The year 2023 has almost come to an end. When it comes to providing entertainment, SonyLIV did one hell of a job this year. Being one of India’s top OTT platforms, SonyLIV bestowed some amazing, binge-worthy shows and films this year. However, it also occasionally suffered from a lack of original entries. Its reliance on licensed projects proves that the streaming platform needs to develop more original and regional entries to strengthen its presence in the Indian OTT market.
Here are the projects released by SonyLIV streaming platform in 2023! This report considers only SonyLIV originals for the annual analysis.
SonyLIV Originals (Film)
Purusha Pretham
SonyLIV Originals (TV Series)
Story of Things
3Cs – Choices, Chances, and Changes
Potluck Season 2
Jehanabad – Of Love & War
Accidental Farmer & Co
Bad Trip
Rocket Boys Season 2
Iru Dhuruvam Season 2
Garmi
Kafas
College Romance Season 4
The Jengaburu Curse
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story – Volume 1
Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley
Shantit Kranti Season 2
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story – Volume 2
Chamak
Surprisingly, SonyLIV dropped only one original feature this year, Purusha Pretham, a gripping police procedural flick helmed by Krishand. It treasures brilliant performances from the leading lady, Darshana Rajendran, and the rest of the cast, including Alexander Prasanth, Jagadish, and Maala Parvathi. The streaming platform should have released more original films in 2023.
SonyLIV received a steady start in the form of ‘Story of Things’ at the beginning of this year. Despite pacing issues, the series strongly benefits from sensational performances from Vinoth Kishan, Anshita Anand, and Aditi Balan. Madley Blues does a solid job in the music department. This anthology series manages to strike our chords at the right times. However, we cannot say the same about ‘3Cs – Choices, Chances and Changes’. With a crazy and out-of-the-world premise, this series should have been a highly entertaining ride. However, it failed to take proper advantage of its unique premise.
Jehanabad – Of Love & War was a ‘good but not great’ show. It excelled in several departments, including camerawork, direction, and performances, but failed to shine when it mattered the most: the ending. Many viewers strongly criticised its ending. Potluck Season 2 turned out better than the first one, primarily due to the performances of Harman Singha and Jatin Sial. In addition, Cyrus Sahukar stands out with his brilliant and effortless comic timing.
The second season of Iru Dhuruvam was disappointing. Most criticism was directed towards its long-stretched plot and slow narration, which may test your patience. Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Garmi was an average affair. While it did a pretty job at tackling sensitive issues like crime, casteism, and politics, it offered nothing new or groundbreaking in terms of storyline. In other words, this series was not as ‘garam’ as previous Dhulia’s works.
Accidental Farmer & Co was also a poor addition to SonyLIV this year. Despite having plenty of eccentricities to play with, it suffered from a bland script. As a result, it ended up being only a one-time watch. Bad Trip series, starring Chaitanya Krishna, Ravi Varma, Archana Shastry, and more, disappointed too.
Rocket Boys Season 2 was both thrilling and factual. Its last two episodes keep us completely hooked to our screens. Though, Sarabhai’s troubled married life ends up slowing its pace in the middle. Still, it was one of the best shows to come out of the SonyLIV streaming platform in 2023.
Subhash Kapoor’s Kafas was another brilliant SonyLIV original this year. Despite being a bit predictable in terms of story, Kafas manages to hold its own with amazing execution and outstanding performances, particularly from the leading duo of Sharman Joshi and Mona Singh.
College Romance Season 4 looked more serious than its previous entries. But it was a satisfying entry to the show overall. It was a well-paced season and maintained a perfect balance between serious and light-hearted scenarios. Though, it needed some really good one-liners like the previous seasons.
The Jengaburu Curse lived up to the suspense and hype promised in its trailer. It has enough twists and turns to keep us engaged. In addition, it benefits from outstanding performances, brilliant cinematography, and amazing camera work. Hansal Mehta’s Scam 2003: The Telgi Story – Volume 1 was impressive but failed to reach its predecessor’s (Scam 1992) heights. Gagan Dev Riar bestowed a scene-stealing performance in this one. The way he copied Telgi’s mannerisms in the show was amazing.
Vishal Bharadwaj’s Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley turned out to be another decent addition to the director’s filmography. It works well in parts but not as a whole. However, it bestows one hell of a finale in the end. Shantit Kranti Season 2 was a fun ride as well.
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story – Volume 2 was better, bigger, and bolder than the first volume. It makes sure that the patience is rewarded. This one explores the aftereffect of a huge misstep by Telgi: spending lakhs of money at a dance bar. After going through a rollercoaster ride filled with many ups and downs, SonyLIV concluded 2023 on a high note with Chamak, which boasted stellar performances, amazing music, and mesmerising performances, particularly from Paramvir Cheema and Manoj Pahwa.
Apart from the above-mentioned originals, SonyLIV also offered some popular licensed projects to its viewers this year, such as Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Whale, Monarch, A Spy Among Friends, Triangle of Sadness, Fire in the Mountains, Living, Koozhangal, 2018, Twisted Metal, The Fabelmans, and more.
SonyLIV annual rating (2023): 6.5 out of 10
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