Horror to humour: Best Bollywood films of 2024

The year 2024 has seen a significant shift in terms of viewer choice. Tenth-pole action movies with macho men at the centre predominantly dominated 2023.

This year though there has been a clear fatigue towards the action genre. The horror space has given exciting storylines with sufficient thrills and a good dose of humour.

One of the major production houses Maddock Films scored a double whammy this year with Stree 2 and Munjya. Both these movies featured grotesque demons representing sinister thoughts.

In Stree 2 the headless demon kidnaps women with a modern outlook representing our sexist leaders. In the case of Munjya a young Brahmin boy resorts to black magic to win over a girl but this only results in self-destruction. Stree 2 and Munjya had impactful social commentary apart from the folklore touch.

Another film of the same genre is Anees Bazmee’s Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, a horror thriller/comedy with an important message on inclusivity and acceptance. A poignant flashback connected to homosexuality made Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 a notch above the second part.

Queen director Vikas Bahl also made a strong comeback this year with Shaitaan, a home invasion thriller with elements of horror.

While horror films ruled the box office, there were other films that made an impact irrespective of their box office numbers like Laapataa Ladies, Srikanth, Chandu Champion, CTRL, Kill, Amar Singh Chamkila, Crew and Jigra.

Following are some of the most impactful movies of this year.

Laapataa Ladies

A still from the film Laapataa Ladies
A still from the film ‘Laapataa Ladies’. (X)

Kiran Rao’s second directorial venture, Laapataa Ladies, is a well-crafted feminist tale that effectively uses humour to address serious issues. The absurd scenarios arising from the confusion surrounding the same ghoonghat have a Shakespearean touch.

The film tackles important themes such as the necessity of education, the burdensome customs imposed on women, and the need for self-reliance. The latter is explored through the character of Manju Maai, a feisty and independent older woman played delightfully by Chhaya Kadam.

A major highlight of Laapataa Ladies is Ravi Kishan’s incredible comic timing. As a bribe-loving cop with a conscience, he left a strong impact with his performance. Newcomers Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Rana, and Sparsh Srivastava were also a joy to watch.

Stree 2

A poster of the film Stree 2
A poster of the film ‘Stree 2’. (X)

Aamir Kaushik’s follow-up to Stree (2018) was a rollicking sequel filled with equal parts scares and laughs. The film also featured impactful social commentary through the character of Sarkate, a headless demon. This grotesque creature kidnaps women with a modern outlook, such as those with big dreams or who marry outside their caste. Sarkate had previously burned Stree and her lover alive.

A key moment in the movie shows all the men in Chanderi becoming alpha males due to Sarkate’s spell. In the pre-climax, the women of Chanderi break out in unison, fully aware of the dangers.

What also made Stree 2 a blockbuster sequel was the camaraderie between Rajkummar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Aaparshakti Khurrana, and Pankaj Tripathi. Their comic timing and chemistry added depth to the film.

Apart from Stree 2, Rajkummar Rao had a remarkable year, showcasing his versatility in various roles. In Srikanth Bolla, he portrayed the visually impaired businessman with an exceptional performance, perfectly capturing the character’s mannerisms and insecurities.

In Mr and Mrs Mahi, he played Mahendra, a failed cricketer who manipulates his wife for fame. Despite Mahendra being selfish and unlikeable, Rajkummar’s layered performance made him impossible to fully hate. The film performed moderately at the box office.

Chandu Champion

Kartik Aaryan in Chandu Champion
Kartik Aaryan in ‘Chandu Champion’. (X)

Kabir Khan’s Chandu Champion took viewers on an emotional rollercoaster. Based on an incredible real-life story, the film is a must-watch tale of grit and determination.

Beyond being an underdog story, the movie addressed important themes, such as how people with disabilities seek empathy, not sympathy. It critiqued the “Bechara syndrome” and highlighted how their efforts often go unrecognized.

In the title role, Kartik Aaryan delivered a career-defining performance. Along with his impressive physical transformation, he shone in scenes portraying helplessness, frustration, resilience, and grit.

Despite sharing screen space with a strong actor like Vijay Raaz, Kartik held his own. Vijay Raaz, playing the coach and father figure, added significant emotional depth to the film.

