Best of Bollywood web series 2024: A good mix of fresh stories and continuation of old seasons

Like the last few years, 2024 has also seen numerous filmmakers and production houses enter the OTT space.

A solid example of this is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi— a powerful women-led story focusing on the contribution of Tawaifs in India’s freedom struggle. The web show had plenty of Bhansali’s grandeur and his usual empathy for the Tawaifs.

Mulk (2018) and Article 15 (2019) director Anubhav Sinha also made an impactful OTT debut with the hijack drama IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The web series revisited a hugely agonizing period when three Pakistani terrorists had hijacked a flight going from Delhi to Katmandu.

Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment a sub-wing of Dharma Productions produced two shows of diverse genres. The first one was the taunt investigative thriller/drama Gyraah Gyaarah. The series directed by Umesh Bhist kept the viewers intrigued with the additional concept of time travel, a cop in 2016 finding a walkie-talkie connecting him to a policeman from the past. Kill fame Raghav Juyal showcased his versatility with a wonderful portrayal of an impulsive cop.

The other was Collin D’ Cunha’s Call Me Bae, a breezy coming-of-age story with a strong sense of sisterhood. Ananya Pandey as Bella aka Bae delivered a winsome act nailing both Bella’s quirks and the emotional scenes too.

Continuation of series

In 2024, many popular series returned with new seasons. Among them, Panchayat Season 3, directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, stood out.

The highlight of Panchayat Season 3 was its portrayal of grassroots politics, with intense scenes of political rivalry. The earthy humour from the previous seasons was also maintained, making it both engaging and entertaining.

Maharani Season 3, directed by Saurabh Bhave, was a gripping tale of politics and revenge. Loosely inspired by 1990s Bihar, the series continued its strong socio-political commentary. Bhave captured the illegal liquor trade despite the official ban and effectively depicted the power struggles and ruthless political world. Huma Qureshi once again delivered a powerful performance in the lead role.

Following are some more details of the most impactful Hindi web series this year

Heeramandi

Manisha Koirala in Heeramandi
Manisha Koirala in ‘Heeramandi’. (X)

Sanjay Leela’s Heeramandi features a complex storyline with numerous characters and backstories. It takes time for viewers to understand the direction of the plot but soon captivates with powerful moments and performances.

The best aspect of Heeramandi is how Sanjay Leela Bhansali blends the internal politics of Tawaifs with the Indian freedom struggle, showing how they played a crucial role. The series also delivers hard-hitting dialogues, revealing that not only the British but also Indian nawabs, were fighting for supremacy through a divide-and-rule strategy.

A particularly poignant moment occurs when the Tawaifs march toward a prison wall at night. The background score, combined with Bhansali’s song “Azadi”, gives the audience goosebumps.

The performances, led by Manisha Koirala and Sonakshi Sinha, were outstanding. Among the male leads, Taha Shah made the strongest impact, capturing the internal struggle of a young man torn between love and responsibility.

Freedom At Midnight

A still from the series Freedom At Midnight
A still from the series ‘Freedom At Midnight’. (Instagram)

Nikhil Advani’s adaptation of the sprawling novel by the same name was a brilliant exploration of the events leading up to partition. The director along with his writers skilfully captured the political turmoil of those times without blaming a particular political party.

The series had many goosebumps moments, particularly the portions of riot-torn neighbourhoods. The scenes of communal strife resulting from religious discord have a certain contemporariness as the religious divide remains a major issue today.

The acting performances led by Sidanth Gupta as Jawaharlal Nehru and Chirag Vohra as Mahatma Gandhi further enhanced the solid writing. Ashutosh Pataka’s music was also poignant enhancing the plot at various junctures. The tunes had a haunting quality.

Killer Soup

Konkona Sen Sharma in Killer Soup
Konkona Sen Sharma in ‘Killer Soup’. (X)

Abhishek Chaubey’s Killer Soup is a delightful mix, blending influences from William Shakespeare and Virginia Woolf. The series is based on real-life incidents from Telangana.

Konkona Sen Sharma plays Swati, a housewife who dreams of owning a restaurant but lacks support from her husband, Prabhu. At the end of the first episode, Prabhu catches Swati with her lover, Umesh, leading to a major twist. Manoj Bajpayee is seen in a double role as both husband and illicit lover.

A standout element of Killer Soup is how Chaubey infuses Shakespearean touches into the story. One example is a private detective ghost who helps a cop, played by Nassar. The ghost, visible only to Nassar, offers him advice whenever he’s in a bind.

These moments have a touch of magical realism. While the situations may seem absurd, they are equally fun to watch. Chaubey’s tribute to Virginia Woolf shines in how he humanizes Swati’s character. Swati’s determination to open her own restaurant and her desperate need for respect are portrayed poignantly.

