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Released on September 29, 2023, Choona (Hindi for “The Swindle” or “The Heist”) is a political heist comedy created by Pushpendra Nath Misra. At first glance, it sounds like a standard underdog story: a group of misfits plots to take down a powerful, arrogant politician.
However, the devil—and the delight—is in the details.
The series stars the towering Jimmy Shergill as Shukla Ji (Arvind Shukla), an astrologer-turned-politician who believes the cosmos revolves around him. Shukla Ji is a tyrant who has crushed the lives of six specific individuals. When these six victims—a depressed former commissioner, a disgraced astrologer, a lovesick strongman, a trans woman finance whiz, a frustrated clerk, and a cynical journalist—realize that their "revenge" against Shukla is cosmically aligned, they hatch a plan to break into his vault and steal 1,000 crore rupees.
The twist? None of them are master criminals. They are amateurs. They are angry. And they are hilarious.
As we close out the year’s streaming releases, Choona remains a hidden gem that deserves to be in the conversation for the top web series of 2023. It is not the loudest show on Netflix, nor the most expensive. But it is arguably the smartest.
It proves that you don't need a famous star (beyond the reliable Shergill) or a massive VFX budget to create a compelling world. You just need a clever script, a fresh perspective, and a team of people desperate to give a politician the ultimate choona (swindle).
The final rating: 8/10. Recommendation: Add it to your queue tonight. By episode 3, you won't be able to stop.
Have you watched Choona? Share your thoughts on whether it deserves the top spot in 2023 in the comments below. For more deep dives into the best hidden gems on streaming, subscribe to our newsletter.
is an Indian Hindi-language heist comedy thriller web series that premiered on September 29, 2023 Created, written, and directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra
, the show blends political satire with an underdog revenge narrative set in the heartland of Uttar Pradesh Core Premise and Plot
The series follows a ragtag group of misfits who discover a common enemy in Avinash Shukla
(Jimmy Shergill), a ruthless, corrupt, and highly superstitious politician. Each character has been personally wronged by Shukla: : The group plots an ambitious heist to steal ₹800 crore from Shukla’s high-security fortress. Key Themes : The show explores the intersection of astrology, politics, and technology
, as Shukla’s obsession with planetary alignments becomes a central vulnerability the team exploits. Lead Cast and Crew
The series is headlined by a diverse ensemble cast, featuring established veterans and fresh faces:
Choona (2023) — Web Series Review and Analysis
Choona, released in 2023, is a Hindi-language dark comedy-heist series that blends satire, revenge drama, and social commentary into a tight, character-driven narrative. At its core, Choona is about a ragtag group of people who come together to exact revenge on a billionaire politician who destroyed their lives. The series balances humor with moments of real emotional weight, and its success lies in the chemistry among the ensemble, a sharp script, and confident tonal control.
Plot and Structure The story centers on a flawed mastermind who recruits five individuals—each with a distinct grievance against the powerful antagonist—to carry out an elaborate plan. Rather than a straight heist thriller, Choona spreads its narrative across character backstories, incremental reveals, and moral ambiguity. Episodes alternate between present-day planning and past incidents that explain why each member joined the plot, creating a layered pacing that maintains curiosity while deepening investment in the characters’ motives. choona 2023 web series top
Characters and Performances Choona’s strength is its ensemble cast. Each character is vividly drawn: the charismatic but unstable leader, the idealistic newcomer, the bruised veteran looking for closure, the tech-savvy conspirator, and the quiet but dangerous outsider. Performances are uniformly strong; actors commit to both the comedic beats and the darker turns, making the group feel believable as both a dysfunctional family and an effective team. The antagonist—a larger-than-life billionaire-politician figure—is portrayed as predatory and cartoonishly powerful, which the series uses to satirize rampant corruption and inequality.
Themes and Tone Choona navigates themes of revenge, justice, class struggle, and the ethics of vigilantism. The series doesn’t glorify violence uncritically; instead, it interrogates whether personal retribution fills the void left by systemic failure. It frequently adopts a blackly comic tone, allowing satire to expose social ills without becoming didactic. This tonal blend—wry humor undercut by shocking consequences—gives the series a distinctive voice.
Writing and Direction The writing is tight and economical, using flashbacks and cliffhangers to propel the plot while revealing human details that elevate the heist into something emotionally resonant. Dialogues are often sharp and quotable; comic moments feel earned rather than tacked-on. Directionally, the series favors kinetic staging for heist sequences and quieter, more intimate setups for character beats, balancing spectacle and introspection effectively.
