Category: Hindi Webseries Reviews

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Matka King: A layered tale of socio-political commentary

Nagraj Mangule’s Matka King has a distinct hangover of Hansal Mehta’s Scam. Both in terms of atmospherics as well as the characterization of the central protagonist. Having said that series does a good job in exploring the origin of Matka. Vijay Verma’s Brij Bhatti aiming to challenge the class divisions through this game and how it eventually became a parallel economy. In the current age of illegal betting apps, the web series has a contemporary feel

Starcast: Vijay Varma, Sai Tamhankar, Kritika Kamra, Siddarth Jadav, Gulshan Grover and others

Genre: Crime/drama

Writer: Abbay Koranne

Director: Nagraj Mangule

Cinematography: Sudhakar Reddy

Producers: Nagraj Mangule, Siddarth Roy Kapur etc

Production Companies: Roy Kapoor Films, SMR Entertainment etc

Theme song: Ajay Jayanthi

No of episodes: 8

Streaming site: Amazon Prime

Stories of crime with gray protagonists make for a fascinating viewing. The reason being as human beings we generally have shades of both white and black. Movies like Deewar and Satya are solid examples of these. In 2024 there was the Karuna Kumar directorial Matka also touching upon a real life Matka gambler but the game in that was just a plot device. Nagraj Mangule’s Matka King not surprisingly does a far better job in exploring the social context of Matka.

Matka King’s story in brief focuses on the rise of Vijay Varma’s Brij Batti. How he turns the betting game into a household obsession forms the main core of Matka King. The web series also looks at the moral decay of Brij. From wanting to build a fair system for the common man to getting consumed by greed and power. Simultaneously there is also the rise of underworld represented through Vineet Kumar Singh’s Darab Ahmed Wadkar.

A strong aspect of Matka King are its lived-in atmospherics. A major credit for that goes to cinematographer Sudhakar Reddy. The texture of 60’s Mumbai has a lived-in feel whether its the gambling dens or the trading hubs. Both the allure and the grit have been wonderfully captured by the cinematographer. The production design coupled with the costumes further add to the immersive experience. There isn’t much scope for music, but the theme song has a catchy feel.

Another strong aspect of Matka King is the central character of Vijay Varma. The role of Bhatti is layered with different nuances. How he gradually ascends the social ladder and the moral descent has been superbly captured in both the writing as well as the acting. There is a crucial line by Sai Tamhankar when she says to Brij on how he isn’t completely bad, therefore it’s difficult to dislike him fully. This pretty much sums up the character of Brij Batti. Matka King also benefits from well written women characters. Sai Tamhankar as the wife isn’t a typical helpless spouse. The character Barkha strongly asserts herself when required. Vijay and Sai Tamhankar have some solidly written confrontation scenes.

Similarly, Kritika Kamra playing a widow striving for her own autonomy is also well written and enacted. Much like Sai Tamhankar’s Barkha Kritika’ s Gulrak also comes with a certain agency, and this is reflected in numerous scenes. Siddarth Jadav as Dagdu is another actor who stands out. Dagdu starts off as loyal but soon things take a turn when he feels cheated by his master. Siddarth Jadav does an excellent job in pulling off the different nuances.

Mention must also be made of how Nagraj Manjule and Abbay Koranne have used the game of Matka. Matka becomes a symbolism of restless India with people wanting to make a quick buck in the absence of equal opportunities. When we look at today’s age of illegal betting aps clearly nothing much has changed. This adds an important social layer to Matka King taking it beyond a tale of one man’s rise.

Coming to the flaw’s certain tracks function as a buildup to season 2. The extended cameo of Vineet Kumar Singh is a perfect example of this. Vineet Kumar Singh gets the swag of an underworld don right on spot, but the writing needed to be much better. There is also the subplot of emergency not adding much to the web show. Also, the significant hangover of Scam will act as a deterrent for some.

Final word: Matka King is worth watching for fans of gritty crime dramas and of course Vijay Verma’s admirers.

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Maamla legal Hai (season 2): Jolly LLB of OTT

Much like the first season MLH season two does a good job in mixing satire and social commentary. At the same time this season is more emotional while maintaining the humorous tone. Ravi Kishan continues to lead from the front this time with a different character arc. As a judge grappling with the burden of making tough decisions the actor is excellent

Starcast: Ravi Kishan, Nidhi Bisht, Naila Grewal, Anant Joshi, Dibyendu Bhattacharya and others

Director: Rahul Pandey

Writers: Kunal Aneja, Mohak Aneja, Shadan Syed , Tatsat Pandey etc

Genre: Comedy/drama

Producers: Sameer Saxena, Saurabh Khanna, Biswapati Sarkar and Amit Golani

Production house: Posham Pa pictures

Cinematography: Miling Jong

No of episodes: 8

Streaming site: Netflix

For those who haven’t seen Maamla Legal Hai season 1 the plot revolved around the quirky world of Patparganj. The series tackled a wide range of cases based on newspaper reports flashed at the end of each episode. For example, there was one involving a divorce. The husband wants to divorce his wife just because she doesn’t feel shy on their wedding night. Apart from this the web series touched upon different aspects like the connubial rights of prisoners etc. Apart from the witty writing and direction the series also benefitted immensely from the ensemble cast especially Ravi Kishan and Nidhi Bist. Now you have season two also set in Patparganj but with different dynamics.

