Detective Sherdil, Shriya Pilgaonkar’s Chhal Kapat series, and more. While some of these releases left a strong impression on viewers, others fell flat. Let’s dive into what worked and what didn’t.
Chhal Kapat: The Deception
Streaming Date: June 6, 2025
Chhal Kapat largely faced the wrath of viewers, many of whom slammed it as a “poorly written and terrible thriller series.” Critics and audiences alike pointed to its failure to build tension, wooden acting, and a predictable, unengaging plot. Despite Shriya Pilgaonkar’s solid performance, the show squandered its potential due to weak writing, poor direction, and uninspired technical aspects.
Devil’s Double Next Level
Streaming Date: June 13, 2025
This Santhanam starrer didn’t fare well at the box office, prompting an early OTT release on ZEE5. What could have been a gripping horror-comedy turned out to be a standard, one-time entertainer. The reception was mixed.
Some viewers appreciated the film’s unique blend of horror and comedy, especially Rajendran’s performance and its self-aware commentary on cinema, calling it a fun ride. Others, however, criticised its poor execution, inconsistent humour, weak writing, and underdeveloped characters.
Prince and Family
Streaming Date: June 20, 2025
Prince and Family emerged as a decent family entertainer. It had plenty of emotional and okayish humour, with Dileep delivering a grounded performance.
The film effectively tackles the relevant issue of toxic social media influencer culture and its impact. While the songs are forgettable, strong performances from Raniya Raanaa and the supporting cast, along with a meaningful message, make it a good watch, especially for families, and a refreshing improvement for Dileep.
Ground Zero
Streaming Date: June 20, 2025
While Ground Zero struggled in theatres, it found a second life on ZEE5. Emraan Hashmi’s realistic and grounded performance received widespread praise. Many viewers also appreciated the film’s subtle storytelling, particularly its avoidance of jingoism.
Still, some felt the film lacked emotional depth, occasionally came off as formulaic, and presented a reductive view of Kashmir. With tighter execution, it could have made a stronger impact.
Detective Sherdil
Streaming Date: June 20, 2025
Diljit Dosanjh’s Detective Sherdil dropped the same day as Ground Zero. While audiences found this mystery-comedy to be a passable entertainer, critics were more critical. The major gripes included a predictable plot, underutilisation of a talented ensemble cast, and an overdependence on Diljit’s charm to carry the film.
Viraatapalem: PC Meena Reporting
Streaming Date: June 27, 2025
Viraatapalem: PC Meena Reporting marked ZEE5’s second original series in June 2025, and it received a mixed to negative reception. While some noted a promising premise of a cursed village and a tough female constable, many found the execution flawed with amateurish writing, inconsistent pacing, and lifeless performances.
The series, despite glimpses of potential, ultimately delivered a predictable and routine narrative, failing to capitalise on its intriguing setup.
Parineeta
Streaming Date: June 27, 2025
This Bengali film struck a chord with ZEE5 viewers and was widely praised as one of the platform’s best recent offerings. Its heartfelt storytelling and well-paced narrative were standout elements. Subhashree’s natural and powerful performance was highlighted as her best yet, and the music was commended for fitting the mood of the story perfectly.
Bibhishon
Streaming Date: June 27, 2025
Another Bengali gem that resonated with viewers in June was Bibhishon. This ZEE5 original series earned praise as a masterpiece and even a trendsetter by some. The story, centred on a peculiar criminal and a sympathetic cop, offers a sharp critique of police brutality.
Audiences lauded the series for its compelling narrative, intelligent writing, and particularly for Amit Saha’s pivotal performance. The strong casting and gripping plot kept viewers hooked throughout.
Ata Thambaycha Naay!
Streaming Date: June 28, 2025
Ata Thambaycha Naay! emerged as one of the most emotionally resonant films in ZEE5’s June lineup. It was praised for evoking both smiles and tears, offering a balanced blend of drama and sentiment. Reviewers noted its technical finesse—effective screenplay, sharp camerawork, and complementary music—that kept viewers thoroughly engaged.
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
