Paatal Lok Season 2 : Fantastic deep dive into Nagaland’s socio-political landscape

For those who haven’t seen the first season of Paatal Lok, it was loosely inspired by Tarun Tejpal’s Novel The Story of My Assassins.

Acclaimed actor Neeraj Kabhi played the role of the journalist-novelist Tarun Tejpal. The show revolved around an assassination attempt gone wrong. Jaideep Ahlawat played a low-ranking officer called Hathiram Chaudhary.

Hathiram is suddenly assigned a high-profile case changing his life forever. The series also took inspiration from the traditional concepts of heaven, earth and hell.

These served as metaphors to explore the different classes of India along with other aspects. Through a police procedure, various burning topics like caste atrocities, media biases and Islamophobia among others were explored in an impactful manner.

Apart from Jaideep Ahlawat’s stellar act, the first season is also remembered for Abhishek Banerjee’s deadly Vishal Hathoda, a notorious hitman with a love for dogs.

The role of Vishal Hathoda showcased a different facet of him; Abhishek got rave reviews for his excellent act. After a gap of five years, Paatal Lok Season 2 has arrived amidst high expectations.

Bingeworthy season 2

Jaideep Ahlawat in Paatal Lok Season
Jaideep Ahlawat in ‘Paatal Lok Season 2’. (X)

Thankfully the second season turns out to be even more bingeworthy. What sets apart the second season is the setting of Nagaland, giving the viewers a new perspective on the socio-political situation of the state.

Just like the first season the second one also starts as a police procedural. The plot begins with the brutal murder of Jonathom Thom, a prominent personality of Nagaland.

Jonathom Thom was deeply involved in the peace process of the state involving 20, 000 crore investment. On the surface, this may appear as a simple peace process but there is a lot at stake for the local government.

Running parallel to this is the case of a missing daily wage labourer and a nightclub dancer. Hathiram Chaudhary is investigating this. On the other hand, Ishwak Singh who played Constable Ansari in the first season is now an IPS officer.

Ansari has deep respect for Hathiram’s honesty and investigation skills in spite of being in a higher place. As the plot progresses these threads become intertwined.

The eight-episode saga covers a vast range of topics like the socio-political turmoil of the North East, and the struggles of orphans who fall into the trap of crime.

Nagaland politics

Ishwak Singh in Paatal Lok Season 2
Ishwak Singh in ‘Paatal Lok Season 2’. (X)

A major USP of Paatal Lok Season 2 is undoubtedly its depiction of Nagaland politics. The contrast between the beautiful landscapes with the immense turmoil of the local population has been wonderfully depicted.

The writing team of the second season which also includes Abhishek Banerjee does a terrific job of bringing alive the ethnic clashes between the different groups.

One of the major themes in Paatal Lok season 2 is the insider versus outsider topic. There is a section of people who have come from outside creating their own identity. Despite being Nagaland residents for a long time, they have to pay a certain amount of money to a local group in the hope of ensuring their safety.

But sometimes even that doesn’t work. This comes out strikingly in a conversation between Haitharam and a local business family.

The character of Haitharam serves as a medium to make the viewers more aware of the major conflicts involving the North East.

Women stuck in oppressive system

The series also does a terrific job of exploring the plight of the numerous women stuck in an oppressive system. Director Avinash Arun Dhaware along with the writers presents this in a hard-hitting manner through the characters of Rose Lizo and Aslena Thom.

One is a young woman battling addiction; the other is a conflicted widow. Through these subplots, a strong statement is made about the numerous trials and tribulations faced by those living on the fringes of society.

The supporting cast has numerous actors from the Northeast. All of them do a very good job in their respective roles adding a certain authenticity. Avinash Arun Dhaware deserves a major appreciation for casting northeastern actors in supporting parts as this adds to the immersive experience giving it a rooted feel.

Characterisation

Apart from the political aspects, the interpersonal relationships particularly the one between Hathiram and Ansari have been brilliantly written and enacted. Both Haithram and Ansari are unsure of how to behave with each other given the shift in power dynamics.