MLH season two is primarily about the transition of Ravi Kishan’s VD Tyagi. From a street-smart advocate he has turned into a judge. At the same time the trio of lawyers represented by Nidhi Bist, Naila Grewal etc are dealing with a range of cases which are as messy as their personal lives. The interpersonal rivalries especially the one between Naila Grewal and the new entrant Kusha Kapila also forms an important part of MLH season two.

A major strength of MLH 2 season two is the characterization of Ravi Kishan coupled with his solid act. Unlike the first season the flamboyance of Ravi Kishan is more toned down as VD Tyagi is trying to be more serious. His equation with the old acquittances undergoes a strain. The internal struggles of VD tyagi forms the spine of this Rahul Pandey directorial. The scenarios lend itself naturally to both comedy as well as emotional depth. Thankfully this transition lands giving the show some of its best moments.

A special mention must be made of the episode titled “Beyond reform”. VD Tyagi gets through a major inner turmoil before pronouncing the judgement of death by hanging. Ravi Kishan is especially good in a break down preceding this, he eventually decides that being a judge is not his cup of tea.

Coming to the funny portions season 2 offers plenty of laughs this time too. For example, there is a marital case with a very orthodox mother-in-law, and the wife is fed up of her demanding ways. Additionally, the husband doesn’t stand up for her. It’s not that the spouse doesn’t love his wife, but he is afraid to question his mother,

How the husband finds spine amidst a lot of chaos is both well written and enacted. Mention must also be made of a young boy who aspires to be a gangster. The characters played by Neila Grewal, Anant Joshi and Kusha Kapila struggle a lot to change his mind. Eventually the youngster decides to focus on studies after witnessing a particular incident. The scenes here too are laced with humor.

MLH season two also benefits from the scenes of rivalry between Niela Grewal and Kusha Kapila. Kusha Kapila represents a more media savvy breed of lawyer’s profession. The friction between the two has some impactful moments as well.

An underlying theme of MLH season two is negotiating a system which is imperfect at the same functional. Season 2 goes beyond the satirical tone of first one looking at the compromises and how justice in its true form is difficult to achieve so sometimes it has to be negotiated. The chaotic world of Patparganj district court continues to have a lived-in atmosphere. The messy ecosystem of lawyers, clerks, clients etc has a believable feel.

Apart from the splendid Ravi Kishan the ensemble cast also pitch in some fine performances. Niela Grewal especially stands out perfectly showcasing the evolution of Ananya from textbook notions of justice to absorbing shades of grey. Nidhi Bist continues to shine with her comic timing. Dibyendu Bhattacharya as another judge also makes his presence amply felt. His dynamics with Ravi Kishan especially a key confrontation is solidly written and enacted.

Much like the first season the personal life of VD Tyagi does come across as a speed breaker. A few tonal shifts could have been handled better but these are minor blips in an otherwise engaging show.

Final word: Maamla Legal Hai is a worthy follow up and for fans of legal satire definitely worth watching.

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Taskaree (The smugglers web): A layered cat and mouse game with moral ambiguities

Directors Neeraj Pandey and Raghav M Jairath shed light on the unexplored lives of custom officers. What majorly works for the show are the grey areas and the nuanced manner in which the characters have been written. Emraan Hashmi in his 2-point O Version blends in wonderfully coming up with a restrained but impactful act. The women characters also have substance

Starcast: Emraan Hashmi, Nandish Sandhu, Anurag Sinha, Amruta Khanvilkar, Zoya Afroz, Sharad Kelkar and others

Genre: Crime thriller

Creator, director and writer: Neeraj Pandey

Additional writer: Vipul K. Rawal

Cinematography: Sudheer Palsane and Arvind Singh

Music: Advait Nemlekar

Producer: Shital Bhatia

Production Company: Friday Storytellers

No of episodes: 7

Streaming site: Netflix

Stories about men and women officers have been explored umpteen times. However, Taskaree (The smugglers web) is a different beast from the narratives we have experienced previously whether it’s on big screen or OTT. A big reason for the freshness is the airport backdrop becoming a major character in itself. After watching Taskaree, the viewers are sure about to ponder about the happenings behind the baggage belts.

Taskaree in brief focuses on the fight of Emraan Hashmi’s Arjun Meena and co against international smuggling rackets. The setting is Mumbai International Airport a place mostly associated with fan selfies etc. But here we see a completely different side. Sharad Kelkar plays the primary antagonist Bada Choudhary, however Bada Choudhary is not the only villain here. He is aided by a few more especially a person from the custom office.

For most part of Taskaree viewers are kept in suspense about the identity of informers as well as the ones working for Bada Choudhary. This is a major strength of this seven-episode saga. The show also benefits immensely from a non-fussy approach regarding the crime operations.

There is nothing flashy or heavily dramatic about the smuggling of goods. Routine baggage checks with bribed officials among other things give a sense of realism. The web series also does a fine job in not caricaturing people. The struggles of custom officers in dealing with family responsibilities, career stagnation etc lends a moral ambiguity.

The web series also gives an insight into how criminals are not always born out of a twisted mind. Sometimes it becomes a matter of survival where is no other resort. The perfect example of this is the angle of officials taking bribes.

As already mentioned the women characters have been written with substance. Whether it’s Amrita Khanvilkar as a single mother or Zoya Afroz as an airhostess turned informer. Both the actresses get solid parts, and they do a good job in portraying the different nuances.

Nandish Sandhu as Arjun’s confidante is solid too. He particularly shines in the emotional scenes. Anurag Sinha as the head of Arjun Meena has a character with different shades. Not much can be revealed since it will be spoilers, but the actor does a very fine job especially in a crucial reveal.

