The year 2025 has proven to be a landmark period for digital entertainment in India, with JioHotstar releasing a compelling slate of original web series. From gripping crime thrillers and high-stakes espionage dramas to heartfelt comedies and hard-hitting exposes, the platform has something for every viewer. We have curated a list of the top 10 must-watch shows that have defined the streaming landscape this year.
Crime and Mystery Take Center Stage
Leading the pack is the much-talked-about Mrs Deshpande, a crime thriller that marks a powerful return for Madhuri Dixit. She portrays Seema Deshpande, a notorious serial killer serving a 25-year sentence in solitary confinement. The plot thickens when a new wave of murders perfectly copies her unique style, forcing the police to seek her help. Dixit's character agrees, but only on one condition: her estranged son, Inspector Tejas Phadke (Siddharth Chandekar), must work with her on the case.
Another standout in the mystery genre is Search: The Naina Murder Case. This investigative series stars Konkona Sen Sharma as ACP Sanyukta Das, who is tasked with solving the murder of Naina Marathe, a university student found dead in a car submerged in a Navi Mumbai lake. The tension escalates as she is paired with her replacement, Jai Kanwal (Surya Sharma), for a six-day race against time. The season concludes with a major cliffhanger, leaving audiences eager for more.
The Hindi crime-drama Kanneda, directed by Chandan Arora, spans eight episodes. It follows Nimma Chahal (Parmish Verma), who flees India after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and rebuilds his life in Vancouver through rugby and music. Battling racism and loneliness, he is tragically pulled into the world of gang culture, eventually working for crime lord Randhava.
Espionage, Adventure, and Legal Dramas
Fans of spy thrillers have two excellent options. Special OPS: Season 2 sees Kay Kay Menon return as the formidable R&AW officer Himmat Singh. This season delves into cyber-terrorism, with India's top AI expert, Dr Piyush Bhargav, being kidnapped during a tech summit. Himmat Singh uncovers a plot by the elusive 'The Collector' to launch a massive digital attack on India's crucial UPI network.
Inspired by true events, Salakaar is another espionage thriller starring Naveen Kasturia. The narrative oscillates between 1978 and 2025. In the past, young R&AW agent Adhir Dayal infiltrates Islamabad to sabotage Pakistan's nuclear project at Kahuta. In the present day, a new and dangerous threat emerges, linking the two timelines.
On the legal front, Criminal Justice: Season 4 brings back Pankaj Tripathi as the shrewd lawyer Madhav Mishra. The new case involves Dr Raj Nagpal, a celebrated surgeon found holding the body of his girlfriend, Roshni, making him the prime suspect. The twist comes when his estranged wife, Anju, hires Madhav Mishra for his defense.
The Trial: Season 2 continues the journey of Noyonika (Kajol), who evolves into a formidable lawyer while her personal life crumbles. She files for divorce from her husband, Rajiv (Jisshu Sengupta), who in turn pressures her to support his political comeback, creating a complex web of professional and personal conflict.
Regional Gems and Light-Hearted Fare
JioHotstar also delivered powerful content in regional languages. The Malayalam medical thriller Pharma stars Nivin Pauly as KP Vinod, a medical representative whose career skyrockets after he successfully promotes a new drug called KydoXin. His success turns to horror when he uncovers the medicine's dangerous side effects and a massive cover-up orchestrated by powerful pharmaceutical executives.
For those seeking adventure, The Secrets of the Shiledars is a six-episode Hindi mystery-adventure series directed by Aditya Sarpotdar. It features Rajeev Khandelwal as Dr Ravi Naik, a history-loving YouTuber who discovers he is the last descendant of an ancient secret order known as the Shiledars, sworn to protect a hidden treasure belonging to Shivaji Maharaj.
Rounding off the list is the Telugu romantic comedy Rambo in Love. This series follows Rambo (Abhinav Manikanta), a young entrepreneur whose startup dreams and personal life collapse after a painful breakup. Just as he secures a lifeline in the form of a foreign investor, he faces a new crisis: his ex-girlfriend, Sukanya (Payal Chengappa), is assigned to audit his firm.
This diverse lineup from JioHotstar in 2025 showcases the depth and range of Indian storytelling, offering high-quality narratives that have captivated audiences nationwide and set a new benchmark for OTT content.
