June 2025 was a crucial month for ZEE5, and unlike May’s slow run, this time the platform delivered quantity and a few quality surprises too. From regional gems to emotional family stories, June’s content rollout covered almost every genre, though the results were as mixed as ever. Some titles bombed, others bloomed, but what’s clear is that ZEE5 is finally listening, adapting, and evolving.
Let’s start with what went wrong. The much promoted thriller Chhal Kapat failed to impress despite Shriya Pilgaonkar’s honest performance. Viewers were quick to call out its lazy writing, awkward pacing, and uninspired direction. In the same league was Viraatapalem: PC Meena Reporting, which had an exciting premise on paper but ended up feeling routine and unpolished. Even with a unique idea of a cursed village and a female lead in uniform, it couldn’t deliver the grip needed for a binge worthy thriller.
Devil’s Double Next Level, Santhanam’s horror comedy, received a lukewarm reception. It had flashes of entertainment and some self aware humour, but weak characters and erratic tone kept it from landing the way it should have. Similarly, Detective Sherdil with Diljit Dosanjh had the charm but not the substance. Critics pointed out that the mystery was too predictable and the cast didn’t get the space to shine.
Yet, ZEE5’s June wasn’t without its hits.
Ground Zero, featuring Emraan Hashmi, found a second life on OTT. While the film may have underperformed theatrically, streaming gave it the right audience. Hashmi’s subtle performance and the film’s no jingoism approach struck a chord with viewers who prefer realism over drama. On the other hand, Prince and Family offered a simple yet meaningful take on social media culture. Dileep’s grounded role and the relatable family narrative made it a modest but heartfelt success.
But the real winners of the month came from Bengal. Parineeta was widely praised for its emotional depth and clean storytelling. Subhashree’s performance was powerful and nuanced, with the music and screenplay adding to its charm. Then came Bibhishon, a gritty original that drew praise for its intelligent writing and performances, especially Amit Saha’s role. A dark cop criminal narrative with a social critique at its core, this one gave ZEE5 the breakthrough it needed in the regional space.
Finally, Ata Thambaycha Naay! became an unexpected emotional powerhouse. Blending family drama with technical finesse, it left viewers moved and impressed. The Marathi film proved once again that small scale stories, when made with heart and honesty, can create big impact.
ZEE5’s June calendar may have started with misfires, but it ended strong. The platform showed a clear improvement in curation, regional focus, and storytelling variety. As the second half of the year unfolds, it will be interesting to see if ZEE5 can keep this momentum going or fall back into old habits.
Keep watching, because if June taught us anything, it’s that ZEE5 might just be warming up.
Follow Binge Moves on Instagram and Facebook for the latest reviews, OTT updates, and streaming gems you don’t want to miss.
