Show: Zindaginama 
Directors: Sukriti Tyagi, Mitakshara Kumar, Sahaan Hattangadi, Danny Mamik, Aditya Sarpotdar, Rakhee Sandilya
Cast: Prajakta Koli, Yashaswini Dayama, Lillete Dubey, Shreyas Talpade, Anjali Patil, Shweta Basu Prasad, Sumeet Vyas, Mohammad Samad, Shruti Seth, Tanmay Dhanania, Shivani Raghuvanshi, Sayandeep Sengupta
Episodes: 6
Platform: SonyLIV
 
Released on World Mental Health Day, Zindaginama is a poignant anthology series that dives deep into various mental health issues, tackling topics like OCD, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and PTSD. With six episodes, each helmed by different directors, the series aims to break down societal stigmas and shed light on the often-overlooked struggles faced by individuals and their families.
 
Episode Highlights
 
The title, Zindaginama, aptly reflects the stories of everyday life intertwined with mental health challenges. The episodes are titled: Swagatam, Purple Duniya, One Plus One, Bhanwar, Caged, and The Daily Puppet Show, each offering a unique perspective on mental health.
 
Swagatam: Kicking off the series, this episode stars Shreyas Talpade as Mukul, who navigates the complexities of psychosis. The heartfelt dialogues with his supportive wife, played by Anjali Patil, beautifully capture the often-unseen role of caregivers, making this episode a standout.
 
Purple Duniya: Focused on gaming disorder, this episode introduces Tanmay Dhanania as Raag, a young man entranced by the virtual world. While it raises important questions about technology's impact on mental health, the storytelling occasionally loses its rhythm.
 
One Plus One: This episode explores atypical anorexia nervosa through the lives of Meera (Prajakta Koli) and Maya (Yashaswini Dayama), highlighting the profound effects of family dynamics on mental health.
 
Bhanwar: Featuring Shweta Basu Prasad as Namrata, this episode tackles PTSD with a refreshing honesty. The straightforward portrayal of trauma creates a relatable and soothing narrative.
Caged: My personal favorite, this episode tackles gender dysphoria through Mohammad Samad’s character, Raju. His journey toward self-acceptance, supported by Sumeet Vyas’s nuanced performance, resonates deeply and adds richness to the story.
 
The Daily Puppet Show: Concluding the series, this episode dives into OCD with a romantic twist. Shivani Raghuvanshi's portrayal of Leela, struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder, is both relatable and poignant, while Sayandeep Sengupta as a documentary filmmaker brings a touch of lightness to the narrative.
 
Overall Impression
 
Zindaginama is an emotional rollercoaster that effectively brings mental health discussions into the mainstream. While some episodes may lack depth in storytelling, the sincerity of the performances shines through. The series is a commendable effort to address mental health issues with sensitivity and realism.
 
Though viewers sensitive to these topics should proceed with caution, Zindaginama stands out as a heartfelt and necessary exploration of mental health. It’s a series that encourages conversation and understanding—an important step toward destigmatizing these issues in society.