Shaurya Singh Thapa

Shaurya Singh Thapa is a journalist and freelance writer from India who indulges the nitty-gritties of cinema, music, history and pop culture. His interests in cinema range from mainstream Hollywood to regional picks from all his native country and the rest of the world. Instead of Netflix and Prime, he is an unabashed promoter of the streaming platform Tubi mainly because it's free and because it offers some of his preferred low-budget cult classics like The Toxic Avenger, WolfCop, The Evil Bong, Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter and Post Apocalyptic Commando Shark. While he's not a filmmaker by profession, "auteurs" like Tommy Wiseau (The Room) and Ed Wood (Plan 9 From Outer Space) are his role models in life. Thapa also makes Instagram satirical posts/memes and makes parody rap/pop music on the side.

Experience and Education

Thapa's tryst with journalism began in his undergraduate years when he was pursuing History (with the hopes of being Indiana Jones or in his case, "Indian" Jones). As a student reporter in his alma mater Delhi University, Thapa started out as a ground reporter and copy editor for DU Beat, the campus newspaper and India's largest student-run publication. Within a year, he became DU Beat's Web Editor. This was followed by a regular stint as a listicle and features writer for Canadian infotainment site Screen Rant, penning more than 1100 articles on movies, comics, music, books, ending explainers etc. He also spent a year working as a Sub-Editor for the acclaimed India Today magazine's digital section. He also authored news reports and features, conducted guest intervies and manages Instagram content for India Today's subsidiary website DailyO. As a freelancer, Thapa's observations on cinema have been published in CBR, Film Companion, LiveWire and Firstpost.

Favourite Movies and TV-Shows

Thapa bases his personality by quoting The Room (arguably the worst movie ever made or the movie that's so bad that it's good) so that Tommy Wiseau classic is definitely up there among his favourite movies. Other go-to movies include Stand By Me, anything by Spike Lee or Spielberg, The King of Comedy (best Scorsese movie, period), Shrek and a whole lot of Aamir Khan movies from India. He's also a dedicated horror aficionado, deriving pleasure out of Hereditary, The Empty Man and Talk To Me. As for TV shows, any show with a morally ambigious self-hating protagonist works for him (Barry, Fleabag, Bojack Horseman, Succession, The Sopranos, Better Call Saul, Atlanta, Flowers). You can follow him on Instagram at @dalai_thapa.

Shaurya Singh Thapa has written 259 articles on JustWatch. This includes adding news and relevant information to movie & TV show pages.

  • <h1>10 Shows to Watch If You Loved Bridgerton and Where to Stream Them</h1>

    10 Shows to Watch If You Loved Bridgerton and Where to Stream Them

    Bridgerton is a dazzling period drama filled with romance, intrigue, and high society scandals set in early 19th century London. If you're looking for more captivating stories after watching Bridgerton in order, here are ten shows that will whisk you away to similar worlds. If you also wish to watch more costume dramas like Bridgerton, our guide includes similar recommendations. We additionally provide you with all the details that you need to stream, buy or rent these TV shows online. 

    Queen Charlotte

    A prequel to Bridgerton, this series delves into the early life and rise of Queen Charlotte. It offers more of the same lush costumes, royal intrigue, and romantic drama that Bridgerton fans adore.

    The Buccaneers

    Set in the Gilded Age, this series follows American heiresses navigating London’s high society. Its mix of romance, ambition, and opulent settings makes it a perfect follow-up for Bridgerton enthusiasts.

    The Great

    A satirical, comedic take on the rise of Catherine the Great, this series blends historical fiction with sharp wit and lavish production design, appealing to those who enjoy Bridgerton’s humor and drama.

    The Gilded Age

    This entertaining HBO series explores the lives of New York’s elite in the late 19th century. Its detailed portrayal of societal shifts and personal dramas mirrors the allure of Bridgerton.

    The Crown

    This critically acclaimed series chronicles the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Its royal intrigue, political machinations, and grand settings offer a more modern, but equally compelling, royal drama.

    The White Princess

    A historical drama centered on the tumultuous marriage of Elizabeth of York and Henry VII, blending romance and political intrigue. Fans of Bridgerton’s historical romance will find much to enjoy here.

