Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, a prominent voice in Indian cinema, offered a comprehensive review of Hindi Over-The-Top (OTT) content from 2025, emphasizing a noticeable evolution in storytelling. Published in the Hindustan Times on December 29, 2025, Mehta expressed his surprise at the industry's progression, stating that what struck him most wasn't nostalgia, but the sheer range and confidence of the shows. Mehta strongly refuted perennial declarations that the Indian OTT landscape was 'finished,' 'saturated,' or 'choked by data.' Instead, he celebrated how many series 'refused to behave like content and instead insisted on being stories.' Having served on the jury of a major OTT awards platform that year, he lauded specific titles for their distinct quality. He praised 'Black Warrant' as a 'muscular, immersive triumph' and 'Paatal Lok Season 2' as 'the impossible sequel that dared and won.' Aryan Khan's directorial debut, 'Ba****ds of Bollywood,' was also highlighted for its assured entry. Mehta singled out 'Khauf' as his 'show of the year,' describing it as 'atmospheric, disciplined, genuinely unnerving,' and proving that horror can be effective without resorting to 'skin or slapstick.' He noted its use of 'shadow, silence and suggestion like grown-up tools' for chilling restraint. While acknowledging the presence of 'massy fare,' Mehta concluded that 2025 was a 'deeply satisfying year' for viewers, and one that would likely be remembered as 'part of Indian OTT's coming-of-age.' His review underscores a positive shift towards more narrative-driven and quality-focused content in the Hindi streaming space.