Exciting Netflix releases: Top upcoming movies and web series to watch out for

Thanks to Netflix, your binge-watching sessions are about to get a whole lot better! The popular streaming platform unveiled its 2024 content slate on Tuesday at the ‘Next on Netflix 2024 Preview’, a talent-packed gala in Mumbai. It featured an exciting line-up of eight films and 14 web series—crafted by our country’s finest creators—which are some of the best original stories, from across the country, and in multiple languages and genres.

Here’s a look at the rundown of the 2024 slate.

Web series

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

Filmmaker extraordinaire, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is all set to make his streaming debut in 2024 with the highly-anticipated Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Reflecting Bhansali's signature storytelling skills, the eight-part series is an epic period drama following the lives of courtesans—who once reigned as queens—in the red-light district of Lahore during the Indian independence movement. The upcoming feature has a star-studded cast including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sanjeeda Sheikh, and Sharmin Segal.

IC814: The Kandahar Hijack

Brace yourselves for impact with Anubhav Sinha's IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, a deft recreation of the longest hijack in Indian history. Centred on the unfortunate 1999 incident, the limited series depicts all that transpired during the seven days inside the aircraft, the war room back home in Delhi, and the Negotiation Station in Kandahar. The series has a fabulous ensemble cast featuring the likes of Vijay Varma, Patralekha, Pankaj Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swami, Dia Mirza, Amrita Puri, Anupam Tripathi, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Kanwaljeet Singh, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sushant Singh, Aditya Srivastava, Rajeev Thakur, and Yashpal Sharma. 

Dabba Cartel ​​​​​

Dabba Cartel is an upcoming series centring five ordinary housewives from Thane who come together to form a drug cartel, under unlikely circumstances. As their secret cartel grows, they must navigate dangerous alliances, the law, and their own inner conflicts—risking everything they hold dear. The show stars Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Shalini Pandey, Nimisha Sajayan, Anjali Anand, Gajraj Rao, Sai Tamhankar, Lillete Dubey, Jisshu Sengupta, and Bhupendra Jadawat.

Mandala Murders ​​​​​​

A gripping crime thriller, Mandala Murders stars Vaani Kapoor and Vaibhav Raj Gupta in the lead roles. In this story, the villain, victims, survivors, and detectives are all intricately connected. Kapoor and Gupta take on the roles of detectives, Rea Thomas and Vikram Singh, who are thrust into a dark world where bone-chilling murders are not just random acts of violence but also part of a sinister plan orchestrated by a century-old secret society. But what's the purpose of this secret society? Watch to find out!

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter

Neeraj Pandey’s Khakee: The Bengal Chapter doubles the excitement with more cops, more criminals, and more action-packed drama than ever before. From the badlands of Bihar to the ganglands of Bengal, the next chapter moves to Kolkata in 2003 when two honest cops go after a dreaded don and his fierce henchmen. 

Films

Amar Singh Chamkila

Imtiaz Ali makes his streaming directorial debut with Amar Singh Chamkila, an untold true story of Amar Singh Chamkila, Punjab’s ‘highest-selling artist’. The movie shows how Chamkila's music took him from the shadows of poverty to the heights of popularity in the '80s, angering many along the way, which ultimately leads to his assassination at the young age of 27. Featuring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, the film promises a heartfelt story and a memorable soundtrack composed by maestro, AR Rahman.

Murder Mubarak

Based on the novel, Club You To Death by Anuja Chauhan, Murder Mubarak takes suspense to a whole new level, with a murder plot at a posh recreational club. Here, everyone is a suspect, each more peculiar than the other. Taking on the roles of suspects are Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Tisca Chopra, and Suhail Nayyar. 

Do Patti

Headlined by two powerhouse actors, Kajol and Kriti Sanon, Do Patti is a saucy drama set against the scenic backdrop of North India's hills. Get set to witness the showdown of the year as two ideologies collide head-on in this thriller. The film brings female power to the fore and promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience with many thrilling turning points. According to the teaser, Kajol plays a police officer, a character that she'll be seen playing for the very first time. we do feel that we're going to see an epic 'good vs. bad' battle as the two characters go up against each other.

