There’s something deeply satisfying about stories that end before you expect them to. In a world where web series stretch across seasons and subplots, anthologies do the opposite — they get straight to the point and leave you thinking. Indian creators have started tapping into this format with real creative flair. These stories may be short, but the emotions hit hard. They cover everything from quiet heartbreak to complicated love, pandemic loneliness to personal rebellion — and they do it all without wasting a second. Here are 7 Indian anthology series that prove storytelling doesn’t need to be long to be powerful.
1. Modern Love Mumbai
This isn’t just a desi take on the famous Modern Love column — it’s a heartfelt tribute to the city and the people trying to love (and live) in it. The stories cover everything from self-acceptance to complicated relationships, and each one leaves behind a strange warmth. What really stands out is how these tales reflect real emotional struggles — no Bollywood gloss, just raw and relatable. Whether it’s an elderly man finding love again or a young woman confronting her identity, each episode feels like a story someone you know could have lived. Platform: Amazon Prime Video
2. Ray
Ray isn’t your typical homage. It’s dark, intelligent, and at times downright unsettling. Inspired by the legendary Satyajit Ray’s short stories, the series explores twisted characters and morally complex situations. Each episode quietly unravels a person’s weakness — ego, obsession, revenge — until their world collapses under the weight of their own choices. It’s not just about what happens, but how it changes the people at the centre of the storm. Platform: Netflix
3. Ajeeb Daastaans
These stories start off ordinary — a dinner table, a marriage, a work conversation. But then, they go somewhere unexpected. The “ajeeb” (strange) part creeps in, revealing the secrets we all hide under our everyday routines. The series tackles themes like caste, class, forbidden love, and personal betrayal. It never gives you neat answers, and that’s its strength. Each story leaves you slightly uncomfortable — and very aware. Platform: Netflix
4. Unpaused
Set during the thick of the COVID lockdown, Unpaused focuses on small human moments — a lonely man in quarantine, a woman navigating new beginnings, a migrant worker stranded in the city. Rather than diving into pandemic stats and chaos, it tells the quieter stories we were too distracted to notice. The kind that reminds us we weren’t alone in our fear, our hope, or our need for connection. Platform: Amazon Prime Video
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5. Lust Stories
If there’s one series that forced Indian viewers to have uncomfortable but important conversations, it’s this one. Lust Stories doesn’t tiptoe around the topic of desire — it walks right in and asks, “Why are we so afraid of talking about this?” Told from a woman’s point of view, the stories explore desire, dissatisfaction, and emotional needs that are usually brushed aside. It’s not provocative just for the sake of it — it’s deeply honest and refreshingly blunt. Platform: Netflix
6. Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam
This Pakistani series flips the script on every damsel-in-distress trope we’ve grown up with. Each woman in these stories has been wronged — and each one takes matters into her own hands. With a noir aesthetic and a poetic storytelling style, the show explores what happens when women stop playing nice. It’s bold, stylish, and quietly revolutionary in how it centres female rage without apology. Platform: ZEE5
7. Feels Like Ishq
Sometimes, a little sweetness is exactly what you need. Feels Like Ishq is about young love in all its awkward, impulsive glory. It’s a soft, warm show that reminds you how exciting (and messy) falling for someone can be. From protests to weddings to chance meetings, each episode is packed with small, honest moments that feel instantly familiar. It’s simple, but never shallow — a sweet reminder that even small feelings can have big meaning. Platform: Netflix
Why Anthologies Matter
Anthology series aren’t just bite-sized entertainment — they’re experiments. They allow creators to push boundaries without worrying about commercial formulas. For viewers, they’re a refreshing change of pace: intense, emotional, and beautifully unpredictable. So the next time you’re not in the mood to commit to a full series, try one of these. One episode is all it takes to get hooked — and maybe even a little changed.
Writer-Subham Choudhary