Kartik also impressed in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, where he entertained as the fake Baba Rooh Baba, leaving viewers in fits of laughter. He also delivered a heartfelt performance in a small double role.

Kill

A still from the film Kill
A still from the film ‘Kill’. (X)

Nikhil Nagesh Bhatt’s Kill was a thrilling ride in spite of its visceral action. He elevated a standard action plot by merging the issue of class divide and blurring the lines between what we consider a hero and an anti-hero.

The humanization of dacoits particularly in the second half was very well done. On more than one occasion the armed robbers are seen venting out their vulnerabilities and fears.

The action sequences by nature are very violent with the titular character Amrit (a mighty impressive Lakshya) coming across as a bigger monster than the real armed robbers.

However, stunt directors Parvez Sheikh and Se-Yeong came up with very innovative combat sequences in confined spaces. Raghav Juyal best known for his dancing skills surprised one and all with his act of a cold-blooded villain.

CTRL (Netflix)

Ananya Pandey in CRTL
Ananya Pandey in ‘CRTL’. (X)

Vikramaditya Motwane’s CTRL, streaming on Netflix, is an engaging thriller/drama that explores the dangers of AI, including deepfakes and personal data breaches. The film raises important questions about how Gen Z increasingly relies on internet bots for genuine advice rather than consulting real people.

Ananya Panday plays the central role of Nella, a social media influencer. She and her husband, Joy (Vihaan Samrat), run a YouTube channel called NJoy. Their seemingly perfect relationship unravels, leading to a disturbing chain of events.

A key aspect of CTRL is how Motwane makes viewers reflect on the desire for validation through social media and the fine line between sharing and oversharing. These questions are raised in a thoughtful, non-preachy manner.

Ananya Panday delivers a stellar performance as Nella, perfectly capturing the character’s various shades. Special mention must also be made of Aaparshakti Khurrana, who voices the AI, adding depth to the story.

Do Patti (Netflix)

Kriti Sanon in Do Patti
Kriti Sanon in ‘Do Patti’. (X)

Shashanka Chaturvedi’s Do Patti shares some similarities with Jasmeet K Rheen’s Darlings, as both films depict women taking control of their lives when everything seems to have hit a dead end. However, Do Patti is very much its own story.

In addition to tackling domestic abuse, this Netflix film also explores sibling rivalry, post-traumatic stress, and childhood trauma. Kudos to Kriti Sanon for choosing to back such a project for her first production venture.

Kriti is outstanding, particularly in her role as the jealous twin, who eventually becomes a strong ally to her demure sister. Shaheer Sheikh, as the unpredictable husband, also gave a strong performance.

Jigra

Alia Bhatt in Jigra
Alia Bhatt in ‘Jigra’. (X)

Vasan Bala’s Jigra is a perfect blend of emotional drama and a prison break story. The film combines two distinct elements: on one hand, it tells the gritty tale of a young woman shaped by the emotional turmoil of witnessing her father jump from the roof. On the other, it explores themes of class divide and the brutalities faced by the common man in a police state.

The class divide is starkly portrayed through the way Satya’s wealthy relatives make her brother a scapegoat to protect their son, despite him being a habitual drug offender. Jigra is, for the most part, an engrossing film, and it was further enhanced by Alia Bhatt’s perfect portrayal of Satya’s tigress-like nature.

Vedang Raina, as the naïve young man caught in a complex web, also gave a strong performance. In supporting roles, both Manoj Pahwa and Rahul Ravindran made their presence strongly felt. The film features many memorable scenes, including one where Alia Bhatt’s Satya devours a large amount of food to calm her nerves.

Another impactful scene occurs when a helpless Satya asks a prison security guard if she looks sad. When he says yes, she tries to smile and asks the same question again. The sorrow in her eyes, as she struggles to stay mentally strong for her brother, was beautifully written and enacted.

The Buckingham Murders

Kareena Kapoor in The Buckingham Murders
Kareena Kapoor in ‘The Buckingham Murders’. (X)

Hansal Mehta’s The Buckingham Murders is a perfect example of a slow-burn investigative drama. While it may appear to be a police procedural on the surface, the film also delves into the lives of immigrants, communal hatred, and the struggles faced by the Queer community, among other themes.

