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.
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
is a 2023 Indian heist comedy-drama series released on Netflix on September 29, 2023. Created by Pushpendra Nath Mishra, it combines political rivalry, astrology, and a high-stakes heist. Core Overview Release Date: September 29, 2023 Platform: Netflix Genre: Heist, Political Satire, Comedy-Drama Number of Episodes: 8 Plot Summary
The story follows an unlikely group of misfits who share a common enemy: Avinash Shukla (played by Jimmy Shergill), a ruthless and superstitious politician who believes his success is dictated by the stars. The group plans an elaborate heist to steal ₹600 crore from his heavily guarded fortress, using his own obsession with astrology against him. Key Cast & Characters
Jimmy Shergill as Avinash Shukla (aka "Calculator Shukla"): A politician who manages his life through Vastu and planetary alignments. Aashim Gulati as Ansari: A key member of the heist team.
Arshad Warsi: Serves as the series' narrator, providing a witty commentary on the unfolding events.
Namit Das, Chandan Sanyal, and Vikram Kochhar: Supporting cast members playing various roles in the heist crew. Critical Performance & Reception
The series received a mixed to positive response, currently holding a 6.4/10 rating on IMDb. Strengths:
Jimmy Shergill's Performance: Widely praised for his "effortless projection" of the delusional yet powerful antagonist. choona 2023 web series top
Quirky Premise: Critics noted that the blend of heist mechanics with Indian political superstition was a fresh concept.
Ensemble Chemistry: The diverse characters and their individual backstories were cited as a highlight. Weaknesses:
Pacing Issues: Some reviewers from Film Companion felt the show stretched a two-hour movie premise into an eight-episode series, causing interest to dip in the middle.
Heavy Narration: While Arshad Warsi's narration was liked, some felt it was overused and explained things the audience could already see. Why it Made "Top" Lists in 2023
While it may not have reached the cultural peak of shows like Panchayat, it was frequently cited in "Best Heist Shows" or "Must-Watch Indian Originals" of late 2023 due to its unique regional flavor and the return of Jimmy Shergill to a leading role in the streaming space. Choona (TV Series 2023– ) - IMDb
Choona - Wikipedia Choona is an Indian Hindi-language heist comedy thriller television series streaming on Netflix. Created, written and directed by ... Watch Choona | Netflix Official Site
When an unlikely group of misfits discovers a common enemy in the same ruthless yet superstitious politician, they plot a heist to... Pushpendra Nath Misra
These two are cult favorites, and not many filmmakers have been able to tap into the genre. The new Netflix India Original created... Pushpendra Nath Misra
(2023) is a quirky Indian heist comedy-thriller series streaming on
. Set in the heartland of Uttar Pradesh, it blends political satire with a "desi" take on the heist genre, often compared to an Indian version of Money Heist Top Features & Highlights Intriguing Plot
: The story follows a diverse group of misfits who realize they share a common enemy in the ruthless, superstitious politician Avinash Shukla. They team up to plan an audacious heist to steal ₹600 crore from his party office. Stellar Lead Performance Jimmy Shergill
delivers a powerhouse performance as Avinash Shukla, a corrupt politician obsessed with astrology and planetary alignments. Unique Narrative Style : The series features a refreshing narration by Arshad Warsi
, which adds a layer of dry humor and satire to the unfolding drama. Quirky Characters
: The heist team includes a master of disguise (Namit Das), a tech-whiz (Niharika Lyra Dutt), and a fearless former cop-turned-anchor (Monika Panwar), each bringing distinct flavor and humor to the plan. Satirical Tone
: It cleverly mocks political greed, manipulation, and the blind faith some leaders place in superstition. Quick Series Facts Creator/Director Pushpendra Nath Misra Release Date September 29, 2023 8 Episodes Heist, Comedy, Political Drama
Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gulati, Namit Das, Chandan Roy, Vikram Kochhar to watch or more details on the individual characters in the heist team? Choona - Wikipedia
Choona is an Indian Hindi-language heist comedy thriller television series streaming on Netflix. Created, written and directed by ... Watch Choona | Netflix Official Site
When an unlikely group of misfits discovers a common enemy in the same ruthless yet superstitious politician, they plot a heist to... Choona - Wikipedia
Created, written and directed by Pushpendra Nath Misra and produced by Flying Saucer, the series stars Jimmy Shergill, Aashim Gula... Pushpendra Nath Misra Choona is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language heist comedy
These two are cult favorites, and not many filmmakers have been able to tap into the genre. The new Netflix India Original created... Pushpendra Nath Misra Jimmy Shergill
Recently, Jimmy Shergill has started working in web series and has grabbed huge eyeballs in online space. Maybe, we won't see him ... Jimmy Shergill Aashim Gulati
He ( Aashim Gulati ) made his ( Aashim Gulati ) debut with the serial Gulmohar Grand in 2015, the serial is aired on Star Plus cha... Aashim Gulati Arshad Warsi
Arshad Warsi, who left a deep impact with his web series Asur, has now shared the latest update on the third season of the show. T... Arshad Warsi
Rather, it was the digital platform that helped him ( Namit Das ) prove his ( Namit Das ) versatility. Das ( Namit Das ) , who sta... Vikram Kochhar
Vikram Kochhar is known as an Actor. Some of his work includes Dunki, Kesari, Thank God, Mili, Angry Indian Goddesses, Inside Edge... Vikram Kochhar Gyanendra Tripathi
Gyanendra Tripathi is an Indian actor known for his impactful roles in films and web series. Gyanendra Tripathi Monika Panwar
Monika Panwar obviously shines in this web series, and every other character does. Basically, the winning performance here is a ti... Monika Panwar Atul Srivastava
Veteran Se Vaartalaap! In this special series of episodes of Audition Ka Adda, I am honoured to have the experienced actor Atul Sr... Atul Srivastava Chandan Roy
Exciting News! 🎙 We had the pleasure of hosting Chandan Roy from the trending Panchayat web series on our “Please Sit Down” podca... Chandan Roy Dhruv Ghanekar
He ( Dhruv ) also was the lead actor in the TV series Katha Sagar, featuring in its debut episode. He ( Dhruv Ghanekar ) also had ... Dhruv Ghanekar Niharika Dutt
The one English-speaking actor who acquits herself ( Neeraj Kabi ) well is Niharika Dutt who plays an ambitious young journalist a... Niharika Dutt Choona (TV Series 2023– )
Choona Web Series is a Entertainer. - itsbymayank. Those who are saying bad things about web series.. I may agree but there are ma... Watch Choona
Choona. ... When an unlikely group of misfits discovers a common enemy in the same ruthless yet superstitious politician, they plo... Choona (Serie de TV 2023 - IMDb
Has its moments! This is a regular heist show, nothing new or exceptional, but still fun. The acting talent in this show is fabulo...
