The Small Screen Revolution: Your Guide to the Best New Indian TV Shows of January 2026

Forget the winter chill, January 2026 is heating up with a sizzling array of new Indian television shows. This isn’t your grandmother’s saas-bahu saga hour. We’re in the midst of a creative renaissance, where streaming platforms and bold broadcast channels are unleashing stories that are as diverse as India itself. From gritty neo-noir thrillers set in forgotten towns to heartwarming comedies that redefine family, this month’s lineup proves that Indian TV is confidently stepping into global storytelling leagues while staying rooted in its unique soil. Let’s dive into the most compelling narratives hitting your screens this month.

The Crown Jewel: “Chaurasi” (Amazon Prime Video)

Premise & Buzz: Arguably the most anticipated release, Chaurasi (’84) is a delicate, profound historical drama set in a small Punjabi town in the year 1984. Created by the acclaimed team behind Panchayat, this isn’t a blunt political thriller. Instead, it’s a mosaic of human stories—a Sikh schoolteacher, a Hindu journalist returning home, a local policeman—whose lives gently intersect in the weeks leading up to and following the assassination of Indira Gandhi. The buzz is immense, with early reviews praising its “quiet power” and “human-first approach.”

Why It’s a Must-Watch: In an era of loud, sensationalist takes on history, Chaurasi chooses nuance. The performances, particularly by veteran actor Pankaj Tripathi as the weary yet principled schoolteacher, are being hailed as career-best. It’s a masterclass in how to handle a complex historical moment with empathy and artistic integrity, focusing on the emotional residue of events rather than just the events themselves.

The Edge-of-Your-Seat Thriller: “The Siliguri Tapes” (Disney+ Hotstar)

Premise & Buzz: Imagine True Detective meets the misty, tense terrain of the India-Bangladesh border. The Siliguri Tapes follows a cynical CBI officer (played by a brilliantly rugged Jaideep Ahlawat) and a sharp local linguist as they investigate a series of ritualistic killings that point to a long-forgotten tribal myth. The show thrives on atmosphere, using the dense, rainy forests of the corridor as a character in itself.

Why It’s a Must-Watch: This series marks a new high for Indian production design and cinematography in the thriller genre. It’s unafraid to be slow-burning and cerebral, trusting the audience with layered clues and moral ambiguities. The real draw is the dynamic between the two leads—a clash of modern policing and ancient cultural memory. It’s a gripping, weekly mystery that will have you theorizing on social media.

The Family Comedy We Needed: “Aunty-verse” (Netflix)

Premise & Buzz: A hilarious and heartfelt ode to the matriarchs of Mumbai’s housing societies, Aunty-verse is the breakout comedy of the month. It follows three wildly different “aunties”—a tech-savvy widow running a secret crypto empire, a former stage actress obsessed with her society’s cultural committee, and a pragmatic food blogger—who band together to solve the mundane yet epic crises of their apartment complex.

Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s fresh, genuinely funny, and subverts every stereotype in the book. With a cast led by the formidable trio of Supriya Pathak, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Amruta Subhash, the chemistry is pure gold. The show cleverly uses the housing society as a microcosm of modern urban India, tackling everything from generational gaps to sustainability fads with warmth and wit. It’s the feel-good antidote to the month’s heavier offerings.

The Poetic Fantasy: “Padmini’s Gallery” (SonyLIV)

Premise & Buzz: This visually stunning limited series is the dark horse of January. Padmini, a reclusive art restorer in Kolkata, discovers she can “step into” paintings, entering frozen moments in time. Each episode is a self-contained story—a Mughal court intrigue, a forgotten Bengali rebellion, a quiet moment in a 1950s Bombay café—from which she must exit without altering the past. But a sinister entity within the art begins to notice her.

Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s a bold, artistic experiment that pays off. Each historical period is rendered with breathtaking attention to detail, from costumes to dialects. The central performance by Tripti Dimri is hauntingly vulnerable. Padmini’s Gallery is proof that Indian TV can execute high-concept fantasy with emotional depth, offering both escapism and poignant reflections on memory and loss.

The Riveting Docu-Drama: “Line of Progress” (Discovery+ & JioCinema)

Premise & Buzz: This hybrid series is making waves for its innovative format. Each episode tackles a massive Indian infrastructure project—the new Himalayan tunnel network, the Chenab railway bridge, the Mumbai coastal road. It seamlessly blends real engineer interviews, stunning documentary footage, and a scripted drama following the personal lives and immense pressures faced by the on-ground teams.

Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s educational, humbling, and incredibly dramatic. You gain a profound appreciation for the human endeavor behind the headlines. The access granted to the film crews is unprecedented, offering viewers a literal front-row seat to engineering marvels in the making. It’s a patriotic show in the truest sense, celebrating grit and innovation without jingoism.

The Youth-Centric Wildcard: “Beta, Listen!” (YouTube Premium/ ULLU)

Premise & Buzz: Targeting the Gen Z and young millennial audience, this anthology series is sparking conversation. Each stand-alone episode focuses on a modern urban dilemma: digital inheritance after death, the ethics of AI relationships, the burnout of the gig economy, navigating polyamory in small-town India. It’s raw, stylized, and speaks directly in the language of its demographic.

Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s the pulse of young India. The show isn’t afraid to be provocative or messy. The production values are surprisingly high for its platform, and it’s introducing a roster of exciting new directors. It’s the perfect weekly dose of relatable, topical storytelling that feels ripped from the group chats of today’s youth.

Conclusion: A Landscape Transformed

January 2026 isn’t just a list of new shows; it’s a statement. Indian television has decisively moved beyond monolithic storytelling. The offerings this month cater to every taste—history buffs, thriller junkies, comedy lovers, and fantasy enthusiasts—all while maintaining a distinctly Indian soul. The common thread is ambition: in writing, in production quality, and in trust for the audience’s intelligence.

The era of passive viewing is over. These shows demand engagement, discussion, and emotional investment. They reflect a confident industry that knows its local stories have global appeal. So, dim the lights, grab your remote (or your device of choice), and dive in. The best seat in the house is now squarely in your living room. Happy viewing