Kareena Kapoor delivers an outstanding performance as a detective sergeant, grappling with deep emotional turmoil while investigating the case of a missing child.

In addition to these themes, Hansal Mehta also did an excellent job of addressing the changes brought about by the pandemic., both positive and negative. The film offers valuable psychological insight into the shortcomings of society. While the narrative occasionally digresses from the investigation, the conclusion more than makes up for these moments.

Apart from The Buckingham Murders, Kareena also played a hustler who is unapologetically greedy in Crew. 

(Edited by Sumavarsha)

The Buckingham Murders: A well-crafted whodunit focusing on unresolved grief and repressed anger

Hansal Mehta raises many pertinent issues through this police procedural like the plight of immigrants, communal hatred, the queer community etc. The treatment of these topics does feel rushed, nevertheless he delivers an engrossing movie aided by the brilliant Kareena Kapoor Khan

  • Starcast: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Ranveer Brar, Keith Allen and others
  • Story and screenplay: Assem Arora
  • Additional screenplay: Raghav Raj Kakker and Kashyap Kapoor
  • Director: Hansal Mehta
  • Producers: Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan
  • Music: Ketan Sodha
  • Cinematography: Emma Dalesman
  • Production Companies: Balaji Motion Pictures and Mahana Films
  • Running time: 1 hour and 50 minutes

The Buckingham Murders directed by Hansal Mehta and co-produced by Kareena Kapoor Khan perfectly fits the genre of a slow burn investigative drama. The story is set in the town of High Wycombe. High Wycombe is situated in Buckinghamshire just northwest of London. Beneath the town’s charming nature there are many secrets waiting to be unraveled. The film tapes into the underlying racial tensions echoing real life situations. In simple terms the story of The Buckingham Murders focuses on the emotional turmoil of detective Jasmeet Bhamra akka Jas (Kareena Kapoor Khan in a knockout performance). She is a witness to her son’s tragic death due to a reckless open firing incident in a foreign country. An attempt to escape from her scars results in a demotion to D S shortcut for Detective Seargent. Detective Seargent is a police rank in the UK. On her very first day of work, she reluctantly takes up the case of a missing Indian Child. It starts off as a straightforward investigation but soon a cane of secrets tumbles out. Jasmeet has huge doubts regarding the honesty of Diljeet (Ranveer Brar). Diljeet is the father of the missing child. As the plot progresses many questions crop up like why the boy is missing and who is responsible for it, running parallel to the investigation is the track of immigrants and the issue of communal violence.

Kareena Kapoor Khan in a knockout performance

A strong aspect of The Buckingham Murders is director’s exploration of unresolved grief and repressed anger. The struggles of Jass in dealing with her psychological state and how she emerges as a fighter has been well depicted. The professional and personal struggles of Jass run alongside the investigation, this enhances the drama at many places. There are occasions where we see the seniors being dismissive off her on the grounds of getting overtly involved, she is also treated in a condescending manner at work.

Stories of cops battling personal tragedies while investigating isn’t new but what makes this movie different is how the director has added the angles of Islamophobia and Homophobia among others. The communal tension between Sikhs and Muslim who form an important chunk of immigrants has been well explored too.

The movie also explores the trauma of a closeted Queer through an important character. There is an important conversation regarding this at a crucial juncture, it makes the viewers think about the plight of these people. The movie also dwells into the faulty idea of marriage where a woman is just treated as a servant with no salary.

Additionally, the movie also examines the changes brought by the pandemic. How it has influenced many aspects of our life both positively and negatively. Thankfully all these social aspects flow seamlessly rather than being force fitted. However, there are times where the viewers feel that these topics would have better off in a web series rather than a feature movie.

Just like Hansal Mehta’s previous movies here too there is ample psychological insight into the shortcomings of society. Emma Dalesman’s cinematography is top notch as well. His frames perfectly capture the eerie atmospherics.

