Small-town stories on OTT that are worth your time

Small-town stories have been the biggest hit on OTT, whether in the form of movies or series. Right from Panchayat to Kota Factory, these stories have always connected with people on a deeper level. Just as we look at the return of the genre in the digital world, here's exploring a few that are worth visiting...

Small-town stories worth your time

Kaagaz

Imagine you are living and somehow breathing in India as an old man, but are declared dead on paper. The government process takes so long that you might as well be on your deathbed by the time your death certificate is nullified. What can you do in such a situation? Kaagaz is that dark humour you need to explore.

Gullak

Gullak, like the name suggests, is about collecting. This time, though, it isn't about collecting money but making memories. The Mishra family grows up together. From fighting and staying to understanding what the teenage children in small-towns really want, the series touches upon important family topics every Indian household faces. It is all about entertainment, we promise.

Aligarh

While most small-town stories explore the problems, Aligarh stands out since it shows the human side of a gay professor who is living in fear and hiding his true self. The movie set an example being one of the first to explore LGBTQAI+ community's story in a small-town, which is both realistic as well as hard-hitting.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha

One man sets off to change the mindset of his small town by bringing basic hygiene to his home. When his wife refuses open sanitation and bathing in public spaces, this husband is forced to rethink how his family and people in his surroundings have been living. Thus, he makes Toilet and bathroom both out of love and concern for hygiene and privacy for women of his small-town.

Nil Battey Sannata

A single mother struggles to get her daughter to study. Thus, she comes up with a unique idea that would benefit them both. Of course, this does not come without its set of challenges. Can the mother-daughter overcome all challenges and grow up together? Swara Bhasker's Nil Battey Sannaata explores the same.

Bareilly Ki Barfi

Set in the small-town of Bareilly, Bareilly Ki Barfi is about a tomboy Bitti (Kriti Sanon) who sets off on a journey to meet her favourite author. He, on the other hand, finds excuses to stay away from her since the book was dedicated to his own ex-lover. How long can he put up the charade, is what makes Bareilly Ki Barfi a sweet tale of love centred around a match made in heaven residing in a small town in India.