Category: OTT Films & Webseries

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Black Warrant web series review: A gritty insider account into the functioning of Asia’s biggest prison— Tihar

Creator and director Vikramaditya Motwane presents a very gritty picture of the deeply horrifying situations where it is very difficult for a prisoner to reform.

Black Warrant (Hindi), 10-01-2025, Action, Drama, 7 episodes16+, OTT

  • Main Cast: Zahan Kapoor, Rahul Bhat, Paramvir Singh Cheema, and Anurag Thakur
  • Director: Vikramaditya Motwane, Satyanshu Singh, Rohin Raveendran Nair, and Arkesh Ajay
  • Producer: Andolan Films, Applause Entertainment, and Confluence Media
  • Music Director: Ajay Jayanthi
  • Cinematography: Saumyananda Sahi
  • Rating: 4/5

For those who are not aware Vikramaditya Motwane’s latest work is based on the novel of the same name Black Warrant.

It was written by a jailer about the notorious functioning of the Tihar Jail set in the 80’s.

The novel explores the intricate power structure and the various hierarchies based on both caste and religion.

Synopsis

In this web series adaption of the novel Zahan Kapoor plays Sunil Gupta, a shy and confused man starting off as a meek person who eventually grows in confidence and becomes a determined jailer wanting to bring reform. And he eventually does succeed as well.

Sunil Gupta is credited with starting Tihar’s first legal aid cell. The series showcases the various experiences of Sunil starting from his meeting with the enigmatic Charles Sobharaj (a charming Siddhant Gupta).

Then you have also got the killers of PM Indira Gandhi among many others. Rahul Bhatt plays the morally grey deputy jailer Tomar. The other important characters are played by Paramveer Cheema and Anurag Thakur.

Strengths of the series

Zahan Kapoor in Black Warrant
Zahan Kapoor in ‘Black Warrant’. (X)

A strong aspect of Black Warrant is the authentic depiction of the prison world with no artificiality. The division of the prisoners based on their caste, religion and money has come out strongly in numerous scenes.

The operation of the numerous gangs within the prison makes the viewers think about the flawed system where there isn’t much scope for reform. The web series also touches upon the plight of innocent prisoners, the category who are a victim of some malicious police officers.

Black Warrant also dwells on how the prisoners are often viewed as inhuman by the jail authorities. There is a brilliant scene involving a research scholar. This person comes to Tihar jail to get a psychological insight into the minds of prisoners. As a response an inmate says “Why do you want to do research on people like us struck in a cage are we animals?”

To this, the character says, “I am researching to prove you people are not animals.” This perfectly sums up the general attitude of the jail authorities. There is a deeply disturbing portion when Sunil along with his colleagues finds out about a senior jailor making money by depriving the prisoners of their basic needs.

Strong characterisation

Another big strength of Black Warrant is the characterization of Zahan Kapoor. The character of Sunil starts off as a vulnerable young man who in no way looks like a tough jailor capable of controlling the prison inmates but as the series progresses we see Sunil getting more confident.

Black Warrant is a jail drama
‘Black Warrant’ is a jail drama. (X)

There is a palpable determination in the way he wants to bring out prison reforms. Zahan does a very good job of bringing out these nuances. The young actor proves that he is truly worthy of the illustrious Kapoor lineage.

The web series also dwells on how the lives of Jailers aren’t very glamorous at least back in the 80’s. There is an important scene where Sunil’s father tells his son to not reveal his profession while seeing a prospective bride, however, Sunil doesn’t follow his father’s advice, instead, he talks about his profession with absolute honesty.

Black Warrant also works due to the way the other important characters have been written with utmost care. Both Anurag Thakur and Paramveer Cheema also have solid graphs. The camaraderie shared between the characters isn’t hammered in; still, it works strong when required.

Many of the subplots in the web series are inspired by real-life incidents from the times of Indira Gandhi’s government. Certain capital punishments reflect deeply entranced class and casteist biases.

Then you also have the prisoners belonging to a more affluent part of the prison. A serial killer is seen roaming free; there is also an instigator of murder getting plenty of time to have romantic meetings. Apart from these you also have the arrest of JNU Students. There is a hilarious scene exposing the incompetent nature of jail staff.

Technical aspects and performances

Saumyananda Sahi’s cinematography is another major plus. He does a very good in recreating both the 80’s atmosphere and also the grittiness of the prison portions.

Apart from Zahan Kapoor’s breakthrough performance the show also benefits from Rahul Bhatt’s stellar turn. As a mostly self-serving boss with moments of genuine empathy for his fellow men Rahul Bhatt is simply fantastic.

Sidhant Gupta in the role of Charles Sobhraj has brief screen time but the young actor makes his presence amply felt. He perfectly captures the body language starting from the accented dialogue delivery.