Emraan Hashmi has always been a proficient actor often undermined due to his serial kisser image. But as last year’s Haq showed the actor is having a resurgence with impactful roles. Taskaree is a solid addition to this. There is a controlled intensity to Arjun Meena and Emraan portrays that brilliantly. Sharad Kelkar as Bada Choudhary is understated yet very effective in bringing out the menace.

But the conclusion to the cat and mouse comes across as somewhat hurried. It could have done with more intensity. Similarly, a few passages could have been trimmed too. The rest of the cast are in fine form as well especially Jammel Khan in a twisted role.

Final word: Taskaree is a well-made crime thriller with a new concept. Definitely worth binge watching.

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Aspirants 3: A gripping tale of ideological clash

Unlike the last season which made a mess of the pertinent social issues. This one does a far superior job in tackling the themes of linguistic and cultural divide, political pressures, ethical dilemmas etc. The series also tackles the strained interpersonal dynamics with the character of DM Abhilash Sharma coming across as more of a grey shaded character.

Starcast: Naveen Kasturia, Jatin Goswami, Shivankit Singh Parihar, Abhilash Thapliyal, Sunny Hinduja, Tengam Celine and Namita Dubey

Genre: Drama

Director and writer: Deepesh Sumitra Jagdish

Additional writers: Anurag Goswami, Anurag Ramesh Shukla etc

Music: Sangeet Haldipur and Siddharth Haldipur

Cinematography: Sreechith Vijayan Damodar

Producer: Shreyansh Pandey and Arunabh Kumar

Production Company: The Viral Fever (TVF)

No of episodes: 5

Streaming site: Amazon Prime

The production house of TVF has created a strong identity with its heartland stories whether its Panchayat or Kota Factory among others. There is a relatability factor to the characters. The web series Aspirants is no different. The first season of Aspirants focused on the struggles of UPSC students in cracking the exams. At the center of the story are the characters played by Naveen Kasturia, Shivankit Singh Parihar and Abhilash Thapliyal. Season two on the other hand focused on the rise of Naveen Kasturia’s DM Abhilash Sharma and the trickly balance of professional career with personal relationships. On the side there was also the subplot of protesting villagers. This was dealt in an extremely haphazard manner making them come across as semi villains. However, the series wasn’t a complete washout with some well written tracks especially Abhilash journey as a district magistrate.

Like season 2 season 3 also juggles between different timelines. One of them is Abhilash facing an enquiry on showing favoritism to his friend Guri (Shivankit Singh Parihar). The complaint was filed by Sunny Hinduja’s Sandeep Baya. Sandeep was once upon a senior to Abhilash and co. Now he is the Assistant labor commissioner. However, the heart of season 3 is the rivalry between Naveen Kasturia and Jatin Goswami’s Pawan Kumar. Pawan has been a rival of Abhilash since the days of Rajendra Nagar and that has only grown. This is mainly because of their different ideologies in going about their job. Pawan comes from Hindi medium, and this is where the show’s theme of linguistic divide comes in.

A major strength of third season are the scenes involving Naveen and Jatin Goswami. The social angle of both class and language divide has come out in a strong manner. The two have a very different way of handling things leading to an intense rivalry. The arguments between the two on emotional approach versus practical gives the show its best moments. Jatin Goswami nails the insecurities of a student who has risen from Hindi medium and does not want others to suffer like him. The actor especially shines in a crucial dramatic monologue.

Mention must also be made of the changed dynamics between the three friends. This particularly comes out well in the attitude of Abhilash Thapliyal’s SK. There is a brilliant scene where SK pours out his anger on Abhilash being emotionally unavailable when he needed him the most. The anguish is palpable and the actor absolutely nails it. Having said that the viewers get the impression of Abhilash being too easily forgiven.

Nevertheless, how power and position can have a big impact on old friendships has been well explored by Deepesh Sumitra Jagadish. Naveen Kasturia’s role had shades of grey in the second season but in this season that aspect has been fully explored. The moral dilemmas and the fight to maintain position has been well portrayed by Naveen Kasturia. As the third friend Shivankit Singh Parihar also lends solid support.

The harsh realities of administration with corruption allegations and ethical compromises is another key aspect of 3. Both the director and the writers have done complete justice to it. Mention must also be made of the love story between Abhilash and Tengam Celine’s Deepa. The role of Deepa has been etched much better here as a vulnerable past aspirant and now confident IPS officer. Tengam does complete justice to her role. The lovey Dovey scenes like the one in the hospital shows a different facet of Abhilash bringing a smile to the viewer’s face.

Among the rest Sunny Hinduja in spite of a brief role makes his presence amply felt. He particularly shines in an important conversation with Naveen Kasturia. Coming to music Lamhe Lamhe makes for a soulful tune elevating the emotional core.

Final word: Aspirants season 3 is a solid comeback for TVF after the middling season of Panchayat four and Aspirants 2.

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Kohrra Season 2: A solid whodunit with societal aspects

Creator, writer director Sudip Sharma delivers a slow burn but immersive thriller. More than the crime the focus is on systematic exploitation. How crimes don’t happen in isolation and is often connected to the power structures has come out in a gripping manner. Themes like caste and gender among others has been dealt in a nuanced manner too.