    The Serpent Queen

    Following the life of Catherine de' Medici, this series offers a darker, more scheming look at royal court life, filled with power struggles and betrayal, adding depth to the romantic intrigue.

    Downton Abbey

    Set in early 20th-century England, this beloved series follows the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants. Its intricate character relationships and societal changes are reminiscent of Bridgerton’s charm.

    Reign

    A drama about Mary, Queen of Scots, and her tumultuous life and reign. With its mix of romance, political intrigue, and lavish costumes, it’s a natural pick for Bridgerton fans.

    Beecham House

    Set in 18th-century India, this series follows a former soldier who establishes a grand home while navigating cultural and political challenges. Its exotic setting and intricate plotlines offer a fresh take on period drama.

    Where to watch the best shows like Bridgerton online

    The list below gives you all the options to stream these shows on OTT platforms in India. We also provide you with offers to buy and rent these TV classics.

    Read more
  • <h1>How to Watch Game of Thrones In Order: A Complete Streaming Guide</h1>

    How to Watch Game of Thrones In Order: A Complete Streaming Guide

    Game of Thrones had a successful run with eight seasons of glorious battles, royal conspiracies, and journeys across the Seven Kingdoms. Many shows like Game of Thrones have followed this HBO classic but it still stands out of all other fantasy epics. The world of Game of Thrones is so expansive that it is easy to imagine sequels, prequels, and spinoffs.

    Read on to discover how you can embark on a journey through the world of author George R.R. Martin’s words, translated to the screen with majestic glory. Our guide shows you how and where you can watch Game of Thrones in the correct order and lets you know where you can stream the shows in India!

    How to watch Game of Thrones in chronological order

    While Game of Thrones establishes enough lore to attract audiences who haven’t even read the original books, House of the Dragon is the place to start if you want to follow the timeline.

    The only issue is that House of the Dragon is still an ongoing series (currently in its second season). So, for those who are eager to watch what happens after the current HBO series, it would make sense to dive right into Game of Thrones first.

    Game of Thrones is set in the fantasy realm of Westeros and deals with the individual motivations of several memorable characters like Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Arya Stark, and Tyrion Lannister. All these characters are connected with a rivalry between different royal houses (Targaryen, Lannister, Stark and many more), all of whom are after the coveted Iron Throne.

    While the first few seasons stuck closely to George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” novels, the final seasons stuck to an original storyline. This is because Martin himself has never concluded the book series.

    As for House of the Dragon, the prequel series is set nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones. There are no common characters between the series but the royal houses like Targaryen and creatures like the fire-breathing dragons can be found again. The series is inspired by Fire & Blood, George R.R. Martin’s prequel novel that explores the history of the Targaryens.

    While House of the Dragon hasn’t finished yet, there are many more Game of Thrones spin-offs rumoured to air in the future. The possibilities are endless given the rich and diverse world of the novels.

    Where to watch all of Game of Thrones online

    The list below shows you how you can watch Game of Thrones and its prequel series in order of their release date. We also provide you with all the information you need to stream, buy or rent these shows in India.

    Read more
  • <h1>10 Best Shows To Watch If You Liked Kota Factory (and Where to Stream Them)</h1>

    10 Best Shows To Watch If You Liked Kota Factory (and Where to Stream Them)

    The latest season of Kota Factory is out on Netflix. The black-and-white coming-of-age drama series follows the struggles of engineering students as they struggle to pass the extremely difficult JEE exam. Teenage experiences meet academic pressure in this eye-opening show that has garnered a cult status in India.

    If you are caught up with Kota Factory and wish to watch more shows like it, our guide offers you many other options streaming in India!

    Laakhon Mei Ek

    Laakhon Mei Ek is an anthology series developed by stand-up comedian Biswa Kalyanrath. The first season revolves around an engineering student who wishes to give up his IIT dreams and become an Internet sensation instead. Much like Kota Factory, the series touches upon societal pressures and overbearing exams on everyday teenagers.

    Panchayat

    Kota Factory stars Jitendra Kumar as the friendly and caring physics teacher Jeetu “Bhaiya”. A regular on many shows created by The Viral Fever (the collective also behind Kota Factory), Kumar similarly starred in the TVF-created Prime original Panchayat.