The women characters in Black Warrant are mostly relegated to the background except for Rajshri Deshpande— as the firebrand reporter. This is only the slight flaw of the web series.

Final take

Overall Black Warrant is a must-watch for those who like gritty stories based on real-life incidents.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/black-warrant-web-series-review-a-gritty-insider-account-into-the-functioning-of-asias-biggest-prison-tihar/

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Girls Will Be Girls: A layered story of adolescence driven by a fantastic cast

Girls Will Be Girls movie image

Director Shuchi Talati does a wonderful job in exploring the complexities of Teenage. An important part of Girls Will Be girls is the theme of sexual awakening portrayed with lots of sensitivity

Starcast: Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, Kesav Binoy Kiron and others

Director and writer: Shuchi Talati

Producers: Richa Chaddha, Clarie Chassagne and Shuchi Talati

Production Companies: Pushing Buttons Studios, Blink Digital etc

Music: Pierre Oberkampf and Sneha Khanwalkar

Cinematography: Jih-E Peng

Running time: 1 hour and 58 minutes

Streaming site: Amazon Prime

The age of adolescence is a very complex period in the life of a teenager. Both mentally and physically there are major upheavals. Shuchi Talati’s story focuses on one such teenager without any commercialization.

Preeti Panigrahi and Kani Kusruti in Girls Will Be Girls

The main plot of Girls Will Be Girls revolves around Mira ( Preeti Panigrahi) set in a boarding school. Preeti is both a class topper as well as a prefect. Kani Kusruti plays the protective mother Anila. There is a father too appearing occasionally. Mira’s life takes a major turn with the entry of a new joinee Srinivas ( Kesav Binoy Kiron). Mira starts developing feelings which includes sexual as well. While chatting with Srinivas over the phone Anila catches her daughter making it very clear that the two can only be friends and northing more. However Mira and Srinivas continue to pursue each other romantically. Soon Srinivas starts coming to Mira’s house developing a good rapport with Anila. This leads to a major tension as Mira feels that Srinivas is giving more attention to her mother. The rest of the story focuses on the new challenges that Mira faces and how she navigates adolescence.

Keshav Binoy Kiron as Srinivas

A strong aspect of Girls Will Be Girls is how Shuchi Talati portrays the physical changes that a teenager undergoes. For example there is a scene where Mira tries to appear sexy in the front of a ,mirror while lip syncing. Similarly there is also a bit of Mira trying to practice kissing. These moments have been presented with honesty making it relatable for many teenagers.

Apart from the challenges of adolescence Shuchi Talati also does a wonderful job in showcasing the complex mother and daughter dynamics. Their relationship has shades of jealousy with some unpleasant moments. Anila is an overprotective mother who has a hard time in dealing with her rebellious daughter. She wants to limit the physical and emotional intimacy of the two. The dynamics get further complicated when Srinivas gets closer to the mother, his proximity with Anila increases leading to a further divide. However beneath all the insecurities there is also mutual love which comes out strongly.

The complex mother and daughter dynamics

The movie’s pacing is deliberately slow but for a story of this nature it works perfectly. The build up to the bodily changes that Mira is undergoing has been portrayed with the right amount of sensitivity. The film dwells into the themes of sexuality from a female perspective showcasing how societal repression often comes in the way. This is something that we don’t see in the high testosterone male led cinema.

The scenes of Mira losing her virginity and the various feelings which come with it have been shot in an aesthetic manner with no titlation.

Mira’s sexual awakening

Shuchi Talati’s use of visual metaphors is also brilliant. These metaphors perfectly convey the internal struggle which the characters are going through on numerous occasions. The movie is a perfect example of how dialogues aren’t always needed to convey the emotional turmoil.

The performances of Preeti and Kani Kusruti also make this movie a major winner. Preeti Panigrahi had won the special jury award at 2024 Sundance Film Festival and she truly deserves it for her wonderful portrayal. She perfectly captures the vulnerability, defiance and the contradictions which a teenager goes through. She more than holds her own opposite the terrific Kani Kusruti. Speaking about Kani Kusruti the actress continues her terrific form showcasing her immense versatility post All We Imagine as Light. She does a superlative job in bringing out the turmoil of a woman who is grapping with her own desires while being a caring mother. As Srinivas Keshav Binoy Kiron has an easy charm blending in perfectly. He also brings in a sense of ambiguity adding an extra layer.

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Mismatched Season 3 (Hindi web series) : A compelling portrait of love and identity in the age of digital paradox

Directors Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Dharmadhikari dig deeper than the previous two instalments looking the dangers of the online personas that we create.
Mismatched Season 3 (Hindi), 13-12-2024, Romance, Comedy, Drama, 8 episodes, A, OTT
  • Main Cast: Rohit Saraf, Prajakta Koli, Muskkaan Jaferi, Taaruk Raina, Laurena Robinson and Rannvijay Singha
  • Director: Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Dharmadhikari
  • Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
  • Music Director: Jasleen Royal and Anurag Saikia
  • Cinematography: Sudip Sengupta
  • Rating: 3.5/5

For those who haven’t seen the first two seasons of Mismatched, the plot revolves around two diametrically different personalities.