Starcast: Mona Singh, Barun Sobti, Ranvijay Singh, Anurag Arora etc

Genre: Thriller/drama

Creator, writer and director: Sudip Sharma

Additional writers: Gunjit Chopra and Diggi Sisodia

Additional director: Faisal Rehman

Cinematography: Isshan Gosh

Producers: Saurabh Malhotra, Sudip Sharma etc

Production companies: Act three productions and Film Squad Productions

No of episodes: 6

Streaming site: Netflix

Kohrra season 1 released in 2023 was a compelling whodunit with impactful social commentary. Through the murder of an NRI the plot dwelled into drug addiction, the class divide between the elite and the marginalized etc. The second season of Kohrra with the gap of three years pretty much follows the same blueprint but with some additional angles. The inclusion of Mona Singh as sub inspector Dhanwant Kaur brings in a fresh dimension. This is something which I will elaborate on later.

The story of Kohrra season 2 much like the first one begins with a murder. A woman called Preeti Bajwa has been assassinated. Preeti is an NRI, she has returned back to live with her family but ends up as a dead body. What begins off as a regular investigation unearths several secrets. This is the story in brief.

A strong aspect of Kohrra season 2 is the portrayal of different social themes backed with strong writing and performances. One of them is patriarchy and greed. This especially comes out in the scenes of disputes over ancestral property. In spite of legal rights not all women get their rights due to male entitlement and patriarchy. This has come out in an excellent manner as the investigation deepens.

Kohraa 2 also does a solid job in addressing internalized patriarchy. How fellow women ensure that the traditional gender roles aren’t disturbed for securing their own identity has come out in a chilling manner. There is a key moment in the sixth episode related to the murder mystery. Not much details can be given here but how Preeti Bajwa is painted by a fellow woman is a perfect example of how patriarchy is enabled by women equally.

A special mention must also be made of how the web show portrays the machinery of bonded labor. How migrant workers coming from different states are trapped by invisible prisons is impactful too. Their existence being just reduced to labor and a certain indifference towards their sufferings adds an important layer.

The spine of Kohraa season 2 though is the dynamics between Mona Singh and Barun Sobti. Unlike the first season here Barun Soti’s character Garundi takes a while to develop a camaraderie. Mona Singh being a female inspector becomes a hindrance in the beginning but gradually things change with both of them even joking about their emotional upheavals. There is no forced banter here with the lighter moments flowing organically.

Mona Singh’s Dhanwant Kaur belongs to the school of Rani Mukherjee’s Mardaani. Much like Shivani Shivaji Roy from that universe Dhanwant Kaur is also a perfect mix of emotional vulnerability and strong fighting spirit. Dhanwant Kaur faces multiple battles weather it’s her crumbling marriage, a hostile workplace questioning her authority because she is a woman among others. Mona Singh does a splendid job in portraying the different shades of Dhanwant. A special mention must be made of the scene where she gives back to her senior officer when he questions her dedication. Barun Sobti too is solid as Garundi, like Mona Singh he does a fine job in portraying the different nuances. The best thing about the two characters is that they are never reduced to mere archetypes.

The supporting cast is equally effective in maintaining the mystery. The likes of Ranvijay Singh and Anurag Arora in particular make their presence amply felt. The cinematography of Isshaan Singh also plays a key role in enhancing the proceedings. He does a swell job in capturing rural Punjab with all its shades. The atmospherics have a lived-in feel. There is a slight detour when the scene shifts to Himachal Pradesh. The shift may feel abrupt for some, but it offers a freshness in terms of a new setting.

An underling theme of Kohrra Season 2 are the systems which enable the crime and how delivering justice is only confined to that particular case.

Final word: Kohrra season 2 is a worthy follow up in spite of a few pacing problems. For fans of well-made slow burn thrillers the series is a must watch.

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Freedom At Midnight Season 2: An introspective history lesson on partitions aftermath

Nikhil Advani along his writers give an important reminder on the very foundation of our constitution. The consequences of partition felt even today is depicted in a hard-hitting manner. The stellar cast led by Siddhant Gupta is top notch

Starcast: Siddhant Gupta, Rajendra Chawla, Chirag Vohra, Arif Zakaria Luke MC Gibney and others

Genre: Historical drama

Director and creator: Nikhil Advani

Writers: Divy Nidhi Sharma, Revantha Sarabhai etc

Producers: Nikhil Advani and Madhu Bojwani

Production houses: Studio Next &Emmay Entertainment

Music: Ashutosh Patak

Cinematography: Malay Prakash

No of episodes: 7

Streaming site: SonyLiv

There is a very poignant moment in Freedom At Midnight season 2 when Chirag Vohra’s Mahatma Gandhi expresses his anguish over divided India. It goes like this “How you divide pain soaked into the soil? How do you divide regret?”. This is one of the many introspective moments in this solid follow up. The second season takes a deep dive into the human paradox of freedom. As a nation we were free on paper with new filled hopes: but the triumph of freedom came with a huge cost something which we need to remember as a nation especially in today’s politically divisive environment.

For those who haven’t seen season 1 this web series is based on a significant novel of the same name. This elaborately detailed work was written by Larry Collins and Dominquie Lapierre. It was centered around partition with the complex scenarios faced by Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabai Patel and of course Mahatma Gandhi among others. Nikhil Advani did a fantastic job in portraying the leaders with their contradictions.

Season 2 also follows this blueprint. This time around the focus is on the division of India leading to terrible consequences. The loss of humanity with friends becoming foes and the bloodbath that followed forms a major part of Freedom At Midnight Season 2. The series also looks at the mismanagement from both India and Pakistan as the scenarios quickly spiraled out of control.

