India, Oct. 14 -- The second season of Dupahiya, the much-loved Prime Video series, dropped on the platform last weekend. The show, about a crime-free (formerly) village, had captured the audience's attention when the first season was released last year. The second season yet again topped the charts. A few weeks ago, Adarsh Baal Vidyalaya not only achieved record viewership but also exploded in pop culture. And then there is the sustaining excellence of Gullak over five seasons. The signs are there. The slice-of-life comedy, set in a small town, is the new heartbeat of Indian streaming. Most big streaming platforms have shows in this milieu, and many have multiple titles. And it all seems to work.

Streaming in India began before the adve...