As mentioned, in beginning the Buckingham Murders belongs to the genre of slow burn investigative dramas. This is not a thriller with twists and turns at every corner. Hansal Mehta takes his own sweet time to establish the various perspectives. At times the angle of immigrants even overpowers the mystery part of it but the conclusion more than makes up for it. It makes the viewers sit up about how this person turned out to be the real villain.

The Buckingham Murders has an equal mix of Hindi and English dialogues. This is doesn’t become jarring at any point. The English dialogues are equally poignant as the Hindi ones. Mention must also be made of Jasmeet’s wardrobe. Hansal uses the wardrobe in a smart manner to showcase the protagonist’s emotional journey. For most part of the movie Kareena is seen wearing black and dark purples. The only time the viewers see Jasmeet wearing a bright color is when she finally decides to stop running from the haunting past.

Performance wise it goes without saying that Kareena is an absolute treat to watch with her nuanced act. The actress has been aging like fine wine and this movie is the perfect testimony to it. The way she expresses emotions through subtle expressions is a treat to watch. A scene which deserves a particular mention is the one where Jass understands grief from her father’s perspective. It is highly emotional.

A scene which deserves a particular mention is the one where Jass understands grief from her father’s perspective.

The supporting cast also make their presence amply felt. Ranveer Brar deserves a special mention for the way he brings out the different nuances. Whether it is the frustration of a father whose child is missing, the false bravado of someone who is failing in business and finally a misogynist husband taking his wife for granted. Prabhleen Sandhu as the unassuming Preeti Kohli is also a delight to watch. The foreign actors like Keith Allen and Charles Craddock are also efficient in their respective parts.

The supporting cast also make their presence amply felt.

The Buckingham Murders is a skillful exploration of the complex human relationships under the guise of a police procedural. How certain social structures suffocate human beings, for fans of layered stories and Kareena Kapoor Khan this is a must watch.

Lootere: Jai Mehta makes a respectable debut in this thriller with elements of action and drama

Despite the pacing issues, good performances and the atmospherics make this action-on-the-high-seas web show worth a watch.
Lootere (Hindi), 22-03-2024, Action-Drama, 8 Episodes, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Vivek Gombler, Deepak Tijori, Rajat Kapoor, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Aamir Ali, and Amruta Khanvillkar
  • Director: Jai Mehta
  • Producer: Vishal Chaturvedi and Ruchira Janwalikar
  • Music Director: Achint Thakkar
  • Cinematography: Jall Cowasji
  • Rating: 3/5
  • Published in: Southfirst

Hansal Mehta is a filmmaker who has created a strong niche for himself with content-oriented stories both on the big screen and also the digital space.

Though he has never been part of the big commercial directors club, his name comes with a certain credibility.

Jai Mehta, son of Hansal Mehta, has a big reputation to live to. His maiden attempt at direction — Lootere web series — is noteworthy.

Sure, certain aspects need to be tighter. For instance, the Somalian backdrop could have done with more depth. But still, Jai shows his capability in how he draws some fine performances and also builds up the tension.

Synopsis

Aamir Ali in ‘Lootere’. (X)

The central plot of Lootere is a ship that is hijacked by a group of Somalian pirates.

AK Singh (Rajat Kapoor) is the captain of the ship. He has a tough task in keeping the crew united given the rising tensions among the crew.

Running parallel to this is the track of a businessman played by Vivek Gomber. His character, Vikrant Gandhi, deals in shipping companies.

Vikrant has a secret consignment in that captured ship and he tries to manipulate a big crisis in such a way that it would help him.

What follows is a roller coaster of a journey with various layers and subplots.

A visual feast

Lootere begins on a high and the screenplay starts as fast-paced. But some of the episodes feel drawn out.

Also, the scenes of Vikrant with his wife Avi (Amruta Khanvilkar) could have been fleshed out better.

Jai Mehta along with the writers could have explored the reasons behind Somalia’s very volatile environment with better depth.

However, a stand-out aspect of Lootere is the stunning cinematography. The visuals of the high seas and the action inside the ship make the viewers feel that they are also part of the action.

Additionally, the dusty bylanes of Somalia have a gritty feel.

Cinematographer Jall Coswaji deserves distinction marks for a job very well done.

