Pharma (TV series)

Pharma
Genre	Drama
Written by	P. R. Arun
Directed by	P. R. Arun
Starring	Nivin Pauly Rajit Kapoor Narain Shruti Ramachandran Veena Nandakumar
Music by	Abjaksh. S (Original Background Score& Music Composer) Jakes Bejoy (credited for "Music Supervisor")
Country of origin	India
Original language	Malayalam
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	8
Production
Producer	Krishnan Sethukumar
Cinematography	Abhinandan Ramanujam
Editor	Sreejith Sarang
Production company	Movie Mill
Original release
Network	JioHotstar
Release	27 November 2024 (2024-11-27) (IFFI) 19 December 2025 (2025-12-19) (JioHotstar)

Pharma is an Indian Malayalam-language drama streaming television series directed by P. R. Arun. ^{[1] [2]} It stars Nivin Pauly and Rajit Kapur in lead roles. ^[3] The series is produced by Krishnan Sethukumar under the banner Movie Mill. ^{[4] [5]} The series is based on true incidents. ^[6]

The series premiered in 55th International Film Festival of India on 27 November 2024. ^{[7] [8]} The series released on 19 December 2025 in JioHotstar. ^{[9] [10]}

Synopsis

The story centers on K.P. Vinod, a young, middle-class medical representative who enters the highly competitive pharmaceutical industry to secure a stable future. At first, he works hard to meet sales targets and climb the corporate ladder by promoting a new drug — but things take a dark turn when he discovers the medication’s dangerous side effects on patients.

As Vinod learns more, he becomes increasingly conflicted between corporate ambitions and his moral conscience. Realizing that the drug he’s been selling is harming people, he decides to take a stand against unethical practices in the pharmaceutical industry — fighting against powerful companies, systemic corruption, and the very structure that rewarded his earlier success.

The series explores ethical dilemmas, corporate greed, the impact of harmful drugs on society, and one man’s struggle to do what’s right despite overwhelming odds. ^[11]

Cast

• Nivin Pauly as K.P. Vinod, former medical representative at "RX Life Healthcare" and later CEO of "Zaathi" ^[12]
• Rajit Kapur ^[12] as Dr. Rajeev Rao, one of the founders of "Zaathi"
• Narain as Dr. Vijay, Dr. Janaki's husband ^[13]
• Shruti Ramachandran ^[13] as Dr Janaki, Dr. Vijay's wife
• Veena Nandakumar ^[13] as Nanda, Vinod's ex-girlfriend
• Muthumani ^[12] as Jasmine, Vinod's senior at RX Life Healthcare
• Binu Pappu ^[13] as Alex, Vinod's former mentor at RX Life Healthcare
• Nikhil Ramachandran ^[13]
• Saafboi (Safwan) as Mashood, medical representative at "RX Life Healthcare" and junior to Vinod
• Sruthy Jayan as Nirmala, Vinod's wife
• Aalekh Kapoor as Aravind Subramaniam, CEO of RX Life Healthcare
• Aswathy Manoharan as Savithri, a nurse
• Siddharth as Kaachi
• Sandhya Manoj as Judge

Production

The production of the series started from 18 October 2023. ^{[14] [15]} It wrapped up on 8 April 2024. ^[16]

Reception

Pharma received mixed to positive reviews from critics. The Week noted the series as "Nivin Pauly returns to form in his first web series". ^[17] India Today termed the series a "delightful thriller". ^[18] OTTPlay wrote that the series makes viewers "Nivin Pauly-PR Arun’s series will make you ponder before you pop a pill next time". ^[19] The Times of India stated that "Nivin Pauly’s medical drama thrills with its novelty and gripping story" ^[20] The Hollywood Reporter wrote that "Earnest Nivin Pauly in a Medico-Thriller that requires patience". ^[21]

References

1. "Exclusive-Breaking News: Nivin Pauly To Debut In Web Series, Pharma". The Times Of India. 18 October 2023.
2. "Nivin Pauly To Make His OTT Debut With This Disney+Hotstar Web Series". News18 . 20 October 2023.
3. "Nivin Pauly to make his web series debut with Disney+ Hotstar's Pharma". The Hindu. 18 October 2023.
4. "Malayalam star Nivin Pauly gears up for OTT debut with web series 'Pharma'". Economic Times. 23 May 2024.
5. "New on Disney+ Hotstar in June: 'The Bear' Season 3, 'Gunaah', 'The Acolyte', and more". The Hindu. 31 May 2024.
6. "Nivin Pauly to make web series debut in Disney+ Hotstar's 'Pharma'". The Hindu. 18 October 2023.
7. "Nivin Pauly's web series 'Pharma' to premiere at IFFI". The South First. 26 November 2024.
8. "Makers of Nivin Pauly's web series debut Pharma release new posters". Cinema Express. 26 November 2024.
9. "Disney+ Hotstar's Pharma to mark Nivin Pauly's web series debut, set to team up with PR Arun and Rajit Kapur". OTTPlay. 18 October 2023.
10. "Malayalam web series 'Pharma' starring Nivin Pauly to start streaming on this date: Know when and where to watch". Mathrubhumi. 5 December 2025.
11. "Pharma plot revealed: Nivin Pauly's web series to be screened at 55th IFFI; major updates out". OTTPlay. 18 October 2023.
12. "ഫാർമ; നിവിൻ പോളി നായകനായെത്തുന്ന വെബ് സീരിസ് വരുന്നു". Manorama Online. 18 October 2023.
13. "Narain, Shruti Ramachandran and Veena Nandakumar join Nivin Pauly in Pharma". Cinema Express. 19 October 2023.
14. "Nivin Pauly to make his web series debut with 'Pharma' opposite Rajit Kapur". Onmanorama. 18 October 2023.
15. "Nivin Pauly set for OTT debut with Disney+ Hotstar series Pharma". The Indian Express. 18 October 2023.
16. "Nivin Pauly Starrer 'Pharma' Wraps Up Shoot". The Times Of India. 8 April 2024.
17. "Pharma review: Nivin Pauly returns to form in his first web series". The Week. 18 December 2025.
18. "Pharma review: Nivin Pauly's OTT debut is a delightful thriller". India Today. 19 December 2025.
19. "Pharma review: This series will make you ponder before you pop a pill next time". OTTplay.
20. "Pharma review: Nivin Pauly's medical drama thrills with its novelty and gripping story". The Times of India.
21. "'Pharma' Series Review: Earnest Nivin Pauly In A Medico-Thriller That Requires Patience". Hollywood Reporter India.

External links

Pharma at IMDb