    A cult show in its own regard, Panchayat stars him as a frustrated government employee who is transferred to a rural village in the middle of nowhere. Heartwarming social comedy follows. If you’re a fan of this show, be sure to also check out our guide on ten more shows like Panchayat to watch!

    Yeh Meri Family

    If you need a relatively light-hearted show to watch after the hard-hitting melodrama of Kota Factory, Yeh Meri Family will make for an entertaining watch. Set in the 1990s, this TVF show revolves around a dreamy teenager who navigates his life in a changing era, with his average middle-class family by his side.

    Aspirants

    Aspirants is another popular TVF show that covers similar struggles of Kota Factory characters but in the equally competitive world of the UPSC exam. Considered to be one of the toughest exams in the world, this test for the next generation of Indian bureaucrats is one that can test all mental limits of an aspirant.

    Flames

    This coming-of-age series centers on two teenage students navigating their first love while dealing with academic pressures. Its heartfelt portrayal of young romance and student life will resonate with Kota Factory fans.

    Pitchers

    Following four friends who leave their jobs to start a startup, Pitchers delves into the challenges and camaraderie of entrepreneurship. Its focus on ambition and friendship makes it a compelling watch for those who enjoyed the team dynamics in Kota Factory.

    Hostel Daze

    This comedy-drama series captures the chaotic and humorous life of engineering students living in a hostel. Its realistic depiction of college life and friendships offers a lighthearted yet relatable experience for fans of Kota Factory.

    Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream

    This documentary series provides an in-depth look at the lives of students at IIT Kharagpur, one of India's premier engineering institutes. Its exploration of academic pressure and student aspirations offers a real-life counterpart to the fictional Kota Factory.

    Engineering Girls

    This series follows three female engineering students as they navigate college life, friendships, and career aspirations. Its focus on the challenges and triumphs of engineering students provides a fresh perspective for those who enjoyed Kota Factory.

    ImMature

    This coming-of-age series chronicles the lives of three friends during their final years of school. With its blend of humor, romance, and the trials of teenage life, it offers a relatable and entertaining narrative for fans of Kota Factory.

    Where can you watch the best shows like Kota Factory online?

    The list below shows you all the streaming platforms where you can watch, buy or rent these shows in India. You can also find any available offers to watch these series online for free.

    Read more
  • <h1>Every Shoojit Sircar Movie Ranked and Where to Watch Them</h1>

    Every Shoojit Sircar Movie Ranked and Where to Watch Them

    The man behind feel-good comedies like Piku and Vicky Donor can also direct intense thrillers like Madras Cafe and Sardar Udham. That’s the impressive range of director Shoojit Sircar. If you are a fan of the Bollywood filmmaker, our guide shows you how and where you can stream all movies from Shoojit Sircar.

    Which Shoojit Sircar movies should I watch first?

    When Shoojit Sircar directs dramas, he can explore some heavy themes. So, it’s best to start off on a lighter note with comedies like Vicky Donor and Piku. Even though his debut film was the war romance Yahaan, Sircar’s breakout hit was Vicky Donor. Marking the acting debut of Ayushman Khurrana, this comedy revolved around a sperm donor in Delhi. The film touched upon a topic that was otherwise considered to be taboo in Hindi cinema, and turned out to be an unexpected box office hit.

    Vicky Donor was notably written by Juhi Chaturvedi who also served as the screenwriter for every other Shoojit Sircar film (except Sardar Udham). Piku is another delightful collaboration between Sircar and Chaturvedi that starred Deepika Padukone as the titular character along with Amitabh Bachchan and the late Irrfan Khan. The road movie is essentially a father-daughter bonding tale between Padukone and Bachchan’s characters. Piku won a slew of awards at the Filmfare and National Awards.

    Some of Sircar’s movies can also be ahead of their times. The best example of this is perhaps October. The Varun Dhawan-led tragedy follows a hotel staffer who grieves for a colleague after she falls into a coma. The entire film explores trauma and loss from an extremely realistic perspective, devoid of any forced melodrama. While the film drew immense critical acclaim, October flopped at the box office. However, it has gradually found new life as a cult classic.