Production Values Choona’s production values are solid for a streaming series: competent cinematography that shifts between stylized sequences and grounded realism, a soundtrack that punctuates mood shifts, and production design that highlights the contrast between opulence and deprivation. Action is handled with clarity—stylized but coherent—and editing keeps momentum without sacrificing clarity.
Criticisms The series is not without flaws. At times, certain subplots receive less resolution than they deserve, and a few tonal shifts can feel abrupt—moving from broad comedy to visceral drama within the same scene risks jarring the viewer. Some viewers may also find the moral ambiguity unsatisfying if they prefer clear-cut heroes and villains.
Cultural Impact and Relevance Choona taps into contemporary frustrations about wealth inequality, corrupt elites, and the failings of institutions, making it resonate with audiences attuned to such social critiques. Its mixture of entertainment and commentary helped it stand out among 2023 releases, and it sparked conversations about methods of justice and the ethics of taking power back into ordinary hands.
Conclusion Choona (2023) succeeds as a smart, stylish, and morally thorny heist drama with a strong ensemble and a distinct tonal signature. While not flawless, it is compelling and memorable—a web series that entertains while provoking thought about revenge, justice, and who gets to punish the powerful.
Choona is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language heist comedy thriller that ranks as a top watch for fans of political satire and underdog stories. Streaming on Netflix, the series follows an unlikely group of misfits who realize they share a common enemy—a powerful, superstitious politician—and team up to pull off a massive heist to settle the score. Why It's a "Top" Choice
Critics and viewers from platforms like Rotten Tomatoes and Instagram highlight several reasons for its popularity:
Fresh Take on Revenge: Unlike dark, gritty crime dramas, reviewers on Instagram describe it as a "fun, breezy watch" that prioritizes wit and character dynamics over pure violence.
Ensemble Cast: Led by Jimmy Shergill as the formidable Shukla Ji, the show features a diverse group—including a mole, a master of disguise, and an astrologer—adding layers of humor and complexity to the plot.
Political Satire: The series cleverly mocks the intersection of power, superstition, and greed in Indian politics, making it both entertaining and socially relevant.
If you enjoy fast-paced heist narratives with a comedic twist, Choona is widely considered one of the standout Indian web series of 2023.
Released on September 29, 2023, is an eight-episode Indian heist drama and political satire streaming on Netflix. Set in the political heartland of Uttar Pradesh, it follows an unlikely team of underdogs who unite to take down a formidable common enemy. Core Premise & Plot
The series centers on Avinash Shukla, a ruthless, power-hungry, and highly superstitious politician. After being wronged by him in different ways, a diverse group of "misfits"—including a small-time criminal, a bumbling cop, and a wily con man—plot a daring ₹800 crore heist from Shukla's party office. The title "Choona" is a Hindi idiom for cheating or swindling someone. Cast & Characters
Jimmy Shergill as Avinash Shukla: A powerhouse performance as the superstitious antagonist.
Aashim Gulati as Yaqoob Ansari: A key member of the heist team.
Arshad Warsi: Provides the distinctive voiceover narration for the series. Watch Choona if you like:
Supporting Cast: Includes Namit Das, Chandan Roy, Vikram Kochhar, Monika Panwar, and Niharika Lyra Dutt. Critical Reception
Reviews for Choona were generally mixed to positive, with critics highlighting its unique flavor: Choona (TV Series 2023– ) - IMDb
The web series , released on September 29, 2023, is a heist comedy thriller that gained popularity for its quirky "desi" take on the genre. It features a group of misfits attempting to take down a corrupt and superstitious politician. Series Overview Release Date: September 29, 2023. Platform: Netflix India. Genre: Heist Comedy, Political Satire, Thriller. Episodes: 8 episodes (Season 1). Creator/Director: Pushpendra Nath Misra. Primary Cast & Narrator
Jimmy Shergill: Stars as Avinash Shukla, the ruthless yet superstitious politician.
Arshad Warsi: Serves as the series' narrator, adding a layer of wit and intrigue.
Key Ensemble: Aashim Gulati, Vikram Kochhar, Monika Panwar, Namit Das, Chandan Roy, and Gyanendra Tripathi. Plot Summary
The story is set in the heartland of Uttar Pradesh. It follows a diverse group of individuals—including a bumbling cop, a wily con man, and a student leader—who all share a common grudge against State Cabinet Minister Avinash Shukla. Leveraging Shukla’s deep-rooted belief in astrology and planetary alignments, the group plots a massive heist to steal his ill-gotten wealth. Reception & Highlights
Critical Rating: The series received generally positive reviews, with The Times of India giving it a 3.5/5 rating.
