The shift towards more local content by streaming platforms operating in India was pretty evident throughout the year. However, platforms like ZEE5 took things to a whole new level. Instead of merely being local, they opted for a “hyper-local” approach in terms of content delivery and storytelling, allowing them to offer a wide and diverse range of high-stakes thrillers, nuanced social dramas, and gripping regional narratives.
Here is a month-by-month look at how ZEE5 captured the cultural zeitgeist in 2025 (this report sheds light only on ZEE5 original titles, not licensed ones).
January – March 2025
ZEE5 remained relatively quiet at the start of 2025 in terms of the delivery of original titles. Hisaab Barabar kicked off ZEE5’s original content slate for January, with R. Madhavan delivering a nuanced performance that resonated with the common man. However, a large portion of the audience found the script flawed and formulaic.
Mrs., featuring Sanya Malhotra, emerged as a critical darling and a big win among viewers. Malhotra’s work, in particular, stood out, and audiences lauded its gut-wrenching portrayal of systemic patriarchy.
Pyaar Testing, an experimental romantic drama, became a favourite among young viewers for its honest take on modern relationships, love, and compatibility. Lead performances were decent, but the lack of originality and uneven dialogue were evident.
Crime Beat, led by Saqib Saleem, received a mediocre response from both critics and viewers. It was praised for its lead performances and Sudhir Mishra’s direction, but criticised for uneven scripting, predictable twists, and a lack of strong support from the supporting cast.
Vitro Mates was a decent addition to ZEE5’s content library and received praise for its sensitive handling of infertility. Viewers lauded Tridha Choudhury’s performance and the show’s support group narrative. Chahatein found itself entangled in heavy soap-opera tropes but was saved by decent lead performances.
Seruppugal Jaakirathai was found to be a breezy time-pass, benefitting immensely from good comic timing. However, it suffered from a poor and somewhat repetitive plot.
April – June 2025
Babil Khan’s Logout was an instant and massive hit on ZEE5. Khan delivered a magnetic and highly intense performance. The film was also praised for its relatable exploration of cyberstalking and digital isolation. However, it faced criticism for inconsistent pacing, technical flaws, and a rushed, predictable climax that occasionally undermined its impactful social commentary.
Kaafir received mixed-to-positive responses, with praise directed at the lead performances, emotional depth, and its themes related to conflict and humanity.
In the regional space, the Kannada title Ayyana Mane carved out its own niche. It was celebrated by local critics and viewers for its authentic world-building, music, and outstanding work from leading lady Kushee Ravi. However, it failed to reach its full potential due to underdeveloped subplots and inconsistent pacing.
Costao, led by the supremely talented Nawazuddin Siddiqui, was another major hit for ZEE5. Siddiqui delivered a compelling performance, though some viewers found the film underwhelming due to its slow pace and lack of dramatic depth, particularly in the second half.
Helmed by Ajoy Varma Raja, Interrogation took some time to impress viewers. However, once audiences settled into it, they appreciated its lean 90-minute storytelling format that avoids unnecessary subplots.
Andhar Maya was seen as a gripping, atmospheric Marathi horror web series. It benefited from strong performances (especially from Rutuja Bagwe and Kishore Kadam), effective plot twists, and an unsettling ambience, although the initial episodes were somewhat slow-paced.
In June 2025, Bibhishon stood out as a stylistic triumph. Critics hailed its noir aesthetic and complex lead character, labelling it a much-needed evolution of the Bengali detective tradition. In the Telugu market, Viraatapalem: PC Meena Reporting offered a gritty, boots-on-the-ground look at rural policing that resonated deeply with audiences.
Meanwhile, Detective Sherdil and Chhal Kapat turned out to be major disappointments, despite featuring immensely talented performers such as Diljit Dosanjh and Shriya Pilgaonkar, respectively.
July – September 2025
July 2025 was largely carried by Kaalidhar Laapata, which emerged as a massive success for ZEE5. Most viewers loved its slow-burn execution and one of the best acting performances delivered by Abhishek Bachchan. However, the pacing did not suit everyone and became a point of contention as well. Bachchan’s heartwarming chemistry with Daivik Baghela was a welcome plus, though the film suffered from a somewhat formulaic approach and inconsistent writing.
Saravanan carried Sattamum Needhiyum on his capable shoulders, but the series was let down by underdeveloped supporting characters, uneven pacing, and a rushed plot. It remains binge-worthy for its social relevance and tension but lacks the depth of a truly impactful legal drama.
Bakaiti was another big hit for ZEE5 during this period. Audiences loved its unapologetic use of local dialects and sharp, witty banter among the cast.