Boasts brilliant performances

Vivek Gomber in ‘Lootere’. (X)

Much like the protagonists in Scam 1992 and Scam 2003 — both created by Hansal Mehta (he was also the director of the first one), here too, the show features an unlikely hero.

Vikrant Gandhi is someone who is filled with unlimited greed for power and his actions fuel the narrative.

Yes, it is hard to empathise with him, given his actions are the root cause for a lot of destruction that happens. But having said that, he does have a redemption arc too, and Vivek Gomber does a wonderful job of portraying the different shades.

The Somalian Pirates have also been crafted in a detailed manner. Each of them has a specific personality trait that makes them stand out.

A particular mention must be made of Martial Batchamen. His character, Bharkad, has been written with nuances.

He is not a template pirate leader. He is fighting his own battles while managing the group. Martial Batchamen is in excellent form.

The scenes of AK Singh trying his best to keep the spirits of the crew high while maintaining his own give the show some of its best moments.

Verdict

Watch Lootere if you are a fan of thrillers that have the subject of high jacking or if you are curious to check how Hansal Mehta’s son fares as a director.

Most Impactful Hindi Web Series Of 2023

A good thing about these web series is several of them have left a huge impression in the minds and hearts of the audiences.

In the last few years, the number of web series in Hindi has been on the rise, particularly after the advent of mainstream production houses in the OTT space.

For example, YRF Chief Aditya Chopra forayed into the digital space in 2023 with the impactful human drama The Railway Men, based on the Bhopal gas tragedy.

First-time director Shiv Rawail had a difficult subject to deal with given the sensitivity of the issue. However, the newbie more than rose to the challenge. He didn’t shy away from addressing the moral corruption within the political landscape of that period.

Zoya Akhtar, of course, created her own stamp in the OTT space with the two seasons of Made in Heaven and Dahaad.

Similarly, acclaimed director Neeraj Pandey struck gold with the web series Special OPS and The Freelancer (though he is only the creator and not the director of The Freelancer his imprint is visible).

A good thing about these web series is several of them have left a huge impression in the minds and hearts of the audiences.

Kaala Paani, directed by the duo of Sameer Saxena and Amit Golani, was a gripping dystopian drama set in the backdrop of a mysterious disease in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The show dealt with various themes like environmental exploitation and the harmonious relationship that indigenous people share with nature. It did suffer from pacing issues but still, it was gripping enough.

The ensemble cast led by Mona Singh also delivered brilliant performances. For Mona Singh, it was a double whammy after her impactful turn in Made in Heaven Season 2.

Similarly, director duo Prashanth Nair and Randeep Jha also delivered an unforgettable tale of courage and resilience Trial by Fire based on a real-life story.

After a long gap, Abhay Deol did some of his work here as Shekhar Krishnamurthy. Much like the other Deols — Dharmendra, Sunny, and Bobby Abhay — also rocked this year but in the digital format.

Now, let’s check the most impactful web series made this year in Hindi.

Made in Heaven Season 2

Radhika Apte in Made In Heaven Season 2
Radhika Apte in ‘Made In Heaven Season 2’. (S)

Contrary to the title Made in Heaven, there is nothing heavenly about how most of the marriages are portrayed in the two seasons. There were solid expectations from the second season, given how the first one was received.

Directors Zoya Akhtar and Neeraj Ghaywan among others not only delivered a solid follow-up but also pushed the envelope further in exposing the double standards and hypocrisies that dwell in our society through different weddings.

Just like the first season, here too, the social aspects came out strongly. Yes, the show could have been done with a crisper edit, but that didn’t diminish the impact of these stories.

Out of all the episodes, my two most favourite are the ones directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. One of them is about a successful author and Professor Pallavi Menke (Radhika Apte).

She is a Dalit Buddhist who asserts her Dalit identity at every step, including her wedding ceremony. Radhika Apte’s fiery performance coupled with Neeraj Ghaywan’s direction made this a punch-packed episode.

Another episode directed by Neeraj Ghaywan revolves around a man and a woman in their 50s having an extramarital affair without the knowledge of their respective spouses. Neelam Kothari and Samir Soni played Kriti and Gulshan respectively.

They were lovers while in college. This episode ends with Kriti taking a bold step that obviously doesn’t go down well with her children.