    Sircar has also offered some memorable political thrillers to watch. The first one is Madras Cafe, a nail biting drama set around the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Vicky Donor producer John Abraham offers a career-best performance as an intelligence operative who uncovers the assassination conspiracy.

    The COVID pandemic also saw a direct-to-streaming release of the Vicky Kaushal period drama Sardar Udham. Set during the years of the Indian freedom struggle, the biopic narrates the tale of the titular freedom fighter who orchestrated a plan to avenge the brutal Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (a tragic event that saw the British killing hundreds of Indian civilians).

    Why is Piku the best Shoojit Sircar movie to watch?

    Piku is that breezy family-friendly comedy that can be enjoyed with multiple rewatchings. Amitabh Bachchan plays a chronically-constipated 70-year-old while Deepika Padukone stars as his strong-willed daughter. As they both embark on an unforgettable road trip, the ups and downs of their bond are explored. Hilarious with the childlike toilet humour and heartwarming with its exploration of familial themes, Piku is a complete package.

    Where can I watch the best Shoojit Sircar movies online?

    The list below gives you all the details you need to watch Shoojit Sircar’s movies on streaming platforms in India. We also provide you information to buy or rent them online.

    Read more
  • <h1>10 Best Movies To Watch If You Love The Harry Potter Movies (and Where to Stream Them)</h1>

    10 Best Movies To Watch If You Love The Harry Potter Movies (and Where to Stream Them)

    The Harry Potter movies have enchanted audiences with its magical world, memorable characters, and epic battles of good versus evil. If you're longing for more fantastical adventures and magical tales, here are ten movies that will keep the magic alive. Scroll below to check out all the places where you can stream these movies after your Harry Potter binge. 

    1.  Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

    Return to the Wizarding World with this prequel series that explores the adventures of Newt Scamander. Set decades before Harry Potter, it delves into magical creatures and the dark rise of Gellert Grindelwald.

    2. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

    Step into the wardrobe and enter the magical land of Narnia, where four siblings battle the White Witch with the help of Aslan, the great lion. Its epic fantasy and coming-of-age themes echo the spirit of Harry Potter.

    3. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

    Join Percy Jackson as he discovers he's a demigod and embarks on a quest to prevent a war among the Greek gods. The film's mix of mythology and adventure makes it a thrilling follow-up for Harry Potter fans.

    4. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

    This biographical parody showcases Daniel Radcliffe’s impressive range in his post-Harry Potter career. Radcliffe stars as the iconic musician "Weird Al" Yankovic, adding a unique twist to his filmography.

    5. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

    This modern-day fantasy follows a young man who discovers he's the apprentice to a powerful sorcerer. With its magical elements and mentor-student relationship, it resonates with the Harry Potter series.

    6. Matilda

    Adapted from Roald Dahl’s beloved book, this film tells the story of an extraordinary girl with telekinetic powers. Matilda’s struggles as an orphan and her accidental magical powers will remind viewers of Harry Potter's journey.

    7. Stardust

    In this fantasy adventure based on Neil Gaiman’s classic novel, a young man ventures into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star for his beloved, only to discover the star is a living woman. Its enchanting tale and magical world will captivate Harry Potter fans.

    8. Doctor Strange

    One of the best Marvel movies, Doctor Strange follows a brilliant but arrogant surgeon who becomes a master of the mystical arts. Its stunning visuals and exploration of magic make it a thrilling watch for fans of the wizarding world.

    9. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

    Join Frodo Baggins as he sets out on an epic journey to destroy the One Ring. Its rich fantasy world, heroic quests, and battle against evil provide a grand adventure for those who loved a franchise like Harry Potter.

    10. The Legend of Tarzan

    Directed by David Yates, who helmed several Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies, this film follows Tarzan as he returns to the jungle to save his home. Its adventurous spirit and Yates’ direction offer an action-heavy reimagining of the titular character.

    Where can you watch movies like Harry Potter online? 

    These films offer a blend of magic, adventure, and fantasy that will keep the enchantment alive for Harry Potter enthusiasts. The list below shows you how you can watch, buy or rent these movies in India. Happy streaming!

    Read more