Konkona Sen Sharma flawlessly portrays Swati’s shifting moods, moving from loving to intense without missing a beat. Manoj Bajpayee is also excellent, especially as the illicit lover, Umesh.

Murder in Mahim

A still from the series Murder in Mahim
A still from the series ‘Murder in Mahim’. (X)

Murder in Mahim, directed by Raj Acharya, is a gripping drama that explores homophobia in depth. The series highlights the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community and how societal acceptance remains slow, despite the removal of Article 377.

Based on a novel by Jerry Pinto, the plot centres around a series of murders targeting the LGBTQIA+ community. Vijay Raaz plays the lead cop, Shivajirao Jende, while Ashutosh Rana portrays Peter Fernandes, a retired crime journalist and Jende’s long-lost friend, who becomes an important ally.

Murder in Mahim balances the murder mystery with a critique of homophobia. Beyond this, the father-son dynamic between Peter and his son adds emotional depth, especially as they hold opposing views on homosexuality. This tension provides some of the series’ most powerful moments.

An important metaphor in the series is the restroom at a Mumbai local station, intended to be a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community but instead fueling their fears of societal rejection.

Vijay Raaz and Ashutosh Rana are solid performers who don’t need a particular introduction, here too the senior actors did a fantastic job. The surprise package though was the young actress Shivani Raghuvanshi in the role of Firdaus Rabbani, a female police officer and a closeted member of the LGBTQIA+ community, making a lasting impact with her performance.

Maamla Legal Hai

Ravi Kishan in Mamla Legal Hai
Ravi Kishan in ‘Maamla Legal Hai’. (X)

Maamla Legal Hai, directed by Rahul Pandey, is a delightful satire on the legal system. The eight episodes explore eccentric cases inspired by real-life incidents.

At the centre of the show is street-smart advocate VD Tyagi, played brilliantly by Ravi Kishan. Tyagi, who aspires to become the bar association president, is skilled at finding loopholes and winning cases with ease. The series touches on serious issues, like lawyer strikes affecting cases and the connubial rights of prisoners, but presents them in an entertaining way.

One of the most bizarre cases is about a husband wanting to divorce his wife because she didn’t feel shy on their wedding night. While this may seem unbelievable, a newspaper clipping at the end confirms it really happened.

Ravi Kishan shines in his role, but Nidhi Bhist, as fellow lawyer Sujatha, also impresses with her excellent performance, matching Kishan’s brilliance.

IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack

Vijay Varma in IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack
Vijay Varma in ‘IC 814 The Kandahar Hijack’. (X)

Anubhav Sinha’s IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is a refreshing hijack thriller/drama in many ways. It subverts the trope of a larger-than-life hero and offers a nuanced portrayal of terrorists, making them feel like complex characters. For example, there’s a scene where the terrorists play Antyakshari with the passengers, and one comforts an air hostess when she vomits from the stench.

Even in the case of Captain Sharan Dev, played by Vijay Varma, he is vulnerable like the other passengers, but his strong determination shines through. The web series is also refreshing in how it avoids over-the-top nationalism.

The series blends real-life events with dramatized moments, using a voiceover alongside archival footage. Merging these two elements is difficult, but Sinha does an excellent job.

Vijay Varma delivers a terrific performance, and Manoj Pahwa also makes a strong impact as the aggressive official. Pahwa commands attention, whether negotiating with the hijackers or conversing with the suave Aravind Swamy.

Call Me Bae

Ananya Pandey in Call Me Bae
Ananya Pandey in ‘Call Me Bae’. (X)

Collin D Cunha’s Call Me Bae is a breezy coming-of-age story. Ananya Pandey plays Bella, a rich housewife, who is kicked out of her in-laws’ house after being caught getting cosy with her gym trainer, played by Varun Sood. Left to fend for herself, Bella’s mother also distances herself.

Bella’s struggles are presented in a light, sanitized way. She isn’t shown sleeping on footpaths or hustling in local trains. The show uses tongue-in-cheek humour to portray Bella, and once viewers adjust to the tone, there’s a lot to enjoy.

The best part of Call Me Bae is the camaraderie between Ananya Pandey’s Bae and Muskkaan Jaferi’s Saira Ali. Muskkaan’s character enters at a critical point and quickly becomes a pillar of support for Bella. Her witty one-liners add much to the show, and through her performance, Muskkaan makes viewers wish for a strong friend like Saira.

The show also features two other important women, played by Niharika Lyra Dutt and Lisa Mishra, who play key roles in Bella’s life. Vir Das adds spice as an arrogant journalist, with his confrontation scenes with Ananya being a major highlight.

Ananya Pandey excels in the title role, skillfully portraying Bella’s transformation.

Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2

A still from the series Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2
A still from the series ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2’. (X)

Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2 is a pulpy sequel with engaging twists and a strong Shakespearean touch. The famous Shakespeare quote, “The course of true love never did run smooth,” perfectly describes the twisted love story of Vikrant, played by Tahir Raj Bhasin.

Like the first season, the second benefits from the layered characterization of Vikrant. By the end of season one, he had become morally ambivalent. In this season, his grey shades are even more pronounced. Much like Sushmita Sen’s Aarya, Vikrant is forced to confront his inner demon due to certain circumstances.

Tahir does a terrific job portraying Vikrant’s emotional turmoil, especially when he realizes that Shikha (played by Shweta Tripathi) is no longer his. He is devastated when Shikha marries someone else and confronts her. In response, Shikha points out that he too married Purva (Aanchal Singh), bowing to circumstances. Tahir’s portrayal of Vikrant’s broken ego is exemplary.

Aside from Tahir, the season delves deeper into Purva’s character, revealing how she became an extremely possessive person. There is a powerful scene where Saurabh Shukla’s Akheraj Awasthi apologizes to Vikrant, saying he should have raised her better. Aanchal Singh does an excellent job humanizing her role as an obsessive lover.

(Edited by Sumavarsha)

Nikhil Advani: From romantic dramas to gripping social thrillers

Starting from the romantic dramas Kal Ho Naa Hoo (2024) and Salaam-e-Ishq (2007) Nikhil Advani has created a distinct space for himself both on the big screen and also in the OTT space.

In a career spanning from 2003 to now, Nikhil Advani has donned various hats as a director, producer, writer and also creator for web series like the two seasons of Rocket Boys (2022, 2024) and The Empire (2021).

However, over the years, Nikhil Advani has moved from light-hearted romantic films to gritty tales about society, and history.

For example, the 2013 movie D-Day is a significant milestone in his career. At the box office, it was an average grosser but the critical reviews were very good.

Although an espionage thriller with all the nationalistic elements, the movie was nevertheless gripping showcasing a different facet of Nikhil Advani. The trials and tribulations faced by the four undercover agents in capturing the late Rishi Kapoor’s character modelled on Dawood Ibrahim packed an emotional punch.

Another TV show POW Bandi Yudk Ke was also directed by Nikhil Advani. The show based on two prisoners of war was taken off the air due to low viewership despite critical acclaim.

Nikhil Advani has aced many genres, including action thrillers like Batla House, sports dramas like Patiala House, and films on social issues like Vedaa. He has also dabbled in the OTT space, giving series like the recent Freedom At Midnight, and Mumbai Diaries Season 1 and 2.

Now let’s get into a little more detail about a few other projects that have been helmed by Nikhil Advani, showcasing how much he has grown as a director.

Batla House

John Abraham in Batla House
John Abraham in ‘Batla House’. (Instagram)

In 2019, Nikhil Advani directed the action thriller Batla House based on the real-life police officer Sanjeev Kumar Yadav. The film focused on the controversial encounter showcasing Sanjeev’s struggles in proving both the authenticity of it and also dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The movie isn’t entirely objective in its approach more or less siding with Sanjeev Kumar. Still, it was a taut film keeping the viewers engaged. Also, Nikhil Advani’s depiction of PTSD deserves major appreciation.

Nikhil Advani also pushed John Abraham beyond his action star image. On numerous occasions, the viewers see John battling with his inner demons, a particular mention must be made of the portions reminiscent of William Shakespeare’s play Lady Macbeth. Much like that play, here too John’s character is often haunted giving a much-needed emotional heft.

Vedaa

Sharvari Wagh in Vedaa
Sharvari Wagh in ‘Vedaa’. (X)

Vedaa (2024) headlined by Sharvari Wagh is flawed yet a gritty social drama about caste-based violence and discrimination. The movie was based on real-life events and Nikhil Advani did a fantastic job in showcasing the struggles of Dalits in climbing up the social ladder even after so many years of independence.

Vedaa deserved to be much more at the box office given its merits but unfortunately lost the box office battle with Amar Kaushik’s mega-blockbuster Stree 2.

A very strong point of Vedaa was how Nikhil Advani developed the character of its titular protagonist portrayed by the brilliant Sharvari Wagh. The character of Vedaa starts off as a timid girl but gradually she grows in confidence becoming a strong rebel refusing to bow down. This transition was wonderfully depicted by Nikhil Advani aided by Sharvari who didn’t miss a single beat.

Apart from Sharvari’s towering act, Nikhil Advani also created a strong antagonist in the form of Abhishek Banerjee’s Jitender Pratap Singh. As the man who firmly believes that one shouldn’t toy with the established caste system, Abhishek simply knocked it out of the park showcasing his immense range.

