Netflix India 2025 Half Yearly Report: 10 Titles That Captured the Chaos and Disappointment of the Year So Far

The undisputed highlight of Netflix India’s first half, Black Warrant arrived with the promise of grit and delivered exactly that. This taut, slow burn crime thriller hooked audiences with its well crafted plot, sharply written characters, and realistic depiction of the prison industrial complex. It was a rare instance of the platform getting everything right from casting to atmosphere to pacing. Among an otherwise average slate, Black Warrant stood tall, showing that Netflix still has the potential to tell hard hitting Indian stories when it commits.

The second outing of Rana Naidu had big shoes to fill after its bold and buzzworthy first season. While it maintained the visual flair and familial tension that fans loved, it lacked the emotional layering and narrative consistency that made Season 1 stand out. Despite its slick presentation and powerful cast, it felt more like an extended soap opera than a gripping family crime saga. Still, it fared better than most and earned a place among Netflix’s few bright spots this year.

This one was expected to be a regional success story but turned out to be one of the year’s biggest creative missteps. Khakee: The Bengal Chapter had potential, backed by a compelling setting and a strong police procedural premise, but the execution lacked grit and realism.

Billed as a political drama with grandeur, The Royals turned out to be a flat and predictable series with weak storytelling. What should have been a game of thrones set in Indian corridors of power ended up feeling like a drawn out soap with one dimensional characters and exaggerated drama.

Dabba Cartel sat right on the fence. It wasn’t unwatchable, but it wasn’t memorable either. The premise had promise an all women crime syndicate operating through Mumbai’s dabbawalas but the execution lacked punch. While the show had moments of tension and drama, it was bogged down by uneven pacing and underwhelming character arcs.

This was the only Netflix original film in the first half of the year that didn’t completely crash and burn. Dhoom Dhaam had a breezy tone and some comedic charm, but it lacked depth. The storyline felt stretched and the humor repetitive. Still, in a year where every other original film missed the mark entirely, Dhoom Dhaam managed to come across as tolerable, even if forgettable.

Among the lowest points of Netflix India’s original content this year, Nadaaniyan was a painful reminder of how comedy can go wrong when it relies on clichés instead of cleverness. The film was riddled with awkward humor, cardboard characters, and a storyline that struggled to sustain even 90 minutes. Despite its promising trailer, the film collapsed under the weight of its own immaturity.

TEST had the most potential of the original films in terms of premise. It set up an intense psychological drama centered around competition, ambition, and breakdowns. But none of it materialized meaningfully. The execution was confused, characters lacked internal logic, and the screenplay meandered between subplots that diluted the film’s impact.

Despite its slick title and promise of a big budget action ride, this film failed to generate any excitement. From lazy plotting to uninspired action sequences, Jewel Thief was an unambitious effort that simply went through the motions. A heist film that lacked thrill, suspense, or emotional payoff, it was a flat and forgettable experience with no real highlights.

Pushpa 2: The Reloaded was a roaring success on the platform, drawing in huge viewership and giving the year its most watched moment so far. With its mass appeal, swagger, and catchy one liners, it gave Netflix a massive push at a time when its originals were sinking. It was the kind of cultural moment the platform needed, even if it came from outside.

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