Released during the lockdown-induced boom of OTT platforms, Mastram (created by Ashish R. Shukla) is a biographical satire based on the real-life phenomenon of the anonymous Hindi erotic writer who ruled the 90s. Unlike the soft-core films that often carry the "Mastram" label, this web series is a period drama. It is set in the late 90s in a dusty North Indian town, following Rajaram (played brilliantly by Jaideep Ahlawat), a bank employee who dreams of becoming the next Premchand.
While shows like Gangs of Wasseypur captured the linguistic rawness of the Hindi heartland, Mastram captures its sexual frustration. The series doesn't try to look like a glossy Netflix production. The grainy textures, the cramped printing presses, the sweaty summer afternoons, and the awkwardness of 90s India (landline phones, VCRs, and censorship) are palpable. mastram web series best
You cannot discuss the Mastram web series best without praising the cast. Released during the lockdown-induced boom of OTT platforms,
Set in the 1980s, the series follows Rajaram, a struggling writer in a small town. He aspires to write meaningful literature but finds that the public only craves "masala" stories. Under the pen name "Mastram," he begins writing erotic stories inspired by the real-life encounters and people around him. It is set in the late 90s in
: Anshuman Jha brings a relatable, earnest quality to Rajaram, while the supporting cast—including Tara Alisha Berry Aabha Paul Kenisha Awasthi