Mumbai Diaries Season 1 and 2

The two seasons of Mumbai Diaries directed and created by Nikhil Advani focused on two highly distressing real-life incidents.

A poster of the series Mumbai Diaries
A poster of the series ‘Mumbai Diaries’. (Instagram)

The first one was about the horrors of 26/11. Nikhil Advani along with Nikhil Gonsalves focused their lens on how medical professionals like doctors and nurses were pushed to their limits in a crowded hospital which is low on resources. The web series was also a tribute to the spirit of Mumbaikars.

A strong aspect of the first season was how it never portrayed the doctors as superheroes. All of them come with their own inner demons and have their backs to the wall both professionally and personally.

Nikhil Advani also did a very fine job in not pitting one religion or nation against one another. It was more about terror versus humanity. The strong acting performances led by Mohit Raina and Konkana Sen Sharma were another highlight of both seasons.

The second season of Mumbai Diaries focused on the rage of floods which had submerged the Mumbai city. Much like the first season this time too the focus was equally on both the doctors fighting against the unfavourable weather and their personal demons along with the fighting spirit of Mumbaikars.

A strong aspect of Season 2 was how Nikhil Advani along with his writers built a palpable sense of urgency. The viewers feel an emotional connection with the characters of Mohit Raina and Konkana Sharma among others.

The flood scenes were also authentically recreated, and the production design of Priya Suhass was simply top-notch.

Freedom At Midnight

Freedom At Might co-written by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins is a very difficult novel to adopt given the sheer vastness of the political turmoil.

A still from the series Freedom At Midnight
A still from the series ‘Freedom At Midnight’. (Instagram)

In today’s political environment numerous filmmakers are seen playing to the gallery to please the ruling party but Nikhil Advani’s adaptation of the vast novel stands out for not just the brilliant writing but also the way in which he never takes sides. He let the audiences make their own judgements by placing them amidst the powerful leaders who had fought for India’s independence.

The dynamics between Gandhi and Nehru were a treat to watch in particular. Gandhi’s unwavering idealism and Nehru’s internal struggle leading to discord were both wonderfully written and enacted. The series was also technically top-notch particularly the portions featuring the riot-torn neighbourhoods.

The show moves the viewers on many occasions like the scenes of religious discord leading to communal violence. Cannot wait to see how the second season unfolds.

Apart from the ones mentioned above a couple of other web series worth mentioning here are Rocket Boys and The Empire. Nikhil Advani didn’t direct either of them but he was still creatively involved. Both these shows further demonstrated Nikhil Advani’s versatility.

This is all about the evolution of Nikhil Advani as a filmmaker. Here’s hoping that he continues to do stellar work.

(Edited by Sumavarsha)

Freedom At Midnight web series review: A brilliant exploration of events leading up to the partition

Director Nikhil Advani skillfully captures the political turmoil of the time, which ideally should have been the celebration of free India but ended as a harrowing experience with the religious conflicts. 
Freedom At Midnight (Hindi), 14-11-2024, Historical drama ,7 episodes, 13+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Sidhant Gupta, Chirag Vohra, Rajendra Chawla, Luke McGibney, Cordelia Bugeja, Arif Zakaria, Ira Dubey, Malishka Mendonsa, and Rajesh Kumar
  • Director: Nikhil Advani
  • Producer: Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani
  • Music Director: Ashutosh Patak
  • Cinematography: Malay Prakash
  • Rating: 4/5

Starting from Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) and Salaam- E- Ishq (2007) director and producer Nikhil Advani has had a fascinating career so far.

He has dabbled in various genres whether it is the action dramas Batla House (2019) and D-Day (2013) or the two seasons of Mumbai Diaries— a medical thriller.

This year Nikhil further proved his versatility with the movie Vedaa—a gritty social drama with hardcore action.

Synopsis

The web series Freedom At Midnight, streaming on Sony Liv, though has to be the biggest risk taken by the director. Given the complexity of the events and also the probability of being accused of aligning to a particular political spectrum.

The series is based on the book “Freedom at Midnight” by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins.

Fortunately, Nikhil has passed the test with flying colours. He has succeeded in not only making a gripping series but at no point does the show take sides blaming a particular person or party. Instead, it places the viewers amidst the powerful leaders who have fought for India’s independence letting the audiences make their own judgments.

At the heart of Freedom At Midnight are the complex political scenarios represented by the numerous leaders. The main ones are Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (Sidhant Gupta), Sardar Vallabhai Patel (Rajendra Chawla), Mahatma Gandhi (Chirag Vohra), Mohammad Ali Jinnah (Arif Zakaria) and Lord Louis Mountbatten (Luke Mc Gibney).