Tehran was a record-breaking success for ZEE5, thanks to John Abraham’s restrained yet impactful performance, gritty realism, authentic atmosphere-building, strong technical aspects, and exploration of the human cost of conflict. However, it was not without flaws, suffering from a somewhat formulaic plot and a weak middle act.
Shodha received mostly positive responses from audiences. It delivered a compelling plot, powerful performances, suspenseful twists, and emotional depth, though some felt the narrative was slightly stretched.
Despite its slow pace and largely conventional plot, Mothevari Love Story was another big success for ZEE5, owing to its effective blend of emotion, comedy, and relatable rural setting.
Kammattam, a Malayalam crime thriller, received mixed responses. It was lauded for its lead performances (particularly Sudev Nair), as well as its production design and cinematography. However, uneven writing and rushed pacing prevented it from matching the high standards of the acclaimed Malayalam thriller genre.
Janaawar emerged as September 2025’s standout. Starring Bhuvan Arora, the series explored the dark underbelly of human nature. Viewers described it as visceral and unsettling, praising its use of crime investigation to comment on systemic inequality.
October – December 2025
Veduvan, starring Kanna Ravi, was seen as an ambitious but flawed attempt. While it tackled the ethical dilemmas surrounding encounter killings, the 20-minute episodes felt too hurried to allow for deep emotional engagement, ultimately only scratching the surface of its complex themes.
Despite the star power of Arshad Warsi and Jitendra Kumar, reviews for Bhagwat: Chapter 1 – Raakshas remained polarising. While the electric interrogation scenes between the leads were praised, many felt the narrative lacked freshness and drew heavily from earlier successes such as Sector 36 and Dahaad.
Rangbaaz: The Bihar Chapter earned favourable reviews for its raw, unglamorised depiction of the intersection between crime and politics. While critics noted some predictable beats and a slower pace, Vineet Kumar Singh’s commanding performance stood out.
Inspired by the rooted folklore wave, Maarigallu received mixed-to-positive reviews. While praised for its cinematography, many viewers felt the execution faltered under the shadow of Kantara, labelling it an engaging yet uneven mystical drama.
Ganoshotru, a Bengali crime-thriller anthology series, emerged as a sleeper hit. Revisiting Bengal’s most notorious criminals, it was praised for its unsettling precision and Paoli Dam’s mesmerising performance.
Baai Tujhtapaayi was a major critical winner. Directed by Nipun Dharmadhikari, it was lauded for its spirited critique of blind faith. Critics praised the central mother–daughter bond and convincing milieu, though some felt the ending was slightly rushed.
Regai remained a heavily buzzed-about title for ZEE5 in November. This Tamil investigative thriller is centred on a high-stakes hunt for a serial killer, using cutting-edge forensic science as its backbone. It received mostly positive reviews, with audiences appreciating its lack of melodramatic excess.
Inspection Bungalow made history as Malayalam cinema’s first horror-comedy series. It was praised for its ambitious genre-blending and brisk pacing but criticised for dated humour and formulaic writing.
Reviews for Thode Door Thode Paas were largely mixed to positive. Relatable dialogue and strong chemistry between the leads stood out, though some felt the narrative was too thin to sustain a full season.
The most anticipated release of December 2025, Saali Mohabbat, marked Tisca Chopra’s directorial debut and featured a powerhouse performance by Radhika Apte. However, its slow pace, uneven writing, and predictable plot points prevented it from emerging as a truly compelling or groundbreaking work.
Be Dune Teen became a major hit, particularly in Maharashtra. Viewers loved its heartfelt storytelling and relatability, hailing it as a refreshing break from the year’s heavy crime thrillers.
Ronkini Bhavan excelled in creating an eerie atmosphere through strong performances and consistent tension, but lacked a fast-paced plot or frequent twists. It remains a solid choice for fans of slow-burn psychological suspense.
Date with Saie received largely poor reviews. Viewers criticised its predictable scripting, riddled with logical flaws and narrative gaps. Despite decent casting, the series felt overstretched, with many suggesting the concept was better suited to a short film.
Reviews for Nayanam were polarised. While praised for its mind-bending sci-fi concept, Varun Sandesh’s performance, and atmospheric background score, it suffered from technical continuity errors, an underwhelming climax, and predictable investigative tropes.
Heartiley Battery was seen as a charming Tamil sci-fi romance praised for its creative love-meter concept. Viewers and critics alike found it a light, engaging, and clean watch. While not groundbreaking, it stood out for its relatable characters and thoughtful take on modern human emotions.
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