Saiyaara fame Aneet Padda delivers another stellar act as a sexual assault victim. The core plot of religious men exploiting young women is nothing new. Prakash Jha’s Aashram with Bobby Deol hinged on the same skeleton. But Hunkkar benefits from mostly solid writing and a pitch perfect cast. The central themes of victim scrutiny and blind religious devotion has been excellently crafted. The series also benefits from Raghubir Yadav as the sinister godman. The veteran actor portrays the role with a chilling calmness never becoming an over-the-top caricature
Starcast: Aneet Padda, Raghubir Yadav, Fatima Sana Sheikh, Rajesh Sharma, Charu Shankar, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub, Arjun Mathur and others
Genre: Drama/thriller
Directors: Karan D Kapadia, Nitya Mehra and Heeraz Marfatia
Writers: Heeraz Marfatia, Sourabh Ratnu, Karan D Kapadia and others
Creators: Nitya Mehra and Karan D Kapadia
Cinematography: Kabir Tejpal and Kavin Jagitani
Producers: Ashi Dua, Karan D Kapadia and Deepak Sehgel
Production Companies: Applause Entertainment, Birla Studios etc
Episodes: 6
Streaming site: Disney+Hotstar
Godmen have an unfathomable power over their devotees. There is an unwavering loyalty and this has been explored in numerous movies and also web shows. Hunkkar is the latest addition to this genre of questioning blind faith and unraveling a certain mask. The story in simple terms focuses on a seventeen-year-old Meenu Rawat (Aneet Padda in another solid act). The web series begins with her going to the police station accompanied by the parents. Meenu files a report of being sexually assaulted by Raghubir Yadav’s Sunil Chakoski. The long wait for justice coupled with the society’s attitude forms the main core of this six-episode series.
The strong aspect of Hunkkar is its exploration of the frustrating legal system and society slut shaming a sexual assault victim. There is a scene of Meenu eating Paani Puri in the market, a simple act of having chaat becomes a window to abuse the victim. The absurd logic is that how she can do normal things when rape has happened. The fear of Meenu’s parents played by a brilliant Rajesh Sharma and Charu Sankar capture this perfectly too.
However, the biggest masterstroke is the character design of Sunil Chakosi. The easier route would have been to present him in an overtly theoretical manner, case in point Mithin Chakraborthy in O my God. But thankfully the makers don’t take that path. The evilness of Chakosi comes largely from Raghubir Yadav’s measured performance. The restraint shown by the actor makes his villainy doubly effective.
Mention must also be made of Fatima Sana Sheikh’s ACP Jasleen Soni. There is a strong inner determination to get justice for Meenu; this has been brought out wonderfully by the actress.
The web series also explores the conflict between pursuing truth and editorial choices. Arjun Mathur as Amitabh Sinha represents the rebel side often putting his foot down and pursuing justice. This track suffers somewhat from lack of meat, nevertheless it has its highs.
But there are two tracks which don’t work at all. One is Zoya Hussain as Shivani. Shivani is an important part of Sunil Chakoski’s inner circle, her tensed equation with the godman’s son doesn’t add much to the proceedings.
Ram Kapoor as the lawyer defending Sunil Chakoski is also given a stereotypical role. The actor is his usual competent self, but it often appears like he jumped from the sets of Jolly LLB 3 to this.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub as the underdog lawyer fares much better with his understated but highly effective act. The actor brings in some much-needed energy during the courtroom proceedings. His face offs with Ram Kapoor have been solidly written and enacted.
Aneet Padda as Meenu delivers a stellar act as already mentioned. The actress had shot this series before Saaiyara and from both these performances it’s clear that she has a very bright future.
Final word: Hunkkar is a worthy roar and definitely worth watching for fans of social dramas