Through the seven episodes, Nikhil Advani along with writers Gundeep Kaur, Ethan Taylor, Divy Nidhi Sharma, and Revantha Sarabai, gives a strong insight into the political machinations and the numerous differences of opinions leading to clashes.

Analysis

A still from the series Freedom At Midnight
A still from the series ‘Freedom At Midnight’. (X)

As already mentioned, Freedom At Midnight doesn’t take sides at any point, instead, it presents the viewers with various perspectives.

Whether it is Gandhiji’s unwavering idealism in spite of the clash of opinions between Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel, or Jinnah’s uncompromising attitude on wanting Pakistan among others.

The series presents the leaders with their flaws, fears and contradictions. The best examples of this are the portions involving Jinnah’s calculated decisions or Nehru’s quiet torment.

The scenes of religious discord leading to incidents of communal violence give the show some of its best emotional scenes. Although these scenes are set in a particular time period, there is contemporariness to them, as religious discord, is still a major issue in the present time.

Technical brilliance

Freedom At Midnight is a historical drama
‘Freedom At Midnight’ is a historical drama. (X)

Freedom At Midnight immerses the viewers from the first frame and a major reason for this is Malay Prakash’s cinematography.

The close-up shots of the emotional upheavals faced by Nehru, and Gandhi in particular transports the viewers into those turbulent times making them feel that they are watching the happenings from up close.

Both the cinematography and the production design are the main pillars of this web show.

Talking about the production design, the scenes of the Viceroy’s house along with the portions showcasing the riot-torn neighbourhoods serve as a perfect masterclass in creating an authentic world in an era where VFX is dominating mainstream cinema.

Ashutosh Patak’s music is equally poignant enhancing the series’ emotional scenes significantly. There is a haunting quality to the tunes in perfect sync with the nature of the show.

Performances

Sidhant Gupta as Nehru in ‘Freedom At Midnight’. (X)

The performances of the entire cast are brilliant starting from Sidhant Gupta. The young actor successfully takes off from his fantastic performance in Jubilee (2023).

As Jawaharlal Nehru, he perfectly portrays the inner conflicts of a leader who is torn between his ideals and the grim pragmatism that was the need of the hour, his scenes with Chirag Vohra’s Gandhi in particular are very impressive.

The scenes of the unfortunate discord and how he portrays a quiet resolve are truly brilliant.

Arif Zakaria is also terrific making sure that Mohammad Ali Jinnah never becomes a caricature. He portrays him as a complex personality with shades of frailty, ambition and conviction.

Jinnah is someone who is both formidable and tragically flawed. Both the writing and Arif Zakaria’s performance bring out these nuances wonderfully.

Chirag Vohra as Gandhi plays his part with lots of grace. His performance particularly in the scenes of anguish is praiseworthy.

Rajendra Chawla as Sardar Patel portrays both the grit and the gentleness of the leader in a perfect manner. Special mention must also be made of Rajesh Kumar playing Liaquat Ali Khan. The actor makes for a perfect partner in crime for Jinnah.

The women characters though needed better etching. Both Ira Dubey’s Fatima and also the actress playing Lady Mountbatten are introduced with great promise but end up mostly relegated to the background.

Final take

Keeping aside this small niggle, Freedom At Midnight is a moving emotional tale of how freedom came at a heavy price.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)

Vedaa: A flawed yet a gritty social drama that touches upon caste-based violence and discrimination

In spite of a bloated second half director Nikhil Advani delivers a hard-hitting tale based on real events. Sharvari Wagh has delivered her career best performance.

  • Starcast: Sharvari Wagh, John Abraham, Abhishek Banerjee, Ashish Vidyarthi and others special appearances (Tammanna Bhatia and Mouni Roy)
  • Director: Nikhil Advani
  • Writer: Assem Arora
  • Producers: John Abraham, Monisha Advani and others
  • Production Companies: Zee Studios, Emmay Entertainment and JA Entertainment
  • Music: Ammal Malik and Manan Bhardwaj
  • Cinematography: Malay Prakash
  • Running time: 2 hours and 36 minutes

Nikhil Advani has had a very interesting filmography starting from the romantic dramas Kal Ho Na Ho and Salaam e Ishq. He shifted gears successfully with the film D-Day a well-made action thriller. Nikhil further proved his versatility on OTT with the two seasons of Mumbai Diaries. Of course, the director has also fallen flat on his face with certain movies but there is no denying that Nikhil is a fascinating filmmaker. His latest directorial is based on some real-life incidents dwelling into the oppression of lower caste. Vedaa alternates between a social drama and a high-octane action thriller with dollops of blood. This mix doesn’t always work particularly the long-drawn climax however there is no denying that Nikhil Advani makes an important statement.