This aspect also gives the show some of its best moments; an underlying thread of friendship despite the awkward scenarios has come out wonderfully.

Paatal Lok Season 2 is a crime thriller
‘Paatal Lok Season 2’ is a crime thriller. (X)

Special mention must also be made of Tillotama Shome’s SP Meghana Barua. A mother of a six-year-old son and a local police officer who has established her space in what is generally considered as a male bastion.

Meghana’s knowledge of local politics adds a fresh dimension. Tillotama does a fantastic job of portraying the different nuances although the character could have been more developed.

Gul Panag reprising her role of Hathiram’s wife doesn’t get a lot to do just like in the first season, still, she shines bright in the emotional scenes. Director Nagesh Kukunoor as the shrewd businessman with several skeletons in his closet also makes a strong impact.

As Haithram Jaideep immerses himself coming with a superlative act again, the way he portrays the strong determination while battling both professional and personal issues is a sheer delight to watch.

Ishwak Singh is also terrific giving solid support as a young police officer dealing with the complexities of his new role.

Final take

To sum it up Paatal Lok Season 2 is absolutely binge-worthy, and a must-watch for fans of Paatal Lok Season One, and Jaideep Ahalwat admirers.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

Maharaj: Flawed but an important story of a real-life social reformer

Junaid Khan deserves kudos for choosing an issue-based story for his debut feature. Although the story is set in pre- independence times the plot holds a huge relevance even today. Self-appointed godmen exploiting female devotees in the name of religion is a rampant thing even after so many centuries.

  • Starcast: Junaid Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shalini Pandey, Sharvari Wagh and others
  • Director: Siddarth P Malhotra
  • Writers: Sneha Desai, Vipul Mehta and Kausir Munir
  • Based on: The book Maharaj by Saurabh Shah
  • Cinematography: Rajeev Ravi
  • Music: Sohail Sen
  • Producer: Aditya Chopra
  • Production house: Yash Raj Banners
  • Streaming site: Netflix

Godmen have a magnetic power over their female devotees, in spite of the fact that several of them have been accused of sexual offences whether it is Gurmit Ram Rahim or Asaram Bapu. Maharaj directed by Siddarth P Malhotra of Hichki fame focuses on one such godman. Junaid Khan playing Karsandas Muji is a social worker and a journalist. From a young age itself he starts questioning certain social customs of those times.

Jaideep Ahlawat is Jadunath ji short form JJ. Jadunath is a high priest of a major sect of Vaishnavites called Pushtimarg. The words of JJ are considered divine. Many women are enchanted by him and want to become his special devotees through charan seva. Shalini Pandey who plays Karsandas Muji’s fiancée Kishori who is in huge awe of JJ. Kishori willingly falls into the trap of Jadunath leading to a huge argument and a breakup with Karsandas. Later she comes to know about the reality of the self-styled godman, but it is too late as the relationship is beyond repair. In simple terms the story of Maharaj focuses on how Karsan exposes JJ by writing about his sexual escapades and the subsequent court case that was fought in the supreme court of Bombay (1862).

The first half of Maharaj is definitely uneven. There are elaborately choreographed dance sequences, and the styling does come across as too modern. The music of Sohail Sen doesn’t help the matters either. But the movie finds its ground as soon it moves into the confrontational zone. There are some powerful dialogues that question the wrongful religious practices and the blind faith. This comes out strongly in a commanding monologue delivered by Junaid.

There is also an important voiceover by Sharad Kelkar on how we do not need a third person to have a connection with God. The underlying message of the voiceover is that a person doesn’t become God because of dharma, dharma is just a way to become a good human being.

Siddarth P Malhotra has also touched upon the freedom of press and how a young man refuses to bow down in spite of many hurdles. These scenes hold a mirror to today’s society as today’s journalists also face many restrictions.

Junaid Khan as Karsandas, just like the movie takes a while in finding ground but the actor becomes better as the movie progresses. He manages to hold his own opposite the supremely versatile Jaideep Ahlawat. Jaideep Ahlawat as JJ conveys a lot with just his expressions and overall body language. As expected, the actor delivers a brilliant performance.

