Srikant Meka’s portrayal of a vulnerable yet determined lawyer largely anchors the show. The senior actor gets solid support from Ananya Sharma. As the female co-counsel Ananya pulls off the feisty nature well. Their dynamics bear a striking resemblance to Kesari 2, still the portions featuring the two gives the show some of its best moments. Objection My Lord isn’t groundbreaking relying on familiar tropes like the politician son being a spoilt brat. Keeping the cliches aside the show gives an important message on consent and how sex workers are also humans with feelings
Starcast: Srikant Meka, Ananya Sharma, Mukesh Rishi, Sameer and others
Genre: Courtroom drama
Based on: Sattamum Needhiyum
Director: Santhosh Ayyapaan
Writers: Raj Kumar Akella, Suryaa etc
Music: Arun Chiluveru
Cinematography: Suryaa
Producer: Raj Kumar Akella
Production house: Dream House
No of episodes: 7
Streaming site: Zee 5
Objection My Lord streaming on Zee 5 is a mishmash of numerous Indian courtroom dramas. Of course, the base of this series is the Tamil one Sattamum Needhiyum. But even those who haven’t seen the Tamil web show would be reminded of past movies exploring similar themes of social apathy and fight for justice. In spite of knowing how the story would unfold there is a certain thrill in seeing the underdog lawyer win. Objection My Lord major strength is the characterization of Srikant coupled with his act. But this is something which I will expand on later. First the story in brief. The series begins with a man called Narayana setting himself on fire. The reason for the suicide is the judicial system indifference. Srikant Meka is Parashuram, a former lawyer who has quit practice and now doing the job of a notary. There is a tragic professional flashback associated with Parashuram, however certain events lead to Parshuram putting on the black coat again. Ananya Sharma is Vedha, she is Parshuram’s protégée/co-counsel. Mukesh Rishi plays the opposition lawyer on excepted lines.
A bring strength of Objection My Lord is its gradual unravelling of different layers. The backstory story of late Narayana and the estranged daughter Sameera runs simultaneously as Parashuram and Vedha are connecting the dots. As a viewer you are engrossed on what led to Narayana to take such an extreme step and whether Sameera is alive or not.
At one point the viewers feel that Narayana cannot be trusted wholly when his backstory of a mental hospital is revealed. Of course, for those who have seen the Tamil show this holds lesser surprises. Still the engaging screenplay coupled with the performances keep you hooked.
The web series takes a solid turn when Parashuram and Vedha finally trace Sameera. Here we get the angle of sex workers through the eyes of Sameera. She is cheated by her ex-boyfriend and sold off to a brothel.
The physical and mental assault she goes because of a politician’s son and his friends has been written in a poignant manner. The importance of consent even if it’s a sex worker has come out in an impactful manner in the concluding portions.
Srikant Meka as already said is one of the shows main pillars. His Parshuram is a far cry from a typical flamboyant and larger than life lawyer. He is often ridiculed; it also doesn’t help that the man suffers from low self-esteem. But certain circumstances lead him to become a lawyer again. Srikant Meka aces the transformation of Parashuram making the viewers root for the protagonist’s win. Whether its the portion of nervous breakdown or the strong fighting spirit the senior actor doesn’t miss a single beat.
Ananya Sharma as Vedha is confidence personified, the young actress more than holds her own opposite Srikant. The best aspect of Vedha is that she isn’t afraid to speak her mind acting as an important catalyst. A specific mention must be made of the scene where Vedha saves herself from the bad guys with pepper spray. Ananya in short pulls off Ananya’s feisty nature well. Mukesh Rishi’s role falls under the category of a stereotypical opposition lawyer. Still, he has a commanding presence making the courtroom battle engaging. The rest of the cast have their moments too especially Snehal Kamat as Sameera. Her breakdown scene in the show’s final episode is touching.
The production design of Bramha Kadali is solid, the courtroom settings have an authentic nature. Arun Chiluveru’s songs contribute effectively to the emotional core.
Objection My Lord suffers from two major issues. One is the cliched portrayal of a politician son and his friends. Its high time that filmmakers move away from portraying ministers’ sons as spoilt brats, it’s becoming highly caricaturist. Another big flaw is the severely underwritten family dynamics. Parashuram’s strained relationship with the son comes across as a filler contributing nothing to the story
Final word: Objection My Lord is worth watching for its societal undertones provided you are in the mood for a serious subject