Here is the full overview of the series, including the plot, cast, and what makes it a standout watch.
The ensemble is flawless. Jimmy Sheirgill, known for playing the suave gangster, completely reinvents himself as the pompous, almost cartoonishly evil Shukla Ji. He’s hilarious and hateable at the same time.
Opposite him is a motley crew of excellent performers:
Every character gets a backstory, a motive, and a moment to shine. You root for every single one of them.
In the conversation for "top web series 2023 visual design," Choona is shockingly underrated. The color grading shifts between the muddy browns of small-town politics and the vibrant, psychedelic neon of the astrological "what-if" sequences. The background score, blending classical instruments with electronic beats, feels like a whimsical Tarantino film set in Lucknow.
If you are looking for the top web series of 2023, here is the specific criteria that elevates Choona above the noise. choona 2023 web series top
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.
A recurring theme in Choona is the intersection of superstition and power. The antagonist’s reliance on astrological predictions and religious rituals to make state decisions serves as a sharp critique of the irrationality that often governs political discourse. The protagonists exploit this superstition to execute their heist, using the politician's blind faith against him. Here is the full overview of the series,
This dynamic creates a compelling dichotomy: the "backward" thinking of the ruling class versus the modern, calculated pragmatism of the rebels. The series suggests that while the political elite may rely on outdated, feudal methods to maintain power, the new generation of disruptors uses intellect and technology to dismantle it.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Verdict: A wildly ambitious, politically charged heist comedy that fires on many cylinders (performances, music, world-building) but sputters due to a sluggish middle and an identity crisis between slapstick and satire.
What’s the Hype About?
Choona isn't your typical Money Heist clone. Set against the dusty, vibrant landscapes of Uttar Pradesh, the series follows a ragtag team of misfits—an astrologer, a disgraced cop, a small-time thug, and a clerk, among others—who unite to rob a ruthless, superstitious politician, Shukla (played with delicious menace by Jimmy Shergill). Their plan? Exploit his blind faith in astrology to predict his own downfall.
The Highs (The “Top” Elements)
The Lows (Why It’s Not a “Top” Tier Show) Vikram Kochhar as the reluctant mastermind, PPP
Final Call:
Choona is like a delicious thali where some dishes are five-star and others are bland. If you love Jimmy Shergill, enjoy political satire, and don’t mind a slow burn, give it a watch. But if you’re seeking a sleek, edge-of-your-seat thriller like Farzi or Family Man, you might find yourself checking your phone. It’s ambitious, authentic, but ultimately uneven.
Watch it for: Jimmy Shergill’s swagger + the first two episodes.
Skip it if: Slow-burn character dramas bore you.
Critically, Choona received mixed-to-positive reviews. While praised for its writing and the performances of the ensemble cast—particularly the nuanced portrayal of the "grey" areas of morality—the series faced criticism regarding its pacing. The eight-episode format occasionally stretches the narrative thin, with subplots that dilute the central tension.
Visually, the series captures the dusty, menacing atmosphere of the Indian heartland. The cinematography eschews the glossy sheen of urban dramas for a more grounded, gritty aesthetic that complements the narrative's themes of poverty and struggle.