A strong aspect of Freedom At Midnight Season 2 is how it never romanticizes independence. Nikhil Advani doesn’t shy away from showing the disturbing reality. How the nation became fragile with huge communal and religious divide comes out in a stark manner.

There is a scene where Siddhant Gupta’s Jawaharlal Nehru says in this new India nothing will be decided on the basis of religion. Ek azaad, secular Hindustan ki pehchan sirf insaaniyat hogi”. This is followed by Sardar Vallabhai Patel looking at Nehru with hope as well as unspoken fears.

This foundation of secular Hindustan is something that we have forgotten thanks to the current political environment and certain films which have aided this. Mention must also be made of how the series depicts the character of Radcliffe the man responsible for drawing the line. There are scenes of Radcliffe pleading with Mountbatten on how he knows nothing about the geography and the people of India. But Mountbatten is hell bent that Radcliffe should be the one and also there shouldn’t be much delay. It’s hard to not feel for the situation which Radcliffe finds himself in.

The moments of conflict between Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabai Patel has also come out in an excellent manner. Both Nehru and Vallabai Patel have different ideas regarding the running of governance leading to some showdowns. In spite of the bitter arguments between the two it never takes a venomous side. There is a moment post Gandhi’s death where Vallabai Patel faces an accusation and Jawharlal Nehru stands up for the senior statesmen.

Chirag Vohra as Gandhi is another highlight of the second season. The questions that he asks about the consequences of partition and his firm belief in the method of Ahimsa gives the show some of its best moments.

Arif Zakaria’s Jinnah is mostly a bitter person but even he too gets moments of humanness. The best example of this is his conversation with Jawaharlal Nehru on how the immense bloodshed was never his intention. There is a genuine regret in the voice. There is also an important portion when Jinnah has to leave Bombay post partition. His mood is very much cranky when seeing the house filled with half closed cartons. In an angry tone he asks the sister Fatima Jinnah (underutilized but effective Ira Dubey) on what the hell is happening. She replies that they are going home. There is a certain emptiness in the eyes of Jinnah brilliantly portrayed by Arif Zakaria.

Ashutosh Patak’s music like the first season is haunting here too. They perfectly encapsulate the human tragedy. The cinematography of Malay Prakash is first rate as well. He successfully brings alive the big scale on which the series has been mounted. There is a lived-in feel to the atmospherics.

On the performances front both Siddhant Gupta and Rajendra Sharma are top notch in their respective parts. They lead the acting department with their excellent performances. The talented Siddhant Gupta brings alive Nehru’s determination as well as portraying the internal and external conflicts with authenticity. Rajendra Sharma as the no nonsense Vallabai Patel brings in the required authority in the confrontation scenes with Siddhanth. At the same time, he aces the emotional scenes too. Mention must also be made of Abhishek Benarjee in an extended special appearance. He is both a victim and perpetrator of the riots. His confrontation scene with Chirag Vohra is an example of some solid acting.

Final word: Freedom At Midnight Season 2 is a much-needed history lesson, to learn from our past mistakes and not repeat.

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The Family Man Season 3: A formidable follow up with bigger stakes

Directors Raj &DK, Suman Kumar and Tusshar Seyth do a good job in depicting the complexities of northeast. Like the previous seasons here too the characters come with shades of black and white. Yes, the series doesn’t quite match up to the previous ones nevertheless there is a lot to enjoy. The performances led by the ever-reliable Manoj Bajpayee and Jaideep Ahlawat deserve a special mention.

Starcast: Manoj Bajpayee, Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharib Hashmi, Nimrat Kaur, Priyamani and others

Genre: Thriller/drama

Directors: Raj &DK, Suman Kumar and Tusshar Seyth

Creator and writer: Raj &DK

Producers: Raj&DK

Production Company: D2R Films

Music: Sachin-Jigar, Ketan Sodha

Cinematographer: Jay Charola

Streaming site: Amazon Prime

No of episodes: 7

Before dissecting the third season of Family Man it’s necessary to acknowledge how much the representation of Northeast has changed. From a visual prop to now a living and breathing entity. The specialty of The Family Man series has always been a certain grounded nature with a relatable protagonist. In Season 3 there is a moment where Manoj Bajpayee finally reveals his real job nature to the family. The grown-up son played by an endearing Vedant Sinha has an exciting reaction saying do you have a code name like Tiger, lion etc. Srikant replies that he works for the intelligence and not circus. This simple but effective conversation sums up why The Family Man series has always been special differing vastly from YRF’s route of fantasy spy heroes.

Without giving much away season 3 focuses on a new project called Sahakkar. The aim is to help the northeast states who are deprived of development and peace with the common man suffering the most. However, things take a dramatic turn due to some bomb blasts putting the project on temporary hold.

Manoj Bajpayee’s Srikant Tiwari and Dalip Tahil as NIA chief Gautam Kulkarni meet a very respected leader David Khuzou (Sunil Thapa) to bring the project back on track. However, a major obstacle comes in the form of Jaideep Ahlawat’s Rukma. Rukma is a hit man and a drug baron but interestingly he doesn’t take drugs or drinks personally. Srikant Tiwari becomes a suspect due to certain circumstances. From being a respected spy, he becomes the most wanted man. This is the story in brief.

