Unlike movies that cram too much into a few hours, anthology movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other OTT platforms feature distinct short stories with clear beginnings and endings. Each story has a unified theme or character, offering viewers a unique cinematic journey. Sometimes, the director’s vision and thematic coherence make these films unforgettable.
Anthology shows and movies have evolved from early TV experiments into a captivating genre, blending suspense, mystery, and the essence of life. TV classics like Aahat and Rishtey pioneered this format, crafting some of the most impressive narratives. The film industry later embraced it with titles like Bombay Talkies and Darna Mana Hai, followed by OTT hits like Lust Stories and Unpaused. Among the various anthology shows and movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, we’ve handpicked Hindi anthology movies on Netflix and other platforms that skillfully blur reality and fiction, unveil suspenseful revelations, and explore various facets of love.
1. Lantrani – ZEE5
This one is a delightful yet thought-provoking anthology, skillfully navigating the complexities and dysfunctions of rural life with satirical precision. Directed by acclaimed National Award-winning filmmakers, the series addresses diverse issues within India’s challenging rural landscapes. What sets Lantrani apart is its ability to deliver meaningful messages without veering into preachiness. With a stellar cast including Johnny Lever, Jitendra Kumar, Jisshu Sengupta, Nimisha Sajayan, and Sanjay Mahanand, the anthology paints a compelling picture of the harsh realities of our society, offering both emotional depth and entertainment.
2. Yuva – Netflix
One of Mani Ratnam’s must-watch titles, Yuva, draws inspiration from Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Amores Perros. It intricately weaves together three compelling narratives linked by a pivotal event. The film boasts an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Rani Mukherjee, Abhishek Bachchan, and Vivek Oberoi, each delivering powerful, deeply resonating performances. A.R. Rahman’s musical genius enriches the narrative, making Yuva a favourite and an essential watch for cinephiles who like to witness riveting storytelling.
3. Unpaused – Amazon Prime Video
Unpaused is a compelling anthology that delves into themes of resilience, second chances, and finding hope amidst adversity. Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film explores the lives of individuals profoundly impacted by the crisis. Bringing together the creative visions of five exceptional directors—Avinash Arun, Nitya Mehra, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Nikkhil Advani, and Raj & DK—Unpaused features a stellar cast including Gulshan Devaiah, Saiyami Kher, Komal Chhabria, Richa Chadha, Ishwak Singh, Sumeet Vyas, Lillete Dubey, Rinku Rajguru, Abhishek Banerjee, Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, Palash Prajapati, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Shardul Bhardwaj. Each story offers a glimpse into the human spirit’s ability to adapt and thrive in unprecedented circ*mstances.
4. Ajeeb Dastaan – Netflix
Ajeeb Daastaans is an anthology that unravels four distinct tales, each highlighting human relationships’ intricate and often messy facets. Helmed by directors Shashank Khaitan, Raj Mehta, Neeraj Ghaywan, and Kayoze Irani, this collection of stories features a stellar ensemble cast including Fatima Sana Shaikh, Jaideep Ahlawat, Armaan Ralhan, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Abhishek Banerjee, Inayat Verma, Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Shefali Shah, Manav Kaul, and Tota Roy Chowdhury. Each narrative delves into the complexities and contradictions of love, desire, and societal norms, offering a multifaceted exploration of the human experience. This one certainly makes for one of the must-watch Hindi anthology movies on Netflix.
5. Modern Love Mumbai – Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video’s Modern Love stands out for its heartfelt storytelling. Modern Love Mumbai continues this tradition with a stellar cast, including Fatima Sana Shaikh, Anurag Kashyap, Chitrangda Singh, Pratik Gandhi, Ranveer Brar, Tanuja, Sarika, and Arshad Warsi. This series intricately weaves together six heartfelt tales exploring love’s diverse dimensions. Modern Love Mumbai explores layers of human emotions with powerful narratives, from deep parental bonds to unexpected connections and from self-discovery to the complexities of romantic relationships.
6. Darna Mana Hai – Disney+ Hotstar
If you’re in the mood for a spine-chilling experience, Darna Mana Hai might be just what you need. This film presents six eerie tales of horror. Directed by Prawaal Raman, it features a star-studded cast including Saif Ali Khan, Nana Patekar, Vivek Oberoi, Shilpa Shetty, and Sohail Khan. The story unfolds as seven friends, stranded in the dead of night due to a car breakdown, seek refuge and share ghostly stories to pass the time until sunrise.