The performances across the board were first class with special mention to Radhika Apte and Mrunal Thakur in their extended special appearances.

Mrunal played a beauty queen struggling in an abusive relationship. The actress did a wonderful job, particularly in the breakdown scenes.

Dahaad

Gulshan Devaiah in Dahaad
Gulshan Devaiah in ‘Dahaad’. (X)

Dahaad directed by Reema Kagti and Ruchika Oberoi was more than a police procedural about a serial killer.

Some important social issues were also addressed in a hard-hitting manner.

Zoya Akhtar wrote the screenplay for Dahaad. For those who are not aware, Dahaad is inspired by the story of a real-life serial killer Cyanide Mohan.

Vijay Varma as the serial killer was terrific. He played socially deviant roles in the past too, like Darlings. Here too, he makes a huge impact as Anand Swarnakar.

He appears to be a do-gooder on the surface but what he actually does is seduce women from the lower strata of society, particularly the daughters of those who cannot afford to give dowry.

He camouflages himself into a different person each time and seduces them with sweet talk. Once they fall for him and sex takes place, he believes they are characterless and deserve to die.

Vijay was simply fantastic both as a serial killer who has unresolved issues with his dad and also as the middle-class married man who pretends to be a great husband and father.

Another standout feature of Dahaad is the performance of Gulshan Deviah as Devilal Singh. Devilal Singh is not only a determined police officer but also weathers a big storm at home due to his progressive outlook.

Devilal wants his daughter to be independent and not confine herself to being a housewife in future. His wife doesn’t think that way and this results in a conflict between husband and wife.

His progressive outlook can also be seen in the few scenes he shares with his son. The best example of this is the moment when Devilal tells his son that it is natural to have curiosity about sex at his age but at the same time, he needs to be cautious in these matters.

Gulshan was absolutely magnetic in every scene.

Sonakshi Sinha was adequately fierce but her performance feels like a letdown in comparison to others.

Another area where Dahaad slightly faltered was its climax. The confrontation scene between Vijay and Sonakshi needed to be more powerful. Still, Dahaad was definitely a worthy roar.

Scoop

Karishma Tanna in Scoop
Karishma Tanna in ‘Scoop’. (X)

Hansal Mehta has made a niche for himself with stories based on real life, whether it is Shahid (2012), Aligarh (2015) or Omerta (2017).

His web series debut Scam 1992 (2020) was also based on the real-life rags-to-riches story of stockbroker Harshad Mehta.

Continuing this route, Hansal Mehta once again chose a real-life story for his second web series — Scoop. This time the focus was on a real-life investigative Journalist Jigna Vora.

Jigna Vora was falsely suspected of having a hand in the murder of another investigative journalist, Jaideb Sen (Prosenjit Chatterjee). As a result of her arrest, Jigna changes from being a confident journalist to a dejected woman. Karishma Tanna delivered a breakthrough performance in the titular role.

Apart from Karishma, Harman Baweja and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub were also competent in their respective parts.

In fact, the character of Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub is also based on a real-life person named Hussain Zaidi. Hussain Zaidi is, of course, a prominent investigative journalist along with being a prolific writer. He was the mentor of the real-life Jigna.

A strong aspect of the Scoop web series is not only how Hansal Mehta depicted the challenge faced by these journalists in their everyday lives and the effect it has on them, but he also did a first-class job in showing the prejudices that female professionals face.

Hansal Mehta also deserves credit for how he fearlessly exposed the nexus between Dawood Ibrahim and the police.

Hussain Zaidi was also involved in this web series as part of research and his hand is clearly visible on many occasions.

Jubilee

After co-directing Sacred Games in 2018, Jubilee is the first full-fledged web series that Vikramaditya Motwane directed. He successfully transported the viewers into the 1940s.

Aparshakti Khurrana in Jubilee
Aparshakti Khurrana in ‘Jubilee’. (X)

The focus was the Hindi film industry of that time with the backdrop of the Independence movement and partition.

It is broadly inspired by the lives of prominent yesteryear film personalities Himanshu Rai and Devika Rani (Shrikant Roy and Sumitra Devi in the web series). Prosenjit Chatterjee and Aditi Rao Hydari played these parts.

