As India celebrates 73 years of becoming a republic on Wednesday, the COVID-19 pandemic has once again called for a subdued celebration. So while you celebrate Republic Day low key, we bring you a list of web series you can binge-watch with your friends and family that is sure to arouse the feeling of patriotism in you.
'Family Man' Season 1 and 2: One of the most talked-about web series of 2019 and 2021, is the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer 'The Family Man'. Manoj, as Shrikant Tiwari is a middle-class man secretly working as a senior officer in the Threat Analysis and Surveillance Cell (TASK) and does everything in his strength and might to save his country. The first season has him dealing with terrorists trying to gas Delhi in a wave of mass destruction, while the second one sees him fight against Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who plays a Sri Lankan Tamil freedom fighter, out to take revenge for the atrocities faced by people. Both the seasons are edge-of-the-seat thrillers with drama and comedy sprinkled in it, in just the right amount. Sharib Hashmi plays the able sidekick, JK, and his chemistry with Bajpayee is crackling. The series is available on Amazon Prime Video.
'Mumbai Diaries 26/11': One aspect that everyone forgets when we speak about terror attacks is the impact it has on the hospitals. The first web series to show the reality of what doctors faced during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is this. Starring Mohit Raina and Konkona Sen Sharma, this web series shows you what the hospital staff and the doctors did to save lives when they had limited medical supplies and an overwhelming number of patients while facing a terrorist attack. The series is available on Amazon Prime Video.
'The Regiment Diaries': 'Regiment Diaries' is a tale of the Indian Army - a living chronicle of events - told by the very men who follow the illustrious feats of their predecessors. The series has the soldiers sharing their stories, often inspiring us and bringing tears in our eyes but surely making us realise how much sacrifice goes into protecting the country so that its people can go on living their life peacefully. It is available on Netflix.
'The Test Case': It is one of the very few web series which has a female protagonist essay an army officer. Nimrat Kaur stars as the main lead in this series and her character is that of an only woman in a group of Indian Army officers training to join the Special forces. She is also the first woman to be undertaking the course making her a "test case" for inducting women into combat-oriented roles in the Indian army. With an IMDb rating of 8.4, this web series is inspiring and gives encouragement and hope for more women to join the Indian Army. Catch it on Alt Balaji.
'The Forgotten Army - Azaadi Ke Liye': This series is based on the true events of men and women in the Indian National Army (INA) led by Subhash Chandra Bose. The INA, which was born out of Indian soldiers who defected to the Empire of Japan during WWII, had the first women's infantry regiment since the Russian units of 1917-1918. The story shows how these soldiers (consisting of both men and women) fought against all odds to gain India its independence but their struggle and story somehow got lost and they became 'the forgotten army'. The series stars Sunny Kaushal and Sharvari Wagh. It is available on Amazon Prime Video.
'Code M': Jennifer Winget anchors this thriller drama, as an Army lawyer, Monica Mehra who gets roped in to solve, what seems like an open and shut case, of the death of an army officer and two militant suspects, killed in an encounter, but uncovers many dark and disturbing secrets in the process. This series is available on ALT Balaji and ZEE5.
‘Jeet Ki Zid’: The show talks of patriotism and valour, it celebrates will power to triumph against all odds. Importantly, it has the often underrated Amit Sadh bringing alive a remarkable life on screen. The seven-episode series is based on the true story of Special Forces Officer Major Deependra Singh Sengar, or Deep, played by Amit Sadh, who was left paralysed from the waist down during the war. While doctors did not give him much of a chance, Deep fought against all odds to spring back in life. Catch it on Zee5.
‘Bose Dead/Alive’: He brokered deals with Hitler, raised an army of Indian prisoners of war, had spies trailing every movement, years after his "death" in a plane crash. Bose was an enigma who has irked, terrified, and enchanted people for decades. Watch the story that wasn't supposed to be told on AltBalaji.
Many of these web series show a side that has never been shown before, whether it be a fight for independence, a fight against terrorism, or the consequences of an act of violence. And that is the beauty of these web series. They add many layers and give context to things which ultimately makes viewers think and analyse things themselves too.