Best OTT Shows in India: Why The White Lotus Season 3 Failed to Impress Viewers

In the global world of OTT entertainment, The White Lotus stands out. It is an American black comedy-drama created by Mike White. The show has won 15 Emmy Awards and is known for its smart social commentary. Each season takes place at a fictional luxury hotel, with Season 3 set in Thailand.

But despite this global success, The White Lotus Season 3 did not perform well in India. According to viewership data, it missed its Indian target by 2.4 million views. So why do some international hits fail to click with Indian OTT viewers?

Let’s explore this by comparing The White Lotus with Indian shows like Dupahiya, Panchayat, and Paatal Lok—all of which topped charts and gained wide appreciation.

Indian Shows Offer Cultural Connection

One key reason for the success of Indian series is cultural relevance. Shows like Panchayat, Dupahiya, and Paatal Lok speak directly to Indian viewers.

Panchayat is a comedy-drama by TVF that follows the life of an urban graduate who becomes a panchayat secretary in a village. It stars Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, and Raghubir Yadav. The series presents simple village life and real issues with humour and heart. Its Season 4 is set to release in July 2025. Dupahiya is a recent comedy show on Amazon Prime Video, starring Gajraj Rao and Renuka Shahane. The story is about a missing dowry scooter in a crime-free village. The light humour and rural setting made it an instant hit.

Paatal Lok, a crime thriller created by Sudip Sharma, focuses on the dark underworld of crime and politics. The show became popular for its gritty storytelling and strong performances. In contrast, The White Lotus explores problems of rich foreigners at a resort. These themes feel distant for many Indian viewers, especially when they look for shows they can emotionally connect with.

Language and Local Emotion Matter

Language is another major factor. According to Ormax Media, 85% of Indian OTT viewers prefer to watch content in local languages. Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Bengali content tops the charts. While The White Lotus is available with dubbing and subtitles, it often fails to deliver the emotional depth that Indian dialogues offer. Viewers love to see and hear characters speak their language, feel their joys, and face their problems. This is exactly why Panchayat or Dupahiya feel more relatable. Whether it’s a light joke or a village dispute, viewers connect instantly.

Weak Promotion in India

A big problem with The White Lotus Season 3 was the lack of buzz. Shows like Panchayat and Mirzapur receive heavy promotions in India—social media campaigns, trailers, behind-the-scenes clips, and actor interviews. Dupahiya, despite being a smaller show, had trailers trending on YouTube and Instagram reels from the cast.

But The White Lotus Season 3 quietly released with little awareness. Many Indian viewers didn’t even know the new season was out. Without local promotion, international shows struggle to break through the clutter of Indian content.

Indian Viewers Love Emotion and Drama

Indian audiences love emotions, relatable drama, and thrillers. That’s why shows like Mirzapur, Scam 1992, Sacred Games, and Kota Factory became cult favourites. They mix action with real stories and memorable characters. Even comedies like The Great Indian Kapil Show continue to top the charts because they offer laughter and family-friendly content.

According to JustWatch, Indian viewers mostly choose crime, romance, or drama over slow-paced satire like The White Lotus. Experts from Ormax also say that international shows need more “mass connect” to succeed in India.

Final Verdict

The White Lotus Season 3 might be a global hit, but it missed the mark in India. The show didn’t offer the local emotion, thrill, or cultural relevance Indian viewers love.

On the other hand, Indian shows like Dupahiya, Panchayat, and Paatal Lok continue to lead the charts by staying rooted in Indian stories and characters. Whether it’s a stolen scooter, village politics, or a crime investigation, these shows prove that real, relatable storytelling still wins in India. For global shows to succeed here, they’ll need more than awards—they’ll need to win Indian hearts.