The other prominent characters include Binod Das (Aparshakti Khurrana) Shrikant’s Man Friday who aspires to become a big actor. Niloufer Qureshi (Wamiqa Gabbi) is a courtesan.

Sidhant Gupta is Jay Khanna, a Pakistani refugee who is desperate to find a footing in Bombay. They both are street smart and end up striking a friendship with a common goal of making it big in the city and Roy Talkies.

Jubilee is a show that immerses the viewers from the first frame. The technical department deserves major kudos along with the director.

The art direction in particular is top-notch. The sets of Priti Gole and Yogesh Bansod are truly era-appropriate. Similarly, the cinematography of Pratik Shah enhances the overall experience.

What also made Jubilee binge-worthy was how Vikramaditya captured the turbulent political atmosphere and the effect it had on the film industry. Many scenes resonate with today’s times.

For example, there is a moment where Prosenjit Chatterji’s Shrikant Roy talks about the dangers of using cinema for propaganda. The characterisations were also layered particularly the ones essayed by Sidhant Gupta, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Aparshakti Khurrana.

Sidhant Gupta perfectly portrayed the pain and also the fighting spirit of a young man who has suddenly become a refugee in what was until recently his own country.

Wamiqa Gabbi’s Niloufer is someone who has big aspirations and to fulfil those dreams she takes all the possible routes. Some of it is questionable too but at the same time, Niloufer never comes across as compromising. Wamiqa effortlessly portrayed all these shades.

Aparshakti Khurrana took a huge U-turn from his regular comic roles. His character Binod Das has some grey shades which the actor pulled off with panache.

Certain passages in the show could have been done with a tighter edit.

Also, Aditi Rao Hydari’s Sumitra Devi needed to be more power-packed both in writing and performance. Her romantic scenes with Jamshed Khan (Nandish Singh Sandhu) with whom she tries to elope are loosely written.

Despite these flaws, Jubilee is still a very well-made web series.

Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo

Filmmaker Homi Adajania created a niche for himself with the likes of Being Cyrus (2005) and Finding Fanny (2014).

With Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo, the director made his digital debut. The show was produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films.

Dimple Kapadia in Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo
Dimple Kapadia in ‘Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo’. (X)

Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo was a formidable tale of four badass women set in the remote village of Hastinapur, somewhere in Rajasthan.

Savitri (Dimple Kapadia) is a matriarch who runs a company named “Rani Cooperative”. On the surface, this company produces various products but there is also a dark side.

Savitri’s team of women includes Kajal (Angira Dhar), Bijilee (Isha Talwar), and Shanta (Radhika Madan). While Shanta is the rebellious daughter Kajal and Bijilee are daughter-in-laws of Savitri.

These four together run drug business with a firm hand and live life on their terms. Deepak Dobriyal played the role of “The Monk” who is the arch-villain. Ashish Verma and Varun Mitra played the sons of Savitri.

Their characters have zero knowledge about the nature of their mother’s business. However, they soon come to know.

A strong aspect of Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo is how the director Homi Adajania makes Savitri’s palatial haveli a character in itself.

This is a place that is full of secrets. There was also an authenticity to the way the village was portrayed and the rustic makeover of these characters.

Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo is high on both thrills and emotions. There are many moments of tension and unpredictability as the plot thickens.

The emotional aspect can be particularly felt in the characterisation of Dimple Kapadia. Savitri is extremely brutal and menacing. At the same time, there is an emotional gravitas in the way her flashback is revealed.

Similarly, Isha Talwar’s Bijilee had the additional layer of homosexuality. Thankfully, this angle was dealt with sensitivity.

There are also some laugh-out-loud moments, thanks to Ashish Verma playing one of the sons. He brought in many chuckles with his understated humour.

Through his web series, the director also paid homage to both Mirch Masala (1987) and Bandit Queen (1994).

Talking about the performances, Dimple Kapadia led the ensemble by exuding both raw power and required vulnerability.

Angira Dhar and Isha Talwar also stood out with their power-packed performances.

