Helmed by Homi Adajania, Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo is getting rave reviews and social media buzz for its fictional Rann Pradesh and its drug empire run by four tough-as-nails women. Featuring Dimple Kapadia, Isha Talwar, Angira Dhar, and Radhika Madan in the lead roles, the crime show is leading the path for women-centred Hindi content on OTT platforms.
Dimple Kapadia plays Rani Baa in Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo. Raped and left to die in the desert, Rani builds the cartel under the name, Raani Cooperative, with her daughters-in-law Bijlie and Kajal, and daughter Shanta. Kapadia bosses over every frame and her accent brings to mind the fine grain of desert sand of Rajasthan and is unmissable. Her performance seems to have come from deep within and leaves doubt if someone else could have pulled it off the way she nailed it.
Rani Baa’s two NRI sons Harish and Kapil have no clue what is about to unfold when they land in Rann Pradesh for Janmashtami celebrations. Things get intense when Rani Baa announces her decision to name one of the six (including the sons) as her heir. With the meta-theme laid out, the background has many side stories blossoming. Bijlie has an affair with DJ Naina and Shanta’s relationship with the ‘brother from another mother’ Dhiman. Amid all the simulated sex and heavy breathing, drama, and two villains, Monk and Dil Samson, plotting against the cartel, Rani Baa shines through.
If you have already watched Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo and loved it, here are other Indian crime shows that you should binge-watch.
Aarya on Disney+Hotstar
Featuring Sushmita Sen, Aarya marks the OTT debut of the ex-Miss Universe. Co-created by Ram Madhvani and Sandeep Modi, the plot revolves around Aarya whose husband Tej is murdered. Her life turns upside down as she discovers dark secrets that almost destroy her family.
To protect her loved ones, Aarya joins a mafia gang, yes, what else, to avenge her husband’s murder. With phenomenal performances, the show has been nominated for International Emmy Awards for Best Drama Series.
Paatal Lok on Amazon Prime
Led by Jaideep Ahlawat, this crime thriller will leave you sick to your stomach as each character is on a hunt and out for blood. Ahlawat plays cynical cop Hathi Ram Chaudhary who lands a high-profile case of an assassination gone wrong by sheer accident. It also stars Abhishek Banerjee, Swastika Mukherjee, Neeraj Kabi in titular roles.
Mirzapur on Amazon Prime
If you haven’t heard about this series, you probably were on some inter-planetary vacation. Featuring Pankaj Tripathi, Ali Fazal, Vikrant Massey, Divyendu Sharma, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rasika Dugal, and Kulbhushan Kharbanda, this crime show will keep you hooked to the end. Led by Akhandanand Tripathi aka Kaleen Bhaiya, Mirzapur is about a gun cartel run by him. His son Munna dreams of the day he will be named the heir. However, things go haywire when a shootout at a wedding kills Guddu and Bablu, the sons of lawyer Ramakant Pandit. Then it’s all murder and wile.
Jamtara: Sab Ka Number Aayega on Netflix
Featuring Amit Sial, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Aksha Pardasany and Sparsh Shrivastav among others, Jamtara is a gripping crime-thriller that showcases the biggest scams run from the most popular town for internet and mobile phone scams. The story is led by two young men Sunny and Rocky who run a phishing scam in Jamtara, the town which is almost in neighbouring West Bengal. Soon a corrupt politician and a policeman gets involved with them which changes the game forever.
Ranbaaz on Zee5
Starring Saqib Saleem, Aahana Kumra, Ravi Kishan, Tigmanshu Dhulia, and Ranvir Shorey, Ranbaaz is based on a true story depicting the story of an infamous gangster of Gorakhpur. A 25-year-old boy turns into the deadliest gangster and who would not enjoy it?
Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22
Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.
Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.
According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.
Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.
Career across television, OTT and films
Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.
The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.
Last social media post draws attention
Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.
Ram Charan’s Peddi opens to mixed reviews despite strong performances and music
Peddi has received mixed reviews, with Ram Charan’s performance and AR Rahman’s music earning praise while criticism has focused on the film’s screenplay and writing.
Ram Charan’s much-awaited Telugu sports drama Peddi hit theatres on June 4 and has generated significant discussion among critics and audiences. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film marks Charan’s return to the big screen in a rural sports-based story that combines action, emotion and village politics.
Early reviews have highlighted Ram Charan’s committed performance as one of the film’s strongest assets. Critics have particularly appreciated his transformation and screen presence, with many describing the role as one that allows the actor to showcase both emotional depth and mass appeal.
Another aspect receiving widespread praise is the music and background score composed by A. R. Rahman. Several reviewers and audience members have pointed to the soundtrack and score as key elements that elevate important moments throughout the film.
However, reviews have been more divided on the film’s writing. Critics have argued that while the film contains emotionally effective sequences and well-mounted sports moments, the screenplay often follows familiar genre conventions and lacks the consistency needed to fully realise its ambitions.
The film also stars Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu and Boman Irani in important roles. Audience reactions on social media have generally described the film as an entertaining watch despite its shortcomings, with praise directed at the performances and technical departments.
Despite the mixed critical response, Peddi has opened strongly at the box office, supported by robust advance bookings and enthusiastic fan celebrations across Telugu-speaking regions.
Dhurandhar raw and uncut version set for digital premiere on two major streaming platforms
In a major surprise for action film fans, the raw and uncut version of Dhurandhar is launching tomorrow across both Netflix India and JioHotstar with uncensored footage and multiple audio tracks.
Indian cinema enthusiasts are in for an unexpected treat as the highly anticipated unfiltered version of the blockbuster film Dhurandhar is officially heading to digital platforms. In a surprising double-platform strategy, the raw and uncut cut of the action-packed movie is scheduled to begin streaming on both Netflix India and JioHotstar.
The sudden announcement from the streaming platforms has sparked significant buzz across social media. While much of the recent digital speculation has centered around the streaming schedule for the sequel, media updates have confirmed that this specific raw release applies to the franchise’s first installment. Starting tomorrow, viewers in India will be able to watch the unfiltered version of the movie in multiple regional languages, including Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil, complete with intense gore sequences and raw dialogues that were previously trimmed.
Dual-platform digital release brings uncensored action
The announcement has cleared up initial confusion among fans who were anticipating updates regarding the franchise. While international audiences have seen varied streaming distributions for the franchise, viewers within India will uniquely get access to the first film’s “undekha” (unseen) cut simultaneously on two separate streaming applications.
The standard digital premiere for the second installment, Dhurandhar 2, remains locked for June 4, 2026, on JioHotstar and will mirror the standard censored cut that was showcased during its theatrical run. However, for fans seeking an uncompromising, high-octane cinematic experience, the original film’s extended, raw edition arrives online tomorrow on both competing streaming services.
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