From Scam 1992 to Bhakaal, 13 Hindi web series based on true events that will take you on a thrilling roller coaster of emotions, leaving you on the edge of your seat.
Real-life stories are thrilling! From heart-wrenching dramas to heart-pumping action, series based on real-life events have become increasingly popular. These gripping series offer a peek into the lives of inspirational leaders, unsung heroes, and real-life crime stories. With the plethora of OTT platforms available, we bring you the best 13 Hindi web series based on true events that will take you on a thrilling roller coaster of emotions, leaving you on the edge of your seat.
1) Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story
This financial drama revolves around the real life of stockbroker Harshad Mehta, set in the ’80s and ’90s. This show takes you through the journey of a stockbroker who rose to unmatched heights before meeting his downfall. The thriller web drama is based on Debashis Basu and Sucheta Dalal’s book ‘The Scam: Who Won, Who Lost, Who Got Away’. It reports the story of one of the biggest financial scams in the Indian stock market.
Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story is streaming on Sony LIV.
A spiritual sequel series to Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, the new entry in Hansal Mehta’s Scam franchise focuses on the 2003 stamp paper counterfeiting scandal. The series is adapted from the Hindi book Reporter ki Diary by journalist and news reporter Sanjay Singh, who broke the story of the scam in 2003. The series tells the story of Abdul Karim Telgi, a counterfeiter who printed fake stamp paper.
Scam 2003: The Telgi Story is streaming on Sony LIV.
2) Delhi Crime
This Netflix crime drama is based on the real incident of the Nirbhaya gang-rape case from 2012 that shocked the nation. This web series features Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal and Adil Hussain in the lead roles. The series sheds light on the aftermath of the 2012 Delhi gang rape. It follows Deputy Commissioner of Police Vartika Chaturvedi (Shefali Shah) as she navigates the complicated case and balances her personal life impacted by the city’s law and order situation. The series fetched Best Drama Series at the 48th Emmy Awards.
Delhi Crime is streaming on Netflix.
3) Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega
Jamtara is actually a district in Jharkhand, India. It is a hub of Internet scams and phishing scams in India. Jamtara is the origin of banks and insurance frauds that people like us encounter on a regular basis. Every year, fake banks and insurance companies agents dupe millions of people in India. Netflix’s crime drama series Jamtara is based on these cases. The show unveils the unbelievable true story of a group of young men operating a phishing organization.
Jamtara is streaming on Netflix.
4) Special OPS
This thriller is based on multiple terror attacks which India has faced in the last decade. Featuring Kay Kay Menon in the lead role, this espionage show, helmed by Neeraj Pandey fascinates audiences and has several thrilling points in its narrative. The solid performance and impeccable screenplay keep you glued to your seats.
Special OPS is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
5) Rangbaaz
Rangbaaz is a crime drama based on the true story of Shri Prakash Shukla (Shiv Prakash Shukla in the series), who was a notorious gangster and the most wanted criminal in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. The series shows his journey from a DDU student to becoming the second most wanted criminal in India.
While the first season was based on the true story of Shri Prakash Shukla, the second and third seasons were based on the life of Anandpal Singh and Mohammad Shahabuddin respectively.
Rangbaaz is streaming on ZEE5.
6) Mumbai Diaries
Mumbai Diaries 26/11 is a thrilling and emotional portrayal of one of India’s darkest chapters. Set during the 2008 Mumbai attacks, it follows the staff of Bombay General Hospital and their labourers during the fateful night of November 26, 2008. It also shows incidents happening at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, and how a journalist tries to report all these incidents.
Mumbai Diaries is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
7) Bhaukaal
MX Original Series Bhaukaal is Inspired by the true events of IPS Officer Navniet Sekera, who took on the difficult task of eradicating organized crime from Uttar Pradesh in the early 2000s. Mohit Raina portrays the lead role of Naveen Sikhera, a tough and fearless cop who is transferred to Muzaffarnagar as SSP. But it’s no easy feat as the city is controlled by two powerful gangs – the Shaukeen gang and the Dedha brothers.
Bhaukaal is streaming on MX Player.
8) Kaafir
The story follows Kainaaz Akhtar, a Pakistani lady who ends up on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LOC) and is imprisoned on suspicion of being a militant. Kainaaz and her daughter are helped by an Indian journalist who aims to bring them justice after giving birth to a child while imprisoned for seven years. It is based on Shehnaz Parveen’s true story.
Kaafir is streaming on Zee5.
10) Avrodh: The Siege Within
Based on the 2016 URI attack and the following surgical strikes by India, this military drama will keep you on the edge of your seat. Starring Amit Sadh, Neeraj Kabi, Darshan Kumaar and Madhurima Tulli, the show is based on a chapter of India’s Most Fearless by Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh.
Avrodh is streaming on Sony LIV.
11) The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye
The show is based on true events about the soldiers in the Indian National Army (INA) led by Subhash Chandra Bose. It revolves around Indian soldiers who marched towards the capital, with the war cry ‘Challo Dilli’, to gain Indian independence from colonial rule. Starring Rajvir Chauhan, Sunny Kaushal and Sharvari Wagh, this web series is set in two different periods – from 1942 to 1945 and when INA was formed in 1996.
The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye is streaming on Prime Video.
12) The Chargesheet: Innocent or Guilty
Inspired by the famous murder case of a seven-time national badminton champion from the 80s, who was shot outside the stadium, this thrilling drama stars Arunoday Singh and Sikandar Kher in the lead roles.
The Chargesheet: Innocent or Guilty is streaming on Zee5.
13) Rocket Boys
The biopic drama highlights the incredible stories of two great nuclear scientists, Dr Vikram Sarabhai and Dr Homi J. Bhabha, who made history while shaping India’s future amidst the post-independence disruption.
The drama starring Jim Sarbh and Ishwak Singh in lead roles centred on the three key decades (the 1940s–1960s) in India’s history and its progress toward becoming a powerful, brave, and independent country.
The Rocket Boys is streaming on Sony LIV.
