Imli is an Ullu Original Hindi web series released in 2023. It falls broadly in the drama / bold / adult-genre bracket, combining ambition, betrayal, and moral dilemmas in the world of showbiz and exploitation. The show revolves around a young woman who moves to a rural area, aspires to become a dancer / actress, and encounters those who exploit her dreams. According to OTTPlay, Imli “follows the story of a young girl who comes to the village to become a dancer … she has a bucket load of ambitions … taking advantage of this, several men sleep with her but fail to keep their promise to launch her.”
Below is an at-a-glance overview, followed by deeper sections on cast & crew, timeline, narrative, reception, and more.
Overview Table
Item | Detail |
Title | Imli |
Language | Hindi |
Genre / Type | Drama / Bold / Adult-content |
Platform / Original | Ullu Original |
Number of Seasons / Episodes | 1 season (as per current public data) |
Production Type | Web series (OTT) |
Key Cast | Nehal Vadoliya, Basant Kumar, Vivek Tripathi, Rajesh Jaiswar |
Director / Writer | (Not clearly public) — credits in IMDb full crew page |
Story / Premise | A young woman with dreams of dancing / acting comes to village, is exploited by men promising opportunities |
Release Year | 2023 |
Content Rating | 18+ (adult / bold drama) |
Cast, Director & Production Team
Cast & Characters
From the IMDb full credits page for Imli, here are key cast and their roles:
- Nehal Vadoliya as Imli — the protagonist, a young woman with dancing / acting aspirations
- Basant Kumar as Raju
- Vivek Tripathi as Chandan
- Rajesh Jaiswar as Gulaab Chacha
- Sanjay Pours — also credited in cast list
Other cast listings (e.g. in Kinorium) confirm these names and roles: Nehal Vadoliya (Imli), Basant Kumar (Raju), Vivek Tripathi (Chandan), Rajesh Jaiswar, etc.
The series database Wikibiodata also lists these names under lead cast: Nehal Vadoliya, Basant Kumar, Vivek Tripathi, Rajesh Jaiswar.
While these are the major credited cast members, in the series there would likely be supporting actors, extras, and minor characters whose credits might appear in the full end credits but not in widely published listings.
Director, Writers & Crew
Unlike some big productions, Imli’s public listings do not clearly advertise a director or writing team in many of the accessible sources. The IMDb full credits page (which you referenced) is the primary authority.
Because many smaller web / OTT projects (especially with bold / niche content) have limited publicity around crew, these gaps are not uncommon.
However, the broad production credit is that Imli is an Ullu Original — meaning the show is produced / commissioned by Ullu’s in-house or associated teams.
In many similar OTT productions, roles like director, cinematographer, editor, writer, art director, music / background score, etc., are credited in the show’s closing credits on the app itself — but may not be fully indexed in external databases.
Thus, we know with confidence:
- The cast (as above)
- The platform (Ullu)
- The story / premise (from OTTPlay)
- But the precise director & writing credits — not fully public at the time of writing.
Release Timeline & Availability
Announcement & Marketing
- Imli was marketed via OTTPlay’s show page, describing it as an Ullu original with bold and dramatic themes.
- The promotional summaries emphasize the aspirational but exploitative journey of the protagonist.
- Trailers, posters, and show pages likely preceded the release (though specific trailer dates are not widely documented in external media).
Release & Streaming
- The show was released in 2023 (per OTTPlay listing).
- As an Ullu Original, the show is (or was) available for streaming exclusively on Ullu.
- The show page on OTTPlay also lists a rating (7.1) and warns the show is for 18+ audiences.
Because Ullu is a subscription / OTT platform, viewers must have access to Ullu (or possibly via partner aggregators, depending on regional licensing) to view Imli legally.
Episode Format & Timing
- The show metadata in OTTPlay suggests a single season with multiple episodes.
- No clear public data is available about how many episodes, their individual durations, or drop schedule (all episodes at once, weekly, etc.).
- Given the genre and typical web series patterns in India, it is plausible the episodes are ~ 20-40 minutes each, but that is speculative in absence of hard confirmation.
Plot, Themes & Narrative Structure
Premise & Central Conflict
As summarized on OTTPlay:
Imli is an ULLU original that follows the story of a young girl who comes to the village to become a dancer. She has a bucket load of ambitions and dreams … Taking advantage of this, several men sleep with her but fail to keep their promise to launch her. She finally meets a reliable man who promises to launch her with a South Indian star, however, she gets very apprehensive. Does she take the plunge?