A strong aspect of season 3 is the humanistic lens through which the directors and writers have depicted complex political issues. The representation of northeast people and the state’s situation has a nuanced touch. Even the rebels headed by Paalin Kabak’s Stephen Khuzou are treated in a sympathetic manner. The ideological differences between Stephen and David in spite of the same goal has been both well written and enacted. At one point Srikant and men get shelter from Stephen in very dire circumstances. There are some heartfelt conversations between Srikant and Stephen when the latter opens about picking up a gun at a young age.

In more ways than one the viewers feel they are watching the continuation of Paatal Lok Season 2. This is also due to the presence of Jaideep Ahlawat this time on the other side of the fence. Yes, Paatal Lok Season 2 took a more layered look at the northeast complexities nevertheless what Family Man Season 3 pulls off is also commendable.

The locations of northeast become a major character in itself. It helps in shaping up the tension particularly in the sequences where Srikant and co are on the run. Cinematographer Jay Charola deserves a major appreciation for how he has captured the different moods of northeast landscape through his lens. The music composed by Sachin- Jigar along with Ketan Sodha has a nice northeast flavor adding to the authenticity.

Even the antagonists especially Jaideep Ahlawat has some interesting touches. Rukma can be extremely brutal brilliantly established in his intro: at the same time, he has a different side. This especially comes out in the portions with the girlfriend and the segment when he is trying to embrace fatherhood. Jaideep does a fantastic job as always pulling off the different shades with finesse.

Nimrat Kaur playing an elegant villain brings in the right amount of ruthlessness and charm There are some unsaid feelings in the portions featuring Jaideep and Nimrat. The writing here does fall short but the actors more than make up for it.

The depiction of family dynamics also deserves a mention. The falling marriage and Srikant’s exasperation at everything from bureaucracy to the children’s teenage moods have been wonderfully written and enacted. A special mention must be of a scene where Vedant Sinha’s Athrav patiently explains to his father about nonbinary terms and gen ze slangs in general. Srikant has a bemused, but earnest look on his face genuinely showing interest. As Srikant Manoj pulls off the various shades with his usual finesse. Whether its sarcasm, vulnerability and a fighting spirit even when everything is falling apart.

Sharib Hashmi returning as JK is in great form too. His humor as always is impeccable like the train scene featuring Paradha actor Raj Mayur. JK tries to present himself as a Telugu person leading to a hilarious cooked up story from Srikant. This portion is small but very entertaining. At the same time the scenes featuring JK and Srikant have an emotional resonance when Srikant opens up about a past mistake. JK comforts Srikant by saying that he should focus more on how to get out of the current mess. Mention must be also made of Vijay Sethupathi respiring his role from Farzi. It’s a short but a memorable cameo. The banter between Vijay and Manoj is a treat to watch.

As far as the flaws some subplots are left hanging. This includes the daughter being bullied at school for her opinions. Even the professional life of Priyamani’s Suchitra needed a better handling. Priyamani brings in an emotional heft though the writing doesn’t support her. The same applies to Seema Biswas playing the role of PM Basu. In comparison Shreya Dhanwanthary gets a better arc as the ambiguous Zoya, and she does a very good job. The series also tries to poke fun at the Alpha male image with Athrav taking advice from JK on how to impress his crush with macho methods. At the same time the sister drops in saying how typical is it of two males discussing what a female wants. This is an interesting thread to explore but the makers dump it midway.

Final word: The Family Man Season 3 is worth watching for its depiction of northeast complexities and of course if you are a fan of Manoj or Jaideep.

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Janaawar (The Beast Within): A hard-hitting tale of caste identity and crime

Janaawar directed by Sachindar Vats uses the framework of a murder mystery to explore the deep-rooted theme of caste prejudice faced by its central protagonist. The internal battles of Bhuvan Arora’s Hemanth gives the show some of its best moments. The atmospherics have a rooted feel making Janaawar one of the best shows in 2025. Sachindra Vats along with his fellow writers do absolute justice to the tagline

Starcast: Bhuvan Arora, Dheeksha K Sonalkar, Bhagwan Tiwari, Badrul Islam and others

Genre: Crime

Director: Sachindar Vats

Screenplay: Shreyas Lowelkar

Music: Sreejith Edavana

Cinematography: Rahul Nayak

Producers: Abhishek Rege, Harish Shah and Dinesh Khetann

Production Company: Aarambh Entertainment

No of episodes: 7

Streaming site: Zee 5

Sachindra Vats Janaawar (The Beast Within) is a perfect example of how to blend crime with powerful social commentary. The web series starts off as a regular whodunit but as the show progresses different layers come out. The struggles of Hemanth in balancing his duties as a husband and cop while dealing with his own caste identity adds an important layer. This angle uplifts the show significantly.

Without giving much away the storyline of Janaawar is set in a fictional town of Chhaand (Chhattisgarh) and follows the journey of sub inspector Hemanth (Bhuvan Arora). In the beginning episodes the wife shown to be pregnant. Hemanth has applied for a week long leave to take care of her. But a highly decomposed dead body in a deep forest cuts short Hemanth Plans. At the same time a local MLA lands up at the police station to report a case about his missing brother. To further compound the mystery the head of the decomposed body goes missing before it can be sent for forensics. This is the story in brief.

A strong aspect of Janaawar are its atmospherics. Even before the murder mystery kicks in an air of dread is palpable. A major reason for that is the cinematography and the score. Rahul Nayak does a very fine job in capturing the tense atmosphere through his lens especially the portions set in forest. The eerie nights will give chills to the viewers.

