Over the past year, anthologies such as “Unpaused” and “Paava Kadhaigal” proved that the four‑short‑film model works on streaming platforms. “Ajeeb Daastaans” builds on that success, presenting four self‑contained narratives that orbit a single social concern: dysfunctional love and structural oppression.

Story Synopsis

In Shashank Khaitan’s Majnu, Jaideep Ahlawat and Fatima Sana Shaikh become entangled in a brooding love triangle inside a crumbling haveli. Neeraj Ghaywan’s Geeli Pucchi (Sloppy Kisses) follows factory workers Konkona Sen Sharma and Aditi Rao Hydari as they grapple with divergent identities while forming an intimate bond. Raj Mehta’s dark drama Khilauna (Toy) stars Nushrratt Bharuccha, Abhishek Banerjee and child actor Inayat Verma, who navigate elite apathy and class‑divide through a surreal turn of events. Finally, Kayoze Irani’s quietly poetic Ankahi captures a special connection between Shefali Shah and Manav Kaul that unfolds in unexpected, wordless ways.

Directorial Vision

Ghaywan explains that the seed for “Geeli Pucchi” was planted while writing his debut “Masaan”, but the idea felt “ajeeb” (strange) for that film, prompting him to revisit it in an anthology format. He deliberately used the narrative to discuss the largely untapped intersection of caste, class, gender and sexuality in India, noting that despite their different backgrounds, Konkona’s and Aditi’s characters experience patriarchy in the same oppressive manner.

Social Themes

All four shorts dissect prejudice, loneliness, jealousy and revenge. “Majnu” employs the haunted haveli as a metaphor for inherited societal expectations; “Geeli Pucchi” subverts the manic‑pixie‑dream‑girl trope by positioning the female lead as a subject rather than an object; “Khilauna” uses the title as a bitter metaphor for class‑based toys, while “Ankahi” explores silent intimacy against a backdrop of urban alienation.

Impact on Indian OTT Landscape

The pandemic‑driven surge of global content has reshaped audience taste. Mehta believes writers now “have to change the game” and directors must “raise the bar” because viewers no longer settle for dated formulas. Bharuccha adds that the current climate offers “more possibilities and experimentation” for actors. The collaboration between Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment and Netflix signals a healthy shift toward bold, socially aware Hindi cinema that can compete on a global stage.