Overview
Undekhi is an Indian Hindi-language crime thriller web series that premiered on the streaming platform SonyLIV. Created by Applause Entertainment in association with Edgestorm Ventures, the show is known for its dark, gritty narrative set against the backdrop of Punjab and the Sundarbans, exploring themes of power, exploitation, and class conflict. The series has been received as one of the notable Indian crime dramas on streaming platforms, with multiple seasons being produced after a successful initial release.
Key Facts
| Title | Undekhi |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime thriller, drama |
| Language | Hindi |
| Original network | SonyLIV |
| Country of origin | India |
| Production | Applause Entertainment, Edgestorm Ventures |
| First season release | 2020 |
| Format | Streaming web series |
Background
The series was developed as part of Applause Entertainment's slate of original content, a banner that has produced several acclaimed Indian web series. Undekhi was conceived as a layered crime drama that contrasts the lives of the wealthy and powerful with those of marginalised communities, using a wedding-related incident as the catalyst for its narrative. The title, which translates roughly to "unseen" or "unnoticed," reflects the show's thematic focus on overlooked victims of crime and structural inequities.
Plot and Setting
The first season opens with a violent incident at a destination wedding in Manali, where a powerful family from Punjab is involved in a crime that they attempt to cover up. The narrative weaves together multiple strands, including the perspective of a tribal woman from the Sundarbans whose life intersects with the wealthy family, and a determined police officer pursuing the truth. Subsequent seasons continue the story, expanding on the consequences of the original crime and the moral compromises of the characters involved.
Cast
The series features an ensemble cast of Indian film and television actors. Lead and supporting performances span characters from the antagonistic Atwal family, law enforcement, and victims caught in the conflict. The show has been noted for performances that emphasise restrained menace and moral ambiguity rather than conventional heroism.
Production
- Banner: Applause Entertainment, the content arm of the Aditya Birla Group, known for series such as Scam 1992, Criminal Justice, and Rudra.
- Co-producer: Edgestorm Ventures.
- Setting: Locations evoking Manali, Punjab, and the Sundarbans region of West Bengal.
Release and Reception
The first season debuted on SonyLIV in 2020 and was followed by additional seasons in subsequent years. The series received attention from Indian streaming audiences and critics for its grim tone, regional authenticity, and willingness to depict violence and class exploitation without glamorisation. It has been discussed in coverage of the broader expansion of crime-genre storytelling on Indian OTT platforms.
Significance
Within the Indian streaming landscape, Undekhi is regarded as part of a wave of regionally rooted crime dramas that emerged on platforms like SonyLIV, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and ZEE5. It contributed to the visibility of stories that examine the nexus between wealth, political influence, and impunity, themes also explored in series such as Mirzapur and Paatal Lok. The show is also notable for foregrounding tribal and marginalised characters as central rather than peripheral figures.
Related Topics
- SonyLIV
- Applause Entertainment
- Indian Web Series
- Hindi Web Television
- Sundarbans
- Manali
- Crime Thriller
- Over-the-top Media Services in India
References
- SonyLIV official series listing for Undekhi.
- Applause Entertainment production catalogue.
- Indian entertainment press coverage of OTT crime dramas.