Vijay 69

Anupam Kher’s Vijay 69 is a quirky slice-of-life film that will tug at your heart. It centres on a sexagenarian, played by Kher, who takes on a triathlon. The film highlights the purity of emotion that Kher's character feels when he sets out to achieve his impossible dream, thus, making a bid to defy all odds.

Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba

Taapsee Pannu and Vikrant Massey’s twisted tale of love gets a new addition with Sunny Kaushal playing a possible love interest and Jimmy Shergill playing the role of a police officer. Following the events of the previous film, Rani (Pannu) now lives as a paying guest in Agra while her husband Rishu (Massey) lives under the alias Ravi Varma. Amid the city's own struggles—a broken barrage, heavy floods, and an unexpected arrival of crocodiles in the Yamuna River—Rishu and Rani are trying their best to evade the cops. Let’s just say that the romance and thrill is far from over in this gripping saga.

Wild Wild Punjab

Making a sharp turn from thriller to comedy is director Luv Ranjan’s Wild Wild Punjab. The story follows a group of drunk friends who embark on a bold “break-up trip" that leads to hilarious and heartwarming adventures, as they navigate a series of unforeseen situations. The film stars Varun Sharma, Sunny Singh, Manjot Singh, Jassie Gill, Patralekhaa, and Ishita Raj. 

Up-close and real

The Great Indian Kapil Show

Headlining the 2024 unscripted line-up is the much-awaited The Great Indian Kapil Show, where India’s king of comedy, Kapil Sharma reunites with his hilarious gang, bringing unbridled laughter to the viewers. Set in the bustling confines of an airport, the show will introduce prominent celebrity guests every week while Sharma brings his signature wit to the show along with Sunil Grover, Krushna Abhishek, Archana Puran Singh, Kiku Sharda, and others. 

Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous

Netflix offers a sneak peek into the lives of a few very intriguing personalities this year. Yo Yo Honey Singh: Famous will present an exclusive, intimate, and immersive look at the rapper’s rollercoaster life. Hirdesh Singh aka Yo Yo Honey Singh opens up about his personal life in a rare, honest, and revelatory way, showcasing his journey from being a West Delhi Punjabi boy to becoming a global pop sensation.

Don’t worry, your favourite shows are back too

Kota Factory Season 3

Netflix is set to return with several highly-anticipated fan favourites that we just can't seem to get enough of. First up is Kota Factory Season 3. Filled with emotions and drama, the new season shows Jeetu Bhaiya—the students' unwavering mentor and inspiration—on his own poignant journey to discover his calling, while the fate of the students hangs in the air.

Mismatched Season 3

Prajakta Koli and Rohit Saraf are back to win our hearts once again in Mismatched Season 3. After making it through a long-distance relationship, Dimple and Rishi are back together in a brand new city in a whole new dynamic, facing each other in two competing institutes. Will they be able to overcome a new set of challenges to discover their now-forgotten chemistry? Let’s wait and watch. 

Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein

Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein enthralled the audience with its riveting story and intricate characters. In Season 2, the love triangle between the protagonists is not as simple as it seems. From suspense and tragedy to heartache and excitement, the thrilling drama of Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein Season 2 will leave you wanting more!

Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives

Last but certainly not least, the fantastic four of Seema Khan, Maheep Kapoor, Bhavana Pandey, and Neelam Kothari Soni are back with Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives. The new offering shakes things up with three new divas from the swanky capital of Delhi, joining the proceedings. Confronted with lives that could be shinier than theirs, the Bollywood wives are ready for battle. It's the city of excess vs. the city of dreams. It's bling vs. swag. It's Delhi vs. Bollywood. But more importantly, it's Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives. Who will blink first?

Also read: Spoiler Alert: All the things we learned about the 'Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives in Season 2'

Also read: Here's why watching the same TV shows and movies over and over again is so comforting