At the same time Sreejith Edvana’s score is suitably ominous amplifying the mystery. It perfectly complements the murder mystery investigation going Parrell with Hemanth’s personal life.

Mention must also be made of the scenes featuring Bhuvan Arora and Dheeksha Sonalkar. The husband-and-wife scenes are few, but they are filled with lot of warmth. It shows a different facet to Hemanth a caring husband. Although Hemanth is a sub inspector there is no getting away from his caste identity. This discrimination has come out well on numerous occasions.

While the murder mystery is going on the show also dwells into the power structure. This is brought through the roles of Hemanth’s senior officer and an MLA (Atul Kale and Alok Mishra). These characters aren’t just part of the crime narrative but a larger reflection of the social dynamics in that particular place.

The twists and turns are also solid even though things do get convoluted in the mid portions. The suspicion of who has done it and the reasons behind it keeps the viewers guessing. The ultimate revelation does complete justice to the show’s tagline which is how society and circumstances bring out both the good and bad within us.

The performances headed by Bhuvan Arora are solid. The role of Hemath is very different from what Bhuvan Arora has done so far, and the actor does complete justice to it. He portrays the different shades with finesse. A special mention must be made of the scenes where Hemanth talks about his caste identity and how in spite of a being a sub inspector nothing much has changed. As the wife Dheekha Sonalkar is successful in bringing out the inner strength in spite of the less screen time. Atul Kale and Alok Mishra make the biggest impression among the supporting cast.

Final word: Janaawar is definitely worth watching for those interested in mysteries going beyond the usual whodunits.

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The Ba***ds of Bollywood: Aryan Khan hits a sixer

Director Aryan Khan delivers a delightful whimsical ride backed with strong satire. The debut director doesn’t spare anyone, and this includes events from his real life too. It’s clear that Aryan has all the trappings of a successful mainstream director. He deserves appreciation for choosing an unconventional route when he could have easily been launched as a leading man

Starcast: Lakshya Lalwani , Raghav Juyal, Bobby Deol, Sahher Bambaa, Manoj Pahwa, Mona Singh, Anya Singh, Rajat Bedi, Manish Chaudhari and others

Genre: Satire

Creator, director and writer: Aryan Khan

Additional writers: Bilal Siddiqui and Manav Chauhan

Producer: Gauri Khan

Executive producers: Bonnie Jain and Akshat Verma

Production Company: Red Chilies Entertainment

Music: Sashwat Sachadeva and Anirudh Ravichander

Cinematography: Jay Pinak Oza

No of episodes: 7

Streaming site: Netflix

The Ba***ds of Bollywood directed by Aryan Khan could have been a feature film instead of a web series. The plot is hardcore masala with comedy, action, star crossed lovers and a mind-boggling twist that is sure to leave the viewers polarized. Much like Zoya Akhtar’s Luck By Chance The Ba***ds of Bollywood is a percipient take on the starry world of Bollywood. However, this goes a step ahead in dealing with the insider outsider debate, exploitative producers and the uncertain nature of fame among others.

Aryan Khan makes a smashing debut

The broad storyline of this web series revolves around Lakshya Lalwani’s Aasmaan Singh. An outsider with big dreams. His debut becomes a major hit making him a sensation. Soon, things start getting complicated. The web series focuses on how Aasmaan navigates this starry and unpredictable world with the help of a loving family. Raghav Juyal plays Aasmaan’s buddy and an important anchor. Anya Singh on the other hand is the loyal manager. Bobby Deol plays a huge star who isn’t happy with his daughter Karishma (Sahher Bambaa) getting close to Aasmaan and vice versa.

A strong aspect concerning The Ba***ds of Bollywood is the self-aware and whimsical tone. The web series is peppered with numerous real-life scenarios. For example, there is a newcomer’s roundtable clearly modelled on the 2019 Rajeev Masand’s Actors roundtable. There is a cheeky node to Siddhanth Chaturvedi roasting Ananya Pandey. Similarly, one of the extended cameos features Karan playing a movie mafia version inspired from Kangana Ranaut’s comment.

There is a hilarious banter between Ranveer and Karan connected to Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani. Karan talks to Ranveer about giving him a hit. Ranveer on the other hand replies back by saying he carried the movie on his shoulders.

Emraan Hashmi turns up as an intimacy coach, it’s a tip off to the actor’s famous real-life image. Raghav Juyal’s reaction on seeing Emraan is priceless. He bursts into an emotional state singing Emraan Hashmi’s famous songs. Emraan’s bewilderment on how to deal with this fan boy moment coupled with Raghav’s acting is brilliant.

Arshad Warsi as Gaffor Bai is used to represent the role of Mumbai underworld. The actor raises many chuckles with his acting. Above all Aryan Khan doesn’t spare himself either. You have an officer who is moddled on the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). In one scene Aasmaan is locked up in a jail and a cop says people get more famous after going in. After last years negative role in Kill Raghav showcases a different facet of himself. As Aasmaan’s buddy the actor lights up the screen with his effortless acting. He shares a wonderfulcamaraderie with Lakshya making their scenes a major highlight of the show.

Mention must also be made of Sahher Bambaa’s Karishma. The young actress brings in a certain vulnerability and a humanness making the character likeable in spite of the privileged background. The love angle between Aasmaan and Karishma is underwritten still the two young actors share a good chemistry.

