The Pandemic That Reshaped Indian Entertainment
The year 2020 began like any other for Indian cinema, but everything changed in March when the COVID-19 pandemic struck with devastating force. Theaters across India and worldwide were forced to shut down, creating an unprecedented situation for the entertainment industry. This catastrophic event, which resulted in millions of deaths worldwide and prolonged lockdowns, fundamentally altered how Indians consumed entertainment.
Pre-Pandemic Cinema: A Mixed Bag
Before the March 2020 lockdown, Hindi cinema's first quarter presented a varied landscape. Om Raut's Tanhaji, starring Ajay Devgn as the valiant Maratha leader and Saif Ali Khan as the antagonist, continued Bollywood's trend of historical narratives. The film portrayed Mughal invaders as villains while celebrating Maratha heritage.
In a significant step for LGBTQ+ representation, Hitesh Kewaliya's Shubh Mangal Zyada Savdhaan featured Ayushmann Khurrana and Jitendra Kumar as a gay couple navigating family acceptance. The film broke new ground by including a same-sex kiss and became a commercial success.
Women-centric narratives also found their footing with Meghna Gulzar's Chapaak, where Deepika Padukone played an acid-attack survivor, and Anubhav Sinha's Thappad, featuring Taapsee Pannu as a woman refusing to normalize domestic violence. Both films combined strong feminist messages with commercial viability.
The last theatrical release before the shutdown was Homi Adjania's Angrezi Medium, starring the legendary Irrfan as a supportive father. Tragically, this became Irrfan's final film before his passing a month later, leaving a void in Indian cinema.
The OTT Revolution Takes Center Stage
With theaters closed indefinitely, several films transitioned to OTT platforms, though few made a significant impact. Exceptions included Anvita Dutt's Bulbbul, Honey Trehan's Raat Akeli Hai (both by debutant directors), and Alankrita Srivastava's Dolly, Kitty Aur Woh Chamaktey Sitare, which explored female desire with refreshing honesty.
Among the year's standout non-mainstream films were Rohena Gera's Sir, featuring Tillotama Shome and Vivek Gomber in a nuanced story about a domestic worker and her employer, and Prateek Vats' Eeb Allay Ooo, with Shardul Bharadwaj delivering a remarkable performance as a money-catcher in Delhi.
OTT Shows Dominate the Narrative
While films struggled, 2020 emerged as a spectacular year for original web series. Pataal Lok, directed by Avinash Arun and Prosit Roy with writing by Sudip Sharma, captivated audiences with its gritty storytelling. The confrontation between Jaideep Ahlawat and Abhishek Banerjee's characters became one of the year's most memorable moments.
TVF's Panchayat created waves by making the fictional village of Phulera a household name. Featuring Jitendra Kumar, Raghubir Yadav, Neena Gupta and an ensemble cast, the show introduced urban viewers to rural India's charm and complexities.
Hansal Mehta's Scam 1992 brought the Harshad Mehta story to life with Pratik Gandhi's stellar performance launching him into stardom. The series meticulously recreated the era when an ambitious stockbroker shook the Bombay stock market.
Ram Madhwani's Aarya marked Sushmita Sen's powerful comeback as a homemaker transformed into a determined drug runner, seamlessly balancing maternal duties with dangerous operations.
Anand Tiwari's Bandish Bandits explored the clash between musical tradition and modernity, featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Sheeba Chadda, Ritwik Bhowmik, and Shreya Chaudhary in a compelling narrative about gharanas and evolution.
Special mentions include Neeraj Pandey's Special Ops starring Kay Kay Menon and the second season of Mirzapur, which continued to follow its uniquely named characters Guddu, Golu, Munna, Sweety, and Bablu, who had developed their own dedicated fan following.
The Lasting Impact on Indian Entertainment
The pandemic year of 2020 fundamentally changed how Indians consume entertainment. While theaters remained closed, OTT platforms experienced unprecedented growth, delivering quality content that resonated with homebound audiences. Shows like Panchayat and Pataal Lok not only provided entertainment but also set new standards for Indian digital content, proving that compelling storytelling could thrive outside traditional cinema halls.
This period marked a significant shift in the entertainment industry's dynamics, with OTT platforms emerging as serious competitors to conventional cinema. The success of these shows during the pandemic years paved the way for a new era in Indian entertainment, where digital and theatrical releases would coexist and compete for audience attention.
