10 Best Documentaries of 2022 on OTT: Gandhada Gudi, Sidney, Harry & Meghan, and more

We Need to Talk About Cosby, Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, My Daughter Joined a Cult and The Andy Warhol Diaries are some of the other documentaries released in 2022 that you must watch

Gandhada Gudi, Sidney and Harry & Meghan

The year 2022 offered a slew of options for those who wanted to get a closer, more intimate look at the lives of public figures, some who are loved and loathed in equal measure. While one was spoilt for choice as far as documentaries on OTT platforms go, we have listed the 10 best documentaries of 2022 that you simply cannot afford to miss out on.

1) Gandhada Gudi (Kannada): The adventure documentary, starring late actor Puneeth Rajkumar, focuses on the wildlife and ecosystem of Karnataka, and its natural beauty. Puneeth Rajkumar was known to be an avid travel and adventure buff. He’d travelled the world, but was also looking forward to exploring Karnataka’s rich biodiversity, for which he teamed up with award-winning wildlife filmmaker Amoghavarsha. Together, they took off on a journey across the length and breadth of the state, the end result of which is a visual spectacle of hidden gems.

Watch it for: Gandhada Gudi is the greatest gift that Puneeth Rajkumar could have given his fans. It more than fulfils its purpose of giving them a good time with the man they adore, while also driving home the intention behind the film – conservation. This is a must-watch not only if you are a Puneeth Rajkumar fan.

OTTplay rating: 9.6/10

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

2) We Need to Talk About Cosby (English): The mini-series explores the complexities and controversies surrounding disgraced comedian Bill Cosby. Writers, journalists, commentators and survivors of the alleged sexual attacks by Bill Cosby feature in the documentary. Once revered as one of the finest comedians in America, the four-part mini-series explores Cosby’s fall from grace as a pioneer who broke through racial barriers to an alleged sexual predator.

Watch it for: The mini-series gives an insight into a rather messy situation, but deals with it in a sensitive manner. While there is an acknowledgement of the positive ways in which Cosby affected people’s lives, the focus remains on how he has irreparably scarred his alleged victim. This documentary is unique in that it does not have the familiar faces that one expects to see in a feature about a celebrity of Cosby’s stature.

OTTplay rating: 8/10

Where to watch: Voot

3) Sidney (English): Sidney Poitier, one of the most gifted and talented actors of all times, set a new standard for African American actors in Hollywood as a leading man, becoming the first one to win the Academy Award. He was also a diplomat, a key figure in the civil rights movement, and directed and produced successful films. The documentary shows the life and career of Sidney Poitier in his own words, through an Oprah Winfrey interview (who is also the producer), and in the words of his family and friends.

Watch it for: It has several appearances and testimonials from Poitier, his family, co-stars, friends and other luminaries, who speak about Poitier with love and affection. The documentary is a fitting tribute to the trail-blazing figure.

OTTplay rating: 7.5/10

Where to watch: Apply TV+

4) Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy (English): The film shows how rapper Kanye West became who he is. It is split into three parts – Vision (his days of struggle), Purpose (Kanye on the rise and the car crash, through which he turned pain into success), and Awakening (winning many awards and the interplay of life, death and fame). Through the three parts, we get to see a rapper and his director creating history, record labels being reluctant to commit to a future with Kanye, and a glimpse into the rapper’s friendship with Jay Z and Pharrell Williams. Viewers get to see many of Kanye’s tough times, such as when he shattered his jaw after a car accident, and how he turned that incident to his benefit, writing and recording his debut single ‘Through The Wire’ with his mouth wired shut.

Watch it for: The trilogy gives an absorbing portrait of Kanye's life and career, which viewers get through an almost no-holds-barred access to the talented and often controversial man himself.

OTTplay rating: 7.9/10

Where to watch: Netflix

5) Harry & Meghan (English): In this limited series, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex talk about the other side of their well-known love story — how they started dating in secret and the problems that led to them finally leaving the institution (the British royal family). Friends, family and historians talk about the current state of the British Commonwealth and how the royal family deals with the press. Harry & Meghan is a never-before-seen glimpse at one of history's most talked-about couples.

