Small-town India has become one of the most relatable settings on Indian OTT platforms. From family arguments and village politics to homesickness and everyday struggles, these stories often find humour and warmth in ordinary lives.
With Dupahiya 2 returning to Dhadakpur, here are five shows that similarly celebrate the charm of life away from India’s big cities.
1. Panchayat
Set in the fictional village of Phulera, Panchayat follows engineering graduate Abhishek Tripathi, who reluctantly takes up a government job as the village panchayat secretary.
The series turns everyday village situations into funny, emotional and often surprisingly thoughtful stories. Its characters, including Pradhan Ji and Manju Devi, have become some of India’s most recognisable OTT personalities.
2. Gullak
Gullak moves from village politics to the everyday life of a middle-class North Indian family. The Mishras—Santosh, Shanti, Annu and Aman deal with sibling fights, financial concerns, parental expectations and neighbourhood gossip.
Its strength lies in turning seemingly ordinary family moments into stories that feel instantly familiar.
3. Yeh Meri Family
Set in Jaipur in 1998, Yeh Meri Family takes viewers back to a pre-social-media childhood.
The story follows 12-year-old Harshal as he navigates school, friendships, sibling rivalries and family life. For viewers who grew up in the 1990s, the show offers a nostalgic look at simpler everyday experiences.
4. Gram Chikitsalay
Gram Chikitsalay focuses on Dr Prabhat, a young doctor who arrives at a rural government health centre.
Instead of finding an ideal workplace, he encounters local politics, an encroached clinic and villagers with their own expectations. The series mixes humour with the realities of delivering healthcare in rural India.
5. Ghar Waapsi
Ghar Waapsi explores a different side of small-town India the experience of returning home.
Shekhar moves back to Indore after losing his job in Bengaluru. What initially feels like a setback gradually becomes an opportunity to reconnect with family, old friends and the place he once left behind.
Why Small-Town Stories Connect
The popularity of these shows comes from their ability to find drama in ordinary situations. They feature familiar families, local communities, everyday ambitions and characters who don’t always fit the image of a typical urban hero.
As Dupahiya 2 continues the trend with its fictional Bihar village of Dhadakpur, small-town India remains a rich source of stories that are funny, warm and deeply relatable.