Vedaa alternates between a social drama and a high-octane action thriller

The story of Vedaa deals with an ambitious Dalit girl played by Sharvari Wagh. Vedaa aspires to be a boxer breaking the boundary of social stigma. However, that is easier said than done given her family background and the upper caste bigots. Abhishek Banerjee in his second release of the week plays an unhinged antagonist who firmly believes that one cannot toy with the firmly established caste system. The actor is simply phenomenal which I will elaborate on later. John Abaraham on the other hand is a typical hot headed solider who faces court martial for his rebellious streak. His character Abhimanyu comes to the village of Sharvari, his father-in-law stays here. Abhimanyu tries to lead a normal civilian life but an honor killing incident changes everything. Vedaa’s brother falls in love with an upper caste girl, she also reciprocates but expectedly there is no happy ending. Abhimanyu becomes the guiding force of Vedaa echoing Mahabharata.

Sharvari Wagh’s Vedaa aspires to be a boxer breaking free from social stigma

A strong aspect of Vedaa is how Nikhil Advani has showcased the humiliation that Dalits go through. Even after so many years of independence the social and economic conditions of Dalits leave a lot to be desired. There are some hugely disturbing scenes like the one where Vedaa is assaulted by upper caste hooligans, but she is not a position to fight back. There is also a scene where lower caste men rub their noses on the ground. Of course, the treatment is more in your in your face unlike Article 15 that was more nuanced but still these moments leave a strong impact.

Vedaa also benefits from the strong characterization of the central role. Sharvari Wagh starts off as a timid girl but gradually the character grows in confidence becoming a strong rebel. A scene which deserves a particular mention is Vedaa’s confrontation scene with the younger brother of Abhishek Banerjee’s character. A very violent fight ensues with Vedaa taking out all of her pent-up frustration. Sharvari proves to be a worthy action heroine, on a side note cannot wait to see her kick some serious ass with Alia Bhatt in Alpha.

Abhishek Banerjee proves himself as a supremely talented artist with his portrayal of Jitender Pratap Singh. The actor does a wonderful job in portraying an intimidating villain. He gives John Abaraham more than a tough fight in the hand-to-hand combat sequences. It is hard to believe that this is the same man who played the role of Jana in Stree 2. He is that good.

Abhishek Banerjee proves himself to be a supremely talented artist

The second half of Vedaa has numerous car chases and action sequences. These sequences offer a thrilling ride for the viewers. There is constant tension about how Vedaa is going to emerge victorious from all this. However, it has to be said that the fights become too elongated as well and the climax in particular becomes a never-ending saga. John Abraham’s Abhimanyu Kanwar is pumped with numerous bullets but still he stands up. The gritty texture of the first half is in complete odds with these scenes. Similarly, Abhishek Banerjee is seen walking normally even after being shot in the stomach.

Talking about John Abraham the actors hulk like presence goes completely with the role. Abhimanyu is a man of few words letting his fists doing the talk. However, John’s performance feels like a letdown in comparison to his character of Jim in Pathaan.

Vedaa’s music also leaves something to be desired. The only song that makes an impression is Arjit Singh’s ‘Zaroorat Se Zyada’. Malay Prakash’s cinematography coupled with Manoj Sikka’s sound design deserves a major appreciation. The hinterland of Rajasthan has a lived-in feel.

Vedaa in spite of some flaws is thought provoking making the viewers root for the titular character.

Mumbai Diaries Season 2: A Brilliant Story Of Human Triumph Against All Odds

Much like Season 1, director Nikhil Advani successfully delivers a web show that is high on both thrills and emotions.

For those who haven’t seen the first season of Mumbai Diaries (2021), the plot was about the events that took place amidst the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. At the centre of this story were the doctors in the fictional Bombay General Hospital.

In Mumbai Diaries Season 2, director and creator Nikhil Advani focuses his lens on unfortunate events that took place when Mumbai city was submerged under the floods. He skillfully recreates how the Mumbaikars survived nature’s wrath and their fighting spirit.

Once again, you have the doctors and their staff, who are struggling to save the ailing patients. This time, the challenges are related to infrastructure in the hospital and of course, their personal demons.

For example, Dr Kaushik Oberoi (Mohit Raina) is under severe media trial due to the grieving wife of an ATS chief Mrs Kelkar (Sonali Kulkarni). She blames him for the death of her husband as he couldn’t save him.

Additionally, Oberoi chooses to treat a dreaded terrorist on that fateful night.

On the other hand, there is Chitra Das (Konkana Sen Sharma) who has a traumatic past that is related to her ex-husband Dr Saurav (Parambrata Chattopadhyay).

Dr Saurav visits the hospital on the same night with a delegation comprising of London-based doctors.