7. Ankahi Kahaniya – Netflix
Ankahi Kahaniya stands out as a captivating anthology film on Netflix, showcasing the creative vision of directors Abhishek Chaubey, Saket Chaudhary, and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. Set against the vibrant tapestry of Mumbai, the film intricately weaves together three unconventional love stories. Each narrative unfolds with poignant depth, exploring themes of love, longing, and the complexities of human connection. The ensemble cast, including Abhishek Banerjee, Zoya Hussain, and Kunal Kapoor, brings these heartfelt stories to life with remarkable performances, making Ankahi Kahaniya a compelling watch for fans of intimate storytelling.
8. I Am – Disney+ Hotstar
Helmed by Onir and featuring an ensemble cast including Juhi Chawla, Rahul Bose, Radhika Apte, and Nandita Das, I Am brings four transformative stories from India. Each narrative is rooted in true events, delving into profound issues such as child abuse, LGBTQ+ rights, the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, and the complexities of sperm donation. The film offers a raw and unflinching look at these subjects, bringing to light the resilience and struggles of individuals navigating these life-altering experiences.
9. Lust Stories – Netflix
Lust Stories captivated audiences as a groundbreaking Netflix original featuring an ensemble cast that includes Bhumi Pednekar, Radhika Apte, Vicky Kaushal, Kiara Advani, and Manisha Koirala. Directed by the talented quartet of Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee, and Karan Johar, this anthology movie on Netflix showcases four distinct narratives. Each story offers a profound exploration of the lives, desires, and sexualities of four diverse women, presenting a candid and nuanced portrayal of modern relationships.
10. LSD: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha – Disney+ Hotstar and Amazon Prime Video
Under Dibakar Banerjee’s deft direction, the lens delves deep into the lives of three couples, each grappling with the invasive gaze of contemporary society. From a scandalous MMS leak to the shadows of a casting couch encounter and the chilling aftermath of an honour crime, the camera captures these interconnected lives with unflinching intensity.
11. Bombay Talkies – Netflix
Bombay Talkies, a 2013 release, is a tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema, masterfully directed by Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, and Karan Johar. This anthology movie on Netflix stitches together four compelling narratives, each reflecting the profound impact of movies on individuals across various walks of life. The stories not only celebrate the rich legacy of cinema but also explore its transformative power in shaping dreams, identities, and relationships within the diverse fabric of society.
12. Solo – Amazon Prime Video
Solo is one of those anthologies that demands attention. The movie follows symbolic colour patterns that add to the story’s scripting. Bejoy Nambiar, often overlooked despite his impactful debut with Shaitan and later films like David and Wazir, once again tries to push creative boundaries. To put it simply, Solo stands out for its ambitious scope. Inspired by Lord Shiva’s avatars—Shekhar, Trilok, Shiva, and Rudra—the anthology delves into themes of love, heartbreak, and human frailty through the elemental forces of water, wind, fire, and earth. As interesting as it sounds, the movie stands out in parts.
13. Ghost Stories – Netflix
Experience the spine-chilling suspense brought to life by Ghost Stories — a collection of four unsettling and supernatural narratives crafted by Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, and Karan Johar. Among the ensemble cast are Janhvi Kapoor, Sobhita Dhulipala, Sukant Goel, and Vijay Verma, each bringing their characters to life in these eerie tales that defy explanation.
14. Dus Kahaniyaan – Amazon Prime Video
True to its name, the film presents a collection of 10 short stories, each delving into various human experiences and emotions. Featuring a stellar cast including Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arbaaz Khan, Nana Patekar, and Naseeruddin Shah, the anthology explores themes such as desire, religious prejudice, infidelity, and companionship. Each story offers a unique perspective, creating a rich mosaic that captures the complexities of human relationships and emotions.
15. Ray – Netflix
This psychological-thriller Hindi anthology series is a heartfelt tribute to the timeless literary legacy of filmmaker and author Satyajit Ray. Each episode unfolds a distinct adaptation of Ray’s classic short stories, ingeniously reinterpreted for contemporary viewers. Spanning mysteries, suspense, and profound reflections on human behaviour, the series illuminates Ray’s unparalleled storytelling brilliance and profound understanding of life’s complexities. With a stellar cast, immersive cinematography, and narrative depth, the series invites audiences to explore the cinematic universe of India’s revered auteur.
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