iWorld
Were you writing off ALTBalaji’s Gandii Baat? Here’s why you should not!
MUMBAI: ALTBalaji, India’s leading homegrown OTT platform, once again proves that no one knows Indian audiences better. On the back of some highly engaging mass content, the OTT platform is once again making headlines for one of its most spoken about originals, Gandii Baat. The highly-watched web-series has earned a cult following amongst the masses for its depiction of stories revolving around the reality of social stigmas and mental taboos associated with sexual preferences inspired by incidents from the heartland of the country. Its 4th season, done in association with ZEE5, was launched in less than 2 years of its inaugural season and is testimony to its popularity and how largely the show is being consumed by the audiences across the globe. To be precise, the web-series attracted 22% views from global audiences whereas the show earned a place in the heart of the Indian audience with a staggering 78% of views coming from this respective demographic. Its controversial content has struck a chord with the ladies as well, with an unprecedented 24% of the viewership pie belonging to women, a number that grows by 10% with every season.
The web series is one of the ALTBalaji’s most-watched and appreciated series which has, in no time, created many milestones. Offering viewers content that is not only new but also engaging and intriguing novel, the show has witnessed a massive completion rate of 78% across seasons. Apart from talking openly about the issues which are brushed under the carpet often, Gandii Baat breaks another perception that the show is only consumed by people coming from a lower middle-class background. Viewers with high-end devices (Apple+ Connected devices) who watch Gandii Baat are 18.5% and this number has seen an 8% incremental growth each season.
While ALTBalaji caters to audiences across ages, viewership figures further reveal that Gandii Baat audience base comprises of 86% in the 18-35 years age bracket that strongly translates into audience that is young, savvy and has a higher wallet share.
Nachiket Pantvaidya, Group CEO, Balaji Telefilms and CEO, ALTBalaji said, “Exceeding expectations of the entire team as well as audiences around the world, the series has gone on earn such a massive fan following that today, if there is a name synonymous with erotic web content, it would have to be Gandii Baat. Pushing the envelope in every season, the core in each of our stories is leaving a lot of room for one's imagination. Enjoyed by audiences around the globe, both young and old, as we offer a new take with every season by depicting the myths and beliefs of rural India, we shall continue to do so and present content in a bolder avatar with a fresh take on situations.”
The franchise, Gandii Baat has been breaking stereotypes while highlighting certain facts and topics which no one bothers to address. The show looks at all such taboos pertaining to sexuality, desire, consent from a modern lens while bringing the flavour of rural India.
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