So the core arcs revolve around:
- The protagonist’s aspirations (dance, acting)
- The exploitation of her ambitions by unscrupulous people who make false promises
- Betrayal, heartbreak, and moral quandaries
- The tension of whether to trust a man who offers a stepping stone, and the risks involved
Character Journeys & Conflict
- Imli (the protagonist) is positioned as someone with talent, dreams, and vulnerability — her journey is fraught with external and internal conflicts.
- Raju, Chandan, Gulaab Chacha are probable antagonists or supporting roles who either exploit, help, or oppose her path.
- The show possibly uses a mixture of emotional drama and moral conflict: when aspiration collides with greed and deceit.
- The structural tension is likely built around sequential betrayals and revelations, leading Imli to a point of reckoning: should she sacrifice her dignity, or fight back?
Themes & Motifs
Several themes can be inferred:
- Ambition vs Exploitation
The show explores the dark side of the showbiz world where aspirants are often preyed upon by those in power. - Promise and Deception
Broken promises are central — men using false hope to gain leverage. - Trust & Betrayal
Central relationships likely oscillate between trust and betrayal, keeping viewers in suspense. - Moral Compromise & Agency
The protagonist may be forced into moral compromises; the question becomes — how much will she endure, and when will she fight back? - Power Dynamics / Gendered Vulnerability
The story likely highlights how women’s ambitions are vulnerable to patriarchal forces, especially in settings where power imbalance is stark.
Narrative Structure (Possible)
Though the detailed episode structure is not publicly documented, the show may adopt:
- A linear progression: introduction of Imli, her journey to the village, early betrayals, emotional fallout, new hope, final confrontation
- Use of flashbacks or backstory to reveal how characters crossed paths
- Cliffhangers at episode ends (common in web series)
- Escalating stakes: with each betrayal, Imli’s trust gets eroded, pushing toward a climax where she must make a decisive choice
Reception, Strengths & Critiques
Audience Response
- The show’s rating (7.1) on OTTPlay suggests a moderately positive reception by viewers.
- Because the show deals with bold themes, it likely generated discussion (both positive and negative) among its target audience.
Strengths & Potential
- Strong Central Premise
The tension between aspiration and exploitation provides fertile ground for drama. - Relatable Dreams & Struggles
Many aspirants in the entertainment / performing arts space face similar challenges; that connection can drive audience empathy. - Compact Format
Being a single season / limited series (so far) helps maintain focus, reduces filler content. - Emotional Stakes
If written well, Imli’s emotional arc will be compelling — the hurt, resilience, and growth can resonate. - Bold / Adult Theme Appeal
For audiences seeking rawer, more unfiltered narratives, Imli’s thematic boldness may be a draw.
Critiques & Limitations
- Risk of Exploitation / Sensationalism
Because the show builds on themes of sexual exploitation, there is a risk it crosses into sensationalism rather than meaningful critique. - Lack of Public Crew Credit
The absence of prominent director / writer credits in external databases may limit critical discussion or legitimacy in industry circles. - Character Depth
The danger is that supporting characters may remain one-dimensional (villains or helpers) with limited nuance. - Pacing Issues
If too many plot twists or betrayals are packed in, the narrative could feel rushed or emotionally jarring. - Limited Awareness / Reach
As a niche / platform-specific series, Imli may not have reached mainstream visibility or critical coverage, which constrains its wider impact.
Future Prospects & What to Watch For
- If Imli performs well for Ullu (viewership, engagement), there may be future seasons, extensions, or spin-offs exploring secondary characters’ backstories or fates.
- Viewers and critics will watch whether the show handles sensitive themes responsibly — especially sexual exploitation — with empathy, depth, and agency rather than reducing characters to victims.
- Expanded publicity, interviews, and crew credits may emerge over time, giving more insight into directors, writers, editors, cinematographers.
- Comparisons with similar Ullu / OTT content in the “bold / dramatic” genre will emerge, influencing how Imli is judged in its niche.
Conclusion
Imli is an ambitious, emotionally intense web series that casts light on the darker undercurrents behind dreams of stardom. Though publicly available information is limited—especially around crew credits—the cast and premise are clear enough to signal its motivations. The show’s success will depend heavily on how sensitively it handles its bold themes, how deeply it develops its protagonist, and whether it avoids sensationalism in favor of genuine insight.