Initially, the viewers are made to believe that Dr Saurav’s presence in the hospital is only a coincidence. However, as the story progresses, there is much more to this tale than what meets the eye.

In a nutshell, the story is about how these groups of doctors battle both the unfavourable weather and their personal demons.

A big plus for Mumbai Diaries Season 2 is how the screenwriters have built a sense of urgency through the writing.

The viewers feel an emotional connection towards these doctors and want them to emerge victorious both professionally and personally.

Performances

The performances across the board are brilliant with the standouts being Mohit Raina and Konkana Sen Sharma.

Mohit Raina does a brilliant job of conveying both the inner turmoil and the fighting spirit of Dr Kaushik Oberoi.

Konkana Sen Sharma is wonderful in displaying both the vulnerability and steeliness of Chitra Das. Her subplot with the junior doctor Ahaan (Satyajeet Dubey) has some wonderful moments.

Satyajeet Dubey’s character is attracted towards Chitra Das.

Amidst an intense scene with his fellow junior doctors, Ahaan bursts out about how he brought tickets to watch Love Aaj Kal (2009) with Chitra Das. This brings a smile to the viewer’s face.

A refreshing change from the first season is the character arc of Mansi (Shreya Dhanwantary). Her part was a weak link in the first part, But, this time around, Mansi has been etched out much better.

Coming to the negatives, the show could have done with crisper editing. A couple of narratives have been stretched needlessly. These include a queer character that slows down the proceedings.

Ashutosh Pathak’s background score is another major winner. His work is particularly praiseworthy in intense scenes.

The background score helps in further elevating the performances.

Another noteworthy aspect of this web series is the production design of Priya Suhass. There is an authenticity to how the flood scenes have been recreated.

Final take

To sum it up, Mumbai Diaries Season 2 makes the viewers wish that Nikhil Advani comes up with a Season 3.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

Rocket Boys Season 2: A Worthy Follow-Up to The First Season

Jim Sarbh and Ishwak Singh takes the center stage

Rocket Boys Season 2

Cast: Jim Sarbh, Ishwak Singh, Regina Cassandra, Saba Azad etc.

Screenplay, Dialogues and Direction: Abhay Pannu

Story: Abhay Koranne

Additional dialogues: Kausar Munir

Genre: Biographical drama

Producers: Siddarth Roy Kapoor, Monisha Advani and Madhu Bhojwani

Number of episodes: 8

OTT: SonyLiv

Season 2 of Rocket Boys is a worthy follow-up to the first season. It mainly looks at the decisions that shaped the nation’s space and nuclear programmes under the leadership of Jim Sarbh’s Homi Bhabha and Ishwak Singh’s Vikram Sarabhai.

There is also a major subplot of how their decisions ended up creating geopolitical ripples across the subcontinent.

Strong women characters

Much like the first season, the new season also has strong women characters.

Mrinalini Sarabhai played by Regina Cassandra is one example of this. She is the wife of Vikram Sarabhai and also a classical dancer. Her presence is significant both at home and also in the outside world.

Saba Azad who played Pipsi, a close friend of Homi Bhabha, has less to do in comparison to the first season, but she also gets her moments at a critical juncture.

The biggest strength of Rocket Boys Season 2 is the humane touch that director Abhay Pannu brings to the table. One example of this is how the director deals with the political undertones of the plot.

For instance, there are scenes showcasing the struggle of Indira Gandhi (Charu Shankar) post the death of her father Jawaharlal Nehru.

The entire process of Indira Gandhi coming to terms with her father’s death has been portrayed with a lot of sensitivity. Charu Shankar is impressive in capturing the spirit of Indira Gandhi. She brings in the required authority.

Humane touch in characters

The arguments between Ishwak and Jim Sarbh, though fierce, never get into the shrill territory.

The turbulent interpersonal relationship between them has been brought out well by the director. In spite of their great scientific achievements, they don’t come across as superheroes at any point.

On certain occasions, we see them vulnerable to provocations and also not shying away from their weaknesses.

The scenes between Vikram and Mrinalini Sarabhai are another major highlight of the series.

Their marriage is under severe strain because of Sarabhai’s long absences from home and his other attractions.

Still, Mrinalini doesn’t come across as a nagging wife at any point. She has her own ambitions of becoming a classical dancer.

There is certain assertiveness to the character which is refreshing to watch. Regina does a fantastic job of capturing the feistiness of Mrinalini. She has effectively portrayed the vulnerable moments of the character.

Impressive technical team

Season 2 also benefits from a very impressive technical team.

The cinematography by Harshvir Oberoi is successful in transporting the viewers back to that era with the frames being perfectly in sync with the nature of the story without overriding the content.

