iWorld
Celebrate friendship with fantasy, drama, and comedy stories
Mumbai: Friendship day is here, a time to shower our incredible friends with love and celebrate the bonds that enrich our lives. Sure, there’s nothing quite like spending quality time with your real-life besties, sharing stories, and reminiscing about good times. But what about those moments when you crave a heartwarming story about friendship that explores the complexities of this precious connection? Well, fret not, for this list has you covered!
Here’s a selection of fantastic series and movies featuring unforgettable friendships that will resonate with you long after the credits roll (or the episode ends).
Kota Factory (Netflix): Dive into the pressure cooker world of IIT hopefuls with “Kota Factory” on Netflix. This black-and-white dramedy follows Vaibhav, a young student from Itarsi who arrives in Kota, Rajasthan, a city notorious for its intense coaching institutes. As Vaibhav navigates the competitive environment, friendships, and late-night study sessions, “Kota Factory” offers a realistic and often humorous portrayal of the lives of students striving to crack India’s prestigious entrance exams.
Brahmayantra (Pocket FM): Brace yourself for an epic fantasy adventure! When Nalini and her family tragically succumb to death while protecting the Brahmayantra (a powerful artifact) fate takes an unexpected turn. Through a miraculous twist, a great warrior is born from the awakened powers of the Brahmayantra. But that’s not all! Nalini herself receives a new body, allowing her to embark on a thrilling saga of revenge. In this journey of vengeance, she’s not alone. Standing by her side is Aryaman, another warrior born from the Brahmayantra’s power. Their bond is unbreakable, forged in the crucible of shared experiences and challenges alike. To delve deeper into their extraordinary connection and witness their awe-inspiring journey, tune in to Brahmayantra on Pocket FM!
Four More Shots Please! (Amazon Prime): Craving a series with a strong female bond? Look no further than “Four More Shots Please!” on Amazon Prime Video. This dramedy follows four unapologetically independent women navigating love, careers, and societal expectations in modern-day Mumbai. Through thick and thin, their unwavering support and hilarious escapades showcase the power of female friendship, making it a perfect pick for a night in with your besties, raising a glass (or four) to the friends who make life a little sweeter (and a lot more fun).
TVF Tripling (Zee5): This heartwarming web series delves into the lives of three siblings – each with distinct personalities, dreams, and quirks. Despite their differences, they share a special bond built on shared experiences, unwavering support, and a whole lot of laughter. Tripling offers a refreshing take on friendship, reminding us that the strongest bonds can often be found within our own families. The three protagonists decide to embark on a road trip together to get over their lives’ despair and come back afresh.
Kai Po Che! (Netflix): Dive into the lives of three friends – Ishaan, Omkar, and Govind starring Sushant Singh Rajput, Amit Sadh and Rajkummar Rao – in this coming-of-age sports drama set in Ahmedabad. Their shared passion for cricket fuels their dream of opening a sports academy. However, their journey is not without its challenges. As they navigate the changing social and political landscape of India, their friendship is tested by personal ambitions, societal pressures, and devastating tragedies. But through it all, their unwavering support for each other remains constant, reminding us of the strength that comes from having true friends by your side.
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.