The one slight flaw is the underutilisation of the legendary Naseeruddin Shah. The senior actor was a delight to watch in his portions. Still, the viewers feel that there could have been more of him.

Overall, this group of women gave a solid high to the viewers.

Scoop: Hansal Mehta Brings Alive Yet Another Real-Life Story

“Scoop” scores full marks in depicting the work of investigative journalists and what effect it has on their lives.

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Scoop (Hindi)
  • Cast: Karishma Tanna, Harman Baweja, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Inayat Sood, and Mohammad Zeeshan Ayub
  • Director: Hansal Mehta
  • Producer: Matchbox Shots
  • Music: Achint Thakur
  • No. of episodes: 6
  • OTT platform: Netfilx

Scoop, the latest Netflix series of Hansal Mehta, is based on the real-life account of journalist Jigna Vora.

Starting from the year 2010, Hansal Mehta has become a filmmaker who is synonymous with making real-life stories.

Irrespective of their commercial success, these films have left a huge impact on the audience’s mind. His latest web show Scoop is another noteworthy addition to this.

Synopsis

Jagruti Pathak (Karishma Tanna) is a senior crime journalist working as deputy bureau chief in the newspaper “Eastern Age”. Since Jagruti has a solid network, she excels in her job.

She shares a good rapport with police officer Harshvardhan Shroff (Harman Baweja) who often tips her about several crimes. She also has the support of her editor-in-chief Imran (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub).

Here, it has to be mentioned that the characters in Scoop of Imran and Jagruthi are based on real-life persons.

Imran is none other than the well-known investigative journalist Hussain Zaidi. He was the mentor of Jigna Vora on whom Jagruti’s role is based.

The murder of a journalist

There is another investigative journalist in Scoop who gets killed mysteriously. He is Jaideb Sen, played by Prosenjit Chatterjee. He works for the newspaper “News Day”.

One day, Sen is found dead in the middle of the road. Gangster Chhota Rajan is suspected to have a hand in this murder.

Meanwhile, things take a tragic turn for Jagruti. She is arrested based on a phone conversation which makes the police think that Jagruti instigated Chhota Rajan to kill him.

The rest of the story is about what happens to Jagruti and who the real culprits are in this murder case.

Strong points

Scoop scores full marks in depicting the work of investigative journalists and what effect it has on their lives. The show also dwells on the prejudices that female professionals face.

The makers of Scoop should also be appreciated for fearlessly exposing the nexus between Dawood Ibrahim and the police, without any fear of backlash.

Another major reason why Scoop is interesting to watch is because of the way the characters are written.

Hansal Mehta, along with writers Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul and Mirat Trivedi, sketches the characters that stay for a long time in the viewers’ minds.

The best example of this is Karishma Tanna’s Jagruti.

Jagruti goes from a confident journalist to a dejected woman. Her scenes with the jail inmates are particularly disturbing to watch.

Performances

Karishma Tanna easily delivers her career-best performance. Her performance in Scoop should open new doors for the actress.

Another character who deserves a mention is Harman Baweja’s, Harshvardhan Shroff.

Harshvardhan has a lot of fondness for Jagruti. But, at the same time, he is in a situation where he has to save the skin of both his department and himself.

Harman Baweja springs a pleasant surprise with his acting.

Mohammad Zeeshan Ayub as the editor-in-chief plays a character that is very similar to his real-life ideology. He makes Imran immensely watchable.

Prosenjit Chatterjee as Jaideb has a small part, but the actor is impressive every time he appears on the screen.

Technical aspects

Pratham Mehta’s cinematography blends in with the realistic look of the series — whether it is the newsroom, editorial meetings, or even the shady bars and cafes where the reporters meet their sources.

Achint Thakkar’s music and background score uplift the drama in many places.

Pratham Mehta and Achint Thakkar deserve full appreciation for a job well done.

Weak points

Scoop has its share of shortcomings as well. For example, the extended cameo of Shikha Talsania as the Godwoman isn’t well defined in any way and creates a halt in the proceedings.

Similarly, some of the jail portions could have been trimmed. However, these are minor aberrations.

Final Take

Scoop should be high on your watchlist if you are a sucker for stories centred on investigative journalism.

(Views expressed are personal.)