The year 2025 has proven to be a powerhouse year for ZEE5, with the platform releasing a diverse slate of original content. From hard-hitting crime dramas based on real events to lighthearted romantic comedies and spine-chilling horror, there's something for every viewer. We have curated a list of the top 10 shows that have defined the platform's offerings this year, showcasing the best in storytelling and performance across multiple Indian languages.
Gripping Crime and Investigative Thrillers
Leading the pack is the Hindi crime thriller Crime Beat. Inspired by real headlines, it stars Saqib Saleem, Rahul Bhat, and Saba Azad. The story is set in Delhi in the early 2010s and follows small-town reporter Abhishek Sinha, who is desperate for a career-saving scoop. His relentless pursuit of fugitive gangster Binny Chaudhary unexpectedly uncovers a massive corruption scandal linked to the Commonwealth Games.
Another standout is the mystery thriller Chhal Kapat: The Deception, featuring Shriya Pilgaonkar, Kamya Ahlawat, and Yahhve Sharma. The plot unfolds at a destination wedding in a remote Madhya Pradesh village, where influencer Shalu is found dead in a pond. SP Devika suspects foul play and interrogates nine guests, unravelling a web of secrets, betrayals, and a hidden pregnancy that shatters friendships.
The tribal crime drama Janaawar: The Beast Within takes viewers deep into the forests of Chhattisgarh. With Bhuvan Arora, Bhagwan Tiwari, and Atul Kale in key roles, the series follows Hemant Kumar. He juggles a gold theft case and a missing person investigation while awaiting the birth of his child. His probe exposes deep-seated caste tensions, corruption, and a series of interconnected murders.
From the East comes the Bengali noir Bibhishon, starring Amit Saha, Soham Majumdar, and Debchandrima Singha Roy. Detective Sub-Inspector Bidhan Sen grapples with a missing person case in rural Bengal, which begins with a petty theft and leads to the discovery of a headless body. Under intense pressure from his superiors, he must identify the killer.
The Tamil crime thriller Regai presents a complex investigation led by Bala Hasan, Pavithra Janani, and Vinodhini Vaidyanathan. The case opens when SI Vetri and Constable Sandhiya find human hands concealed in a melting ice cart. Forensic reports shockingly reveal the victims to be four young men who were previously declared dead in an alleged accident.
Diverse Genres: Romance, Sci-Fi, and Family Drama
Switching gears, ZEE5 also delivered the perfect Valentine's Day treat with the romantic comedy Pyaar Testing. The show features Abhishek Nigam, Niyati Fatnani, and Karan Veer Mehra. Sid and Tanu, a young couple in love, want to marry but fear divorce. They decide to test their compatibility through a secret two-month live-in arrangement, a plan that quickly descends into delightful chaos.
Blending romance with science fiction is the Tamil feel-good fantasy Heartiley Battery. Padine Kumar, Guru Lakshman, and Anith Yashpaul lead this unique story. Sofia, a sharp and scientifically-minded woman who reduces love to biology and chemistry, invents a "Love Meter" to quantify romantic feelings. Her rigid beliefs face their ultimate test when she meets Sid.
For those who enjoy laughs with their scares, the Malayalam Inspection Bungalow offers a horror-comedy experience. Starring Azees Nedumangad, Senthil Krishna, and Anand Manmadhan, the series is set in a rumoured-to-be-haunted old colonial bungalow in remote Kerala. A landslide traps a group of government officials and a young couple inside for a night filled with supernatural frights and humour.
Relatable Stories of Family and Everyday Life
The Hindi family drama Thode Door Thode Paas presents an emotionally charged and relatable narrative. With a stellar cast including Pankaj Kapur, Mona Singh, and Kunaal Roy Kapur, it depicts the Mehta family, who live under one roof but are emotionally distant, each glued to their digital devices. The dynamic changes when retired naval officer Ashwin Mehta returns home and challenges the family to a six-month ‘digital fast’.
Rounding off the list is Bakaiti, a series featuring renowned Bollywood talents Rajesh Tailang, Sheeba Chaddha, and Keshav Sadhna. This show follows the Mishra family from Ghaziabad, where humour, exaggeration, and daily chaos are the norm. Their world turns upside down when Bittu loses his job and decides to hide this fact from his strict father, setting off a chain of comedic and tense events.
The 2025 lineup from ZEE5 solidifies its position as a major content creator, successfully catering to a pan-Indian audience with high-quality, genre-spanning original programming. These ten series represent the pinnacle of its creative output this year, offering compelling reasons for subscribers to keep coming back for more.