Choona (2023) is a quirky Hindi web series that blends crime, ...
Performances are one of the show's strengths. The lead antagonist is portrayed with charm and menace, making him entertaining to w... film_decode_studio Choona Season 1 Review: An enthralling desi heist drama!
Choona Season 1. ... While 'Choona' may not achieve the iconic status of 'Money Heist,' it is an enthralling desi version that off... The Times of India "Choona" Sleep with the Fishes (TV Episode 2023) - IMDb
Storyline * Genres. Comedy. Crime. Drama. Thriller. * Certificate. TV-MA. * Add content advisory. The Indian Express called it: "A slow-burn delight
'Choona' series review: This crazy Jimmy Shergill showreel is ...
In Choona, the latest Netflix series title after the metaphor for conning someone in the Hindi heartland, he is incredibly believa...
‘Choona’ review: An impish caper with memorable characters
The voiceover, by Arshad Warsi, is dominating and distracts from the events, especially in the initial episodes. Overall, Choona s... Choona - Web Series Review - Deepa Gahlot
The two young women have the most interesting roles – Triloki's girlfriend Jhumpa is a tech wiz, without whose expertise nothing c... deepagahlot.com Choona (Serie de TV 2023 - IMDb
Choona. ... Cuando un improbable grupo de inadaptados descubre un enemigo común en el mismo político despiadado y supersticioso, p... Choona on Netflix: Full cast, release date, plot, trailer
Despite their best efforts to please Shukla, they all end up facing humiliation at his hands. ... An error occurred. Try watching ... The Statesman
Title: The Great Indian Political Heist: A Critical Analysis of the 2023 Web Series Choona
Abstract
This paper examines the 2023 Hindi-language web series Choona, created by Pushpendra Nath Misra and streamed on Netflix. Positioned within the burgeoning genre of Indian political satires and heist thrillers, Choona attempts to deconstruct the nexus between bureaucracy, politics, and superstition in the Indian heartland. By analyzing the narrative structure, character archetypes, and thematic concerns, this paper argues that Choona serves as a poignant, albeit occasionally tonally inconsistent, critique of systemic corruption. It successfully utilizes the heist genre not merely for entertainment, but as a metaphor for the chaotic, byzantine nature of Indian democracy where the marginalized must resort to subterfuge to topple the powerful.
One of the standout reasons this is a top web series of 2023 is its organic portrayal of a transgender character, Bela (played brilliantly by Namit Das). Unlike many shows that tokenize LGBTQ+ characters, Choona makes Bela the financial brains of the heist. Her identity is part of her character, not her sole plot point. She is sharp, quick-witted, and essential to the crew—proving that inclusive storytelling works best when it feels natural.
Since its release, the choona 2023 web series has garnered a solid 7.5/10 on IMDb and an 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
However, critics did note one caveat: The first two episodes are slow. The show spends a lot of time establishing the six protagonists' backstories. But if you power through the setup, the final four episodes deliver a domino-effect payoff that is rarely seen in Indian web series.
"Choona" is a heist thriller with a unique flavor—it blends high-stakes crime with political satire. The story revolves around a group of outsiders and misfits who come together to pull off an impossible heist.
Their target is a powerful and corrupt politician, Shukla Ji, who has amassed massive wealth through illegal means. The team is led by a mysterious mastermind, J.P. Yadav, who recruits specialists from different walks of life—each wronged by the system or Shukla Ji in some way.
The central hook of the series is the "Chaupad" (dice game) metaphor. The heist is designed like a game of strategy and chance, where the underdogs try to topple the king. The narrative is non-linear, using flashbacks and voiceovers to explain the meticulous planning and the chaotic execution of the plan.
Unlike the gritty, rain-soaked mafia worlds of Mumbai or Delhi, Choona is soaked in the sunlight and dust of Prayagraj. The series captures the uniquely North Indian obsession with shagun (auspicious timings) and vastu. It doesn't mock these beliefs; rather, it shows how easily they can be weaponized by the intelligent.
The local dialects, the street food politics, and the bureaucratic absurdity are rendered with a loving, satirical eye. This authenticity makes the "choona" (the con) feel real.
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