What also grounds the show amidst the starry cameos and larger than life world is the family dynamics. Apart from Raghav Anya Singh also lends gravity as the loyal manager. The way she stands by Aasmaan in spite of the numerous hurdles is brilliant to watch. Similarly, Mona Singh and Vijayant Kohli as parents are also wonderful. Their conversations with Lakshya have an emotional resonance, especially the advice given by the father on never backing down. Manoj Pahwa as Aasmaan’s uncle also touches a chord with his own backstory.

The web series also looks at the unpredictable nature of show biz with Rajat Bedi’s Jaraj Saxena. On the surface the character may across as a comedic caricature. But there is a palpable pain as well and Rajat aces it.

Lakshya as the shows center pivot perfectly captures the different shades of Aasmaan. He brings alive the determination of Aasmaan along with a certain cheeky and arrogant nature. There are certain shades of Shah Rukh Khan in the way Aryan along with Bilal Siddqui etc have written the role. Lakshya also does very well in an important emotional outburst.

As one of the primary villains Bobby Deol packs a strong punch too. He brings in both a starry aura as well as solid acting in this multifaceted role. Manish Chaudhari also succeeds in bringing the required ruthlessness along with a misogynistic nature.

The music composed by multiple people goes perfectly well with the show’s eccentric tone. Special mention must be made of the tracks Rusiya and Who’s your Daddy.

Final word: Overall it’s a web series that Shah Rukh himself would have loved to either act or direct. Must be a proud moment for the father.

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Mandala Murders: An almost perfect mythical thriller undone by a weak second act

The prime cast of Mandala Murders

Mandala Murders directed by Gopi Putharan and Manan Rawat has an ambitious scale with strong women characters and effective world building, but after an engaging start the series fizzles out at the finishing line. In spite of the somewhat limp ending the series deserves a watch for its portrayal of feminist rage specifically through the roles of Vaani Kapoor and Surveen Chawla. The latter absolutely chews the scenery with her portrayal of a shrewd woman.

Starcast: Vaani Kapoor, Surveen Chawla, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Jammel Khan and others

Genre: Thriller/crime

Creator: Gopi Puthran

Writers: Chirag Garg, Gopi Puthran, Avinash Dwivedi etc

Directors: Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat

Based on: The Butcher of Benaraz novel

Cinematography: Shaz Mohammed

Music: Sanchit Balhara and Ankit Balhara

Executive Producers: Aditya Chopra, Akshaye Widhani etc

Production Company: YRF Entertainment

No of episodes: 8

Streaming site: Netflix

Mandala Murders streaming on Netflix has a Mardaani spillover in terms of the world inhabited by the women characters. For example, Vaani Kapoor’s Rea is often snubbed by her male colleagues on the account of gender, at one point a junior officer is surprised that a female officer has come to investigative a series of murders. Similarly, Surveen Chawla’s Ananya has to deal with a disloyal husband conspiring against her, this makes her calculative and a tough soul with gray areas.

Lastly there is Shriya Pilgaonkar’s Rukmini. Rukmini is a hugely ambitious leader of a secret society; through her character the two directors highlight female agency in a mystical context. To this Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat add a whole lot of things with hits and misses in equal measure.

Without giving much away Mandala Murders is set in the town of Charandsapur. A series of brutal murders have shaken up the community. Vaani Kapoor is CBI Agent Rea Thomas. Rea carries a certain emotional baggage related to a girl whom she couldn’t save. Vaibhav Raj Gupta is a suspended cop Vikram Singh; he comes with his own motives. The two team up to uncover certain dark truths. As they dig deeper many secrets tumble out about an ancient society wiped away by the locals. This is the story in brief.

A strong aspect of Mandala Murders is the wonderful cinematography complementing the eerie atmospherics. Shaz Mohammad’s work is of a very high order. The timeline moves between 1950 and 2025; however, the switching of timelines never comes across as jarring thanks to his work. The locations of mysterious tunnels and the hazy forests come across as a character in themselves heightening the investigative portions. Ankit Balhara and Sachet Balhara’s score also jells perfectly with the show’s atmospherics.

The dynamics between Rea and Vikram Singh has also been depicted well by the two directors and the numerous writers. The emotional portions involving Vaibhav Raj Gupta specifically in the scenes of grief and anger has been both wonderfully written and enacted.

The layered characterization of the female characters is also plus particularly Surveen Chawla whose role shifts like a chameleon changing colors. She isn’t always likeable with her actions specifically in a crucial reveal of the last episode, at the same time viewers understand from where the tough personality comes. Surveen absolutely aces the part playing the different shades of Ananya Bhardwaj with ease.

Vaani Kapoor in her OTT debut is also good. She is successful in bringing both the no nonsense persona along with the required vulnerability. Shriya Pilgaonkar has a prominent part in the last episodes, and she too registers a strong impact with a fiery persona.

Jammel Khan as a man obsessed with ancient symbols is endearing as well. He brings in the required lightness to the proceedings. The rest of the cast including Manu Rishi Chadda and Raghubhir Yadav are also fine in their respective parts.

A major problem with Mandala Murders is the final episodes solving the mystery. The character of Aditi Pohankar as Moksha sticks out like a sore thumb. This is due to the stale writing with repetitive shots belonging to a different universe rather than this web series. The connection of Surveen Chawla’s role to the central mystery though a surprise feels jarring as well. The integration needed some foreshadowing rather than just a random surprise for shock value.

The multiple arcs with the numerous subplots also don’t always land, some are more effective than the others. The series could have cut down on some exposition to make the proceedings crisper.

Final word: Mandala Murders is worth watching for fans of thrillers stepped in folklore coupled with the strong women characters.