Entertainment Value: Critics highlighted the series' light-hearted tone and effective blend of humor and revenge.
Standout Elements: Jimmy Shergill's performance as the antagonist and the unique inclusion of planetary horoscopes as a plot device were widely praised. Watch Choona
Choona is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language heist comedy-drama series that premiered on Netflix India on September 29, 2023. Created, written, and directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra, the show blends political satire with a classic "underdog vs. powerful villain" heist narrative. Plot Overview
The story is set in the political heartland of Uttar Pradesh and follows an unlikely group of six misfits who share a common enemy: Avinash Shukla (played by Jimmy Shergill), a ruthless and highly superstitious politician. Each character has been humiliated or wronged by Shukla in different ways. They band together to execute a daring heist to steal ₹600 crore from Shukla's high-security party office during a solar eclipse—a time when his superstitious fears are at their peak. Cast and Characters The series is anchored by a strong ensemble cast:
is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language heist comedy-thriller that premiered on on 29 September 2023 . Created, written, and directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra
, the eight-episode series blends political drama with satirical humor and crime. Core Premise
The story revolves around an unlikely group of misfits who discover they share a common enemy: Avinash Shukla
(played by Jimmy Sheirgill), a ruthless yet deeply superstitious and delusional politician nicknamed "Calculator". Bound together by their individual vendettas, the group plots an audacious heist to steal ₹600 crore from Shukla’s fortress-like party office. Key Characters and Cast
The series is noted for its diverse ensemble of characters, each bringing a unique "flavor" or skill to the heist: Avinash Shukla (Jimmy Sheirgill):
A power-hungry politician whose only weakness is his obsession with astrology and planetary positions. Yaqoob Ansari (Aashim Gulati): An impulsive local goon seeking revenge for his mentor. Triloki (Namit Das): A master of disguise and an omnipresent informant. Bishnu (Chandan Roy): Skip Choona if: Released on September 29, 2023,
Shukla’s brother-in-law who provides internal access to power. Bela Pandey (Monika Panwar):
A fierce news anchor and one of the primary female characters with agency. Jhumpa (Niharika Lyra Dutt):
A tech genius whose skills are vital for the heist's execution. Narrator (Arshad Warsi):
His frequent voiceover provides context and adds a comedic layer, though some reviewers found it intrusive.
The 2023 web series is a heist comedy-thriller that premiered on
on September 29, 2023. Created by Pushpendra Nath Misra, the show features an ensemble cast led by Jimmy Shergill
and revolves around a high-stakes revenge plot against a corrupt, superstitious politician. Series Overview
: An unlikely group of misfits, including an astrologer, a shape-shifting informer, and a demoted police officer, unite to pull off a ₹600 crore heist against their common enemy, Avinash Shukla. : The story heavily incorporates themes of astrology and planetary alignment
, as the antagonist's deep belief in horoscopes becomes a central element of the group's strategy. Cast & Crew
: Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Monika Panwar, and Namit Das.
: Arshad Warsi provides a droll running commentary throughout the series. Production : Produced by Flying Saucer Reception and Highlights Choona (TV Series 2023– )
A warning: Choona is not an adrenaline-fueled Money Heist. It’s a slow-burn. The first two episodes spend a lot of time setting up the characters and their grievances.
But once the plan starts moving? The final three episodes are a masterclass in tension and release. Every detail you thought was random comes back in a brilliant, “aha!” moment. The finale sticks the landing—a rare feat for Indian web series.
Jimmy Sheirgill has long been typecast as the stern father or the heavy-hearted gangster. In Choona, as the astrologer Bishnu, he delivers a career-best comedic performance. His deadpan delivery of astrological nonsense, coupled with the silent grief of a man who lost everything to Shukla Ji, provides the emotional core of the series. For fans of the actor, this series is a top-tier showcase of his range.
In the bustling, often overwhelming landscape of Indian OTT content, 2023 was a year dominated by high-octane action spectacles and gritty crime dramas. Yet, nestled among the giants was a small, quirky jewel that managed to steal hearts without firing a single gun or shedding a single tear: Choona.
When searching for the “choona 2023 web series top” lists, you might expect to see the usual suspects take the crown. But a growing chorus of critics and fans argue that this Netflix original, directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra, is not just a good show—it is a top contender for the most innovative and entertaining series of the year.
Here is everything you need to know about why Choona deserves its spot at the top.