Hindi ZEE5 has announced its next original web series, Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz, a six-episode family drama set in Punjab that explores the evolving relationship between tradition and individual aspiration. The series stars Suvinder Vicky and Mihir Ahuja as a father–son duo and is produced by Rusk Media, with direction by Ameet Guptha.

ZEE5 announces Punjab-set series Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz, story tackles Mihir Ahuja’s passion towards football

Scheduled to premiere soon on Hindi ZEE5, Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz is rooted in the cultural and spiritual milieu of Punjab. The narrative centres on Ghuppi, a stammering teenager with a deep passion for football, and his father, a respected Ragi singer who hopes his son will continue the family’s sacred musical legacy. The contrast between the father’s devotion to inherited tradition and the son’s search for his own path forms the emotional core of the series.

Alongside Vicky and Ahuja, the cast includes Mahi Raj and Taranjit Kaur, who play Ghuppi’s sister and mother. Together, the family inhabits a close-knit household shaped by faith, ritual, and long-held expectations. Rather than positioning the conflict as overt rebellion, the series focuses on quieter tensions, unspoken fears, internalised pressure, and the struggle to articulate one’s identity within a deeply traditional setting.

Beyond the central father–son dynamic, the show also addresses themes of vulnerability and self-expression. Ghuppi’s stammer becomes both a literal and symbolic challenge as he navigates a world defined by sacred sound and disciplined musical practice. His journey is not only about choosing football over music, but also about finding confidence and a sense of voice in an environment where legacy carries significant emotional weight.

Commenting on the announcement, Kaveri Das, Chief Channel Officer &TV and Business Head – Hindi ZEE5, said the series reflects the platform’s focus on grounded, family-oriented storytelling. She noted that Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz examines “the emotional tensions that arise when traditions intersect with a new generation’s desire to choose its own path,” adding that its Punjabi setting lends the narrative a sense of cultural specificity and realism.

Producer Mayank Yadav of Rusk Media described the project as an attempt to tell a story that feels “lived-in and honest.” He highlighted the world of Ragi singing and the pressures of legacy as a backdrop for a familiar family experience, where personal dreams often unfold quietly within the framework of expectation and duty.

Directed by Ameet Guptha, known for his work on ZEE5’s Bakaiti, Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz continues the platform’s slate of character-driven dramas. With its focus on everyday conflicts within a culturally specific setting, the series aims to present a reflective look at family, faith, and the choices that shape individual identity.

Shabad – Reet Aur Riwaaz will stream exclusively on Hindi ZEE5.

Tags : A ZEE5 Original, Ameet Guptha, Features, Football, Mihir Ahuja, OTT, OTT Platform, Reet Aur Riwaaz, Shabad, Sports, Taranjit Kaur, Web Series