Watch it for: Harry & Meghan is the love story that the world didn't know about, but should have. Viewers get a refreshing look at the beautiful and traumatising moments from the couple themselves. The series doesn't just tell the story of one couple's love; it also shows what our world is like and how we treat each other.

OTTplay rating: 3.5/5

Where to watch: Netflix

6) The Elephant Whisperers (Tamil): Mudumalai forest’s Bomman and Bellie have devoted their lives to care for two abandoned baby elephants — Raghu and Ammu. The documentary specially focuses on Raghu, who was severely malnourished, injured and bitten by stray dogs when he was first found. That's when Bomman stepped in to take care of him and spent almost every waking moment with the abandoned animal. Giving him apt company was Bellie, the only woman in the camp assigned on elephant duty. Together, the trio made a beautiful team and it was heartwarming to see the bond they share with each other.

Watch it for: The pace of storytelling, cinematography, editing and the background score complement each other in this delightful watch. Even if you are not a huge fan of wildlife and animals, this 41-minute documentary might tug at your heart strings and bring a tear or two to your eyes.

OTTplay rating: 3.5/5

Where to watch: Netflix

7) Downfall: The Case Against Boeing (English): There was global panic in March 2019 after two new aircraft crashed within five months, killing 346 people. The immediate corrective step was the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX passenger airliner. The US Federal Aviation Administration found evidence of similar accidents, and by March 18, 2019, all 387 aircraft were grounded.

Watch it for: After its merger with McDonnell Douglas in 1996, veteran documentarian Rory Kennedy shows how Boeing’s culture started changing from safety-first to profit-first. The documentary features Wall Street Journal airline industry specialist Andy Pasztor, who exposes everything that went wrong, by referring to several damning articles. While nothing new is revealed in this documentary, it is a scathing attack at Boeing and its management, and shows the fall from grace of America's most treasured companies.

OTTplay rating: 7.7/10

Where to watch: Netflix

8) The Janes (English): The film is about a group of women called Jane, which was an underground network for safe, affordable and illegal abortions in Chicago in the 1970s, where it was banned by the Catholic Church, the mafia, and the state. The women risked their lives to help out those in need, forming a clandestine network that used code names, blindfolds and safe houses. Police eventually arrested seven women who were part of the group. The documentary has interviews of former members of the group, who give insights into the issue of abortion in the 70s.

Watch it for: The film has several interviews that make for an interesting watch. The presentation and music is good and helps build the narration. Considering that it was released at the time when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade – which made access to abortion a federal right in the United States – makes for an insightful watch.

OTTplay rating: 7.7/10

Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar

9) My Daughter Joined a Cult (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English, Kannada and Malayalam): The three-part documentary series is based on the life of the controversial, self-proclaimed godman Swami Nithyananda. The series, which follows Nithyananda’s highs and lows, documents charges made by former devotees and recounts the life of the controversial godman, while giving a voice to those who were at the centre of it all. It has testimonials from devotees, attorneys, activists and journalists, along with personal perspectives and anecdotes from former devotees and followers.

Watch it for: The docu-series shows the highs and lows of Nithyananda's life, all the while trying to explain his vast following despite being labelled a fugitive by former followers. Through the series, one sees followers and former devotees share personal perspectives, while giving vital information that helps better understand the complete narrative, having lived the story themselves.

OTTplay rating: 7.7/10

Where to watch: Discovery+

10) The Andy Warhol Diaries (English): The six part mini-series documents the life of Andy Warhol, the king of pop art. It gives viewers an insight into Warhol’s life that is filled with art and love, showing the person behind the larger-than-life figure. Continuing its attempt to portray Warhol as a real person, it also shows the celebrated artist speak about his insecurities and pet peeves, exploring lesser-known facets of his life, such as his love life.

Watch it for: The documentary gives audiences an intimate view into Andy Warhol’s personal life, while also focusing on some of his final works and the inspirations behind them. The show is especially a treat for fans of the artist, and is the closest that one can ever get to the man behind the talent.

OTTplay rating: 7.6/10

Where to watch: Netflix

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