The sound design by Subhash Sahoo is also top-notch. A special mention must also be made of the show’s theme music, which is an absolute winner.

Falters at some places

The positive being told, there are certain areas where the series falters.

Primarily, the characterisation of the young Dr APJ Abdul Kalam could have been better written.

Also, some of the supporting characters come across as more of TV serial villains which are not in sync with the tonality of the show.

Particularly those played by Namit Das and KC Shankar.

Jim Sarbh, Ishwak take centrestage

The performances by Jim Sarbh and Ishwak are simply terrific.

There is no dull moment whenever Jim is on screen. He gets ample opportunities to be a charmer which Jim pulls off with ease. He is equally good in the more intense bits.
The scene leading to the death of Homi Bhabha has an emotional poignancy that stays with the audience for a long time.

Ishwak Singh’s part is less colourful but the young actor makes his presence felt.

He is particularly good in the vulnerable bits with his wife. He is successful in bringing out the zen-like attitude of Vikram Sarabhai.

Saba Azad enters pretty late but she does hold her own in the few scenes that she has got.

A special mention must be made of the intense scene where she questions the futility of war.

Dibyendu Bhattacharya is also in form, as a misunderstood scientist who has to prove his innocence.

Verdict

In a nutshell Rocket Boys Season 2 is a worthy tribute to the two great scientists. What elevates this underdog story is the humane touch that the director brings.

Mumbai Diaries Season 1

The horrors of 26/11 are something that has a deep emotional impact even today. Not surprisingly various filmmakers have chosen this topic and have weaved films or in this case a web series around it. For example there is Ramgopal Varma’s 26/11 which dealt with how the terrorists travelled and launched several attacks at various places in South Mumbai. There is also Hotel Mumbai which was about a hotel staff risking their lives to save the frightened guests from the terrorist’s attacks. Out of these two Hotel Mumbai fared better in dealing with the subject.

Directors Nikhil Advani and Nikhil Gonsalves pen a fictional story around the real incidents and place it in a crowded, chaotic and low- on resources government hospital. The doctors and the nurses here are stretched to their limits as victims of gunshots are wheeled in one after another on the night of November 26. However Mumbai Diaries is much more than just a medical thriller.

Yes medical professionals are at the core of the story but they are not the only people under the spotlight. Mumbai Diaries is about the spirit that the people showed on that particular day. It was a night where the city didn’t have the option of dozing off. It had to be on its toes to fight this unexpected attack.

Nikhil Advani and Gonsalves are successful in making a thriller that is both heartbreaking and heart stopping. It is a series which hits you in the guts and makes you applaud the courage and determination that both men and women showed in the face of death.

The series begins off with the introduction of surgeon Kaushik Oberoi (Mohit Raina). He is a workaholic professional who loves taking on challenges but with the tendency of flaunting rules and regulations in the line of duty. The hospital’s chief played by Prakash Belawadi has issues with Kaushik but he still supports him as Kaushik is a highly efficient doctor. The second most important character in the hospital is that of Chitra Das (Konkana Sen Sharma). She is someone who has had a bad marriage; Chitra is struggling to get rid of scars that have left an impact both in her mind and heart. But she isn’t someone who let’s that come in her way of duty. Chitra does her job with utmost seriousness and never shies away from fighting for what she believes is right.

On that fateful day three trainers come to work under Kaushik Oberoi. These are Divya Parek (Natasha Bardhwaj), Sujata Ajawale (Mrunmayee Deshpande) and Ahan Mirza (Satyajit Dubey). Out of these three Divya Parek comes from a privileged section as her grandfather had funded a key wing of the hospital. Alongside the hospital there is also a five star hotel under attack.

An important part of Mumbai Diaries is how the directors deal with the media’s ethically questionable choices. This is presented through the character of Mansi Hirani ( Shreya Dhanwarthy). Mansi is someone with a single minded agenda of chasing scoops. In order to achieve her goal she puts herself and also others at risk. Through her character the directors make some valid points, the redemption arc of Mansi has also been done well.

Another good thing about the series is the restraint that has been shown. The series never pits one nation against another or one religion against other. It is about terror versus humanity. Mumbai Diaries never loses sight of the emotions that are at play.

The female characters of the show are something that can easily have a show of their own. The two female characters that particularly stand out are that of Konkana Sen Sharma and Nitya Bardhwaj.

The etching of the characters is another applause worthy point. There are no superheroes here. All of them come with their own inner demons and are forced to confront them. They all have their backs to the walls both professionally and personally.

Mumbai Diaries is crowded with lot of actors and each of them have their moment. The ones who stand out are Mohit Raina, Konkana Sen Sharma, Nitya Bardhwaj and Satyajit Dubey. Mumbai Diaries is a web show which should been on the top of your list.