Shalini Pandey and Sharvari Wagh have brief but important roles. Each get a solid emotional scene which they pull off well. Sharvari brings a certain vivaciousness to the proceedings. She particularly shines in the sequence where her character confesses about being forced to do charan seva at a young age.

Maharaj is a praiseworthy debut for Junaid Khan in spite of some sluggishness.

Jaane Jaan: Another Compelling Thriller From Sujoy Ghosh

Jaane Jaan (Hindi)                 

Starcast: Kareena Kapoor, Jaideep Ahlawat, Vijay Varma, Saurabh Sachdeva and others

Director and writer: Sujoy Ghosh

Additional writer and dialogues: Raj Vasant

Based on: The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

Producers: Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, Akshai Puri and others

Production Companies: Balaji Motion Pictures 12th Street Entertainment etc.

Streaming site: Netflix

Genre: Mystery/drama

Running time: 2 hours and 19 minutes

For those who are not aware Sujoy Ghosh’s  Jaane Jaan is based on the famous Japanese novel ‘The Devotion of Suspect X’ by Keigo Higashino. This novel has seen many adaptations. In fact the Drishyam films are supposed to be inspired from this novel.

Jaane Jaan has been an eagerly awaited film for two reasons. One is its director Sujoy Ghosh who has established his credentials as a thriller specialist with Kahaani and Badla. Two is the diverse star cast featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat and Vijay Varma. Jaane Jaan is not in the same league as Kahaani but there is a lot to like here too.

Jaane Jaan primarily revolves around three characters. The setting of this film is a misty hill station called Kalimpong in West Bengal. Maya D’ Souza (Kareena Kapoor) is a single mother who works at the local café. Naren Vyas (Jaideep Ahlawat) is a mathematics teacher at a local school. Naren is also Maya’s neighbour. He is socially awkward but is besotted with Maya. Maya comes with a dark past which is connected to her ex husband Ajit Mhatre (Saurabh Sachdeva). Her new life is shaken up by his re entry but in an accidental scuffle husband dies. She buries him with the help of her neighbour.

Vijay Varma is a police Inspector who is assigned the task of finding Ajit Mhatre. For a change his character Karan Anand is not a deranged psycho (like in Darlings, Dahaad and Pink). What follows is a survival thriller of a determined single mother in the style of Drishyam films. In this case she also has the help of her besotted neighbour .

First and foremost Jaane Jaan is not about who the culprit is. So it is not a story of whodunit in the classical sense. It is more about how the culprit evades the authorities. Sujoy Ghosh takes his own sweet time to establish the daily routine of Maya and how Naren secretly loves her. For some the slow pace might be a hindrance but these portions are necessary in the overall scheme of things.

A big plus for Jaane Jaan is the technical department headed by Avik Mukhopadhyay. He captures the different colour pallets brilliantly through his lens. His cinematography is such that the hill station becomes a character in itself.

The background music composed by the band of Shor Police is in complete sync with the mood of the film. There is no scope for songs in a film like this but the title number pictured on Kareena Kapoor makes for a good watch and listen.

Kareena Kapoor Khan successfully takes off from where she left in Laal Singh Chaddha.  Her Maya D’ Souza is a mixture of steely resilience, vulnerability and charm among other things. Kareena delivers a knock out in her debut digital project.

The way Jaideep Ahlawat who played Naren is smitten by Maya brings a smile to the viewer’s face. His love for Maya and the extent to which he helps her makes you wish that Maya had ended up with him. He was terrific in bringing out the various nuances of his character.

Vijay Varma for a change is a charming cop and the actor plays it with the required coolness. It is refreshing to see Vijay in this avatar. The scenes between Vijay and Kareena are good to watch. During the investigation Karan also falls in love with Maya and the scenes where he flirts with her are adorable. Saurabh Sachdeva is pitch perfect as the abusive husband in his brief screen time.

Jaane Jaan does suffer from editing issues. The film could have been cut short by fifteen minutes. The climax has the typical shock value of a Sujoy Ghosh thriller although it might not be everyone’s cup of tea.