It won’t be wrong to call directors the backbone of web shows. Especially in a time when the OTT is in much demand. Telling unique stories through their vision, directors are indeed the captain of the ship! Now, as we are ending the year on a positive note, let’s walk down memory lane to meet the finest directors of web shows who grabbed the limelight with their creativity and talent. 

Kabir Khan made his web debut with The Forgotten Army. Known for directing taut thrillers with a dash of drama and emotions, Kabir dug out history in the much-acclaimed patriotic show. Little did Prosit Roy and Avinash Arun imagine that they were directing one of the finest web shows, Paatal Lok this year. Layered characters and story blended well with tight direction. Considering Avinash is a cinematographer too, Paatal Lok was visually striking despite no gloss and glamour. 

L: Prosit Roy | M: Avinash Arun | R: Kabir Khan

As the audience was yet to move over Paatal Lok, Hansal Mehta gave us another mind-blowing series titled Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. Directing newcomer Pratik Gandhi, Hansal made the show easy to understand without using many jargons. His vision was indeed loved by the critics and audience alike. Mind-blowing and exceptionally well-made, Arshad Warsi and Barun Sobti’s Asur is classified as one of the best shows released in India. Director Oni Sen handled the premise beautifully and put forth his vision of a perfect thriller that sent chills down the spine.

L: Hansal Mehta | R: Oni Sen

Moving a level up when it comes to crime thrillers, Ram Madhvani helmed Sushmita Sen’s Aarya while Gurmmeet Singh and Mihir Desai took us into the violent world of Mirzapur. Ram in Aarya blended mythology with crime, love and family relationships. Thankfully, he didn’t compromise on the diverse flavours required to make a slow burn show an engaging one. He is a director to look out for!

Ram Madhvani

On the other hand, Gurmmeet and Mihir kept the audience glued to their screens with a twisted tale in Mirzapur 2. In the second season, there were many more character additions but the directors made sure all got equal attention, meaty roles that were well presented. 

Gurmmeet Singh and Mihir Desai 

Neeraj Pandey also made his web debut as the director of Special OPS. Like his Bollywood films, Neeraj helmed a tightly-woven series about intelligence officers and their fight with dreaded terrorists. We would love to see more of Neeraj on the OTT next year! National-award winning director Soumendra Padhi helmed Jamtara for Netflix. A perfect surprise package, Soumendra packed various real-life issues in an engaging series.  

L: Neeraj Pandey | R: Soumendra Padhi

Deepak Kumar Mishra directed this year’s much-loved light-hearted entertainer Panchayat. Taking inspiration from simple and routine issues, Mishra directed the show so effortlessly that he blurred the line between reel and real. He proved to be a promising director. Going glam and bold, Nupur Asthana presented a tale of four strong women in Four More Shots Please 2. Empowering women by stating flaws are beautiful, Nupur’s direction was loved by all. Debbie Rao’s Pushpavalli 2 deserves special mention for standing out. A different series amid crime-thrillers, bloodshed and gun-blazing, Debbie kept her protagonist real and vulnerable.

L: Deepak Kumar Mishra | R: Nupur Asthana