Rohit Saraf’s Rishi is a young man with traditional notions of romance. Prajakta Koli’s Dimple is a tech-savvy girl with contrastingly different views on love and marriage. The series is based on the book titled When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Her perception regarding marriage has zero similarities with Rishi’s filmy ideas. The two have a disastrous first meeting but a summer program brings them together despite the contrasting personalities.

The first two seasons primarily explored the themes of love, coming of age and societal expectations. All this resonated well with the younger audiences making it a popular show.

What also made the first two seasons popular was its supporting cast led by Taaruk Raina and Muskkaan Jafferi.

Taaruk Raina’s character Ammol represents the struggles of disabled people in finding normalcy. To cover up his emotional vulnerabilities he behaves like a bully pretending to be a tough guy. Muskkaan Jafferi’s Celina on the other hand is also someone who pretends to be brave but has secrets of her own.

Synopsis

Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli
Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli. (X)

Coming to Mismatched Season 3 the plot shifts from Jaipur to Hyderabad. The beginning episodes focus on their long-distance relationship.

Rishi is doing very well in NNIT run by Nandini Nahata (Dipannita Sharma). Dimple on the other hand is grappling with a lack of self-confidence, the reason being she couldn’t secure a place for herself in NNIT.

Their long-distance relationship soon starts cracking leading to a major strain. Dimple eventually makes an important decision to join Siddarth, Nandini’s rival’s (Rannvijay Singha) new institute which is conveniently located right next to NNIT. This move of Dimple isn’t just about beginning her career afresh but it’s also about staying close to Rishi.

The rest of the story focuses on the complexities of career ambitions and relationships coupled with the evolving dynamics of a fresh batch.

Strong points

Akarsh Khurana directorial Mismatched Season 3
Akarsh Khurana’s directorial ‘Mismatched Season 3’. (X)

A strong aspect of Mismatched Season 3 is the exploration of digital paradox through a project called Betterverse. This Betterverse, also called metaverse is a virtual reality space where the users can live out all their wildest fantasies, has been created by Rishi and Co. The central conflict of Mismatched Season 3 is this digital utopia.

On paper, this project looks very exciting as the players can live out their hidden fantasies but as the story progresses the characters find difficulty in drawing a much-needed line between the real and the virtual world.

Directors Akarsh Khurana and Nipun Dharmadikiri have done a terrific job in exploring this theme. Many youngsters and also extremely tech-savvy people would definitely relate to this.

Among the flaws, the characterization of Dipannita Sharma’s Miss Nandini could have been done with more nuances. She is mostly seen shouting at the top of her voice. This gets jarring after a point.

Also, the students aren’t seen attending much of theory and practical classes, also the atmosphere of the college often comes across as more of a corporate world than a tech college.

Strong characterisation 

A still from the series Mismatched Season 3
A still from the series ‘Mismatched Season 3’. (X)

Mismatched Season 3 deals with the new challenges faced by Dimple and Rishi. Before starting this project Betterverse Rishi was introspective and slightly insecure but post becoming the leader his personality undergoes a significant change.

He somewhat drifts away from his original persona leading to some cracks in the relationship with Dimple. He finds a lot of success in Betterverse but this success comes with a certain cost too.

Dimple on the other hand is facing the dual pressure of wanting to carve a space for herself in the world of coding and technology and having a solid love life. The colliding worlds of real and virtual have been wonderfully written and enacted.

The complexities here go beyond navigating romantic feelings; they also involve figuring out your true self and staying true to it. This is a difficult task, given the challenges of the digital age. All of this has been presented in a raw and unfiltered manner, without beating around the bush or trying to sugarcoat it.

Supporting characters

Ahsaas Channa and Taaruk Raina in Mismatched Season 3
Ahsaas Channa and Taaruk Raina in ‘Mismatched Season 3’. (X)

What also adds to the impact of the third season are its supporting characters both the older ones and the fresh entrants. A particular mention must be made of the track involving Lauren Robinson’s Rith.

Rith is assigned female at birth and wants to transition and come out of the closet. The romantic track between Rith and Muskkann Jaferi is wonderful to watch. Through the track of Rith, the directors have touched upon the difficulties faced by the transgender community in embracing their real identity.

Talking about the older characters both Muskkann and Taaruk Raina successfully take off from the previous ones providing solid support to Rohit Saraf and Prajakta Koli.

Performances

Talking about the leads, both Rohit Saraf and Prajakta are in wonderful form perfectly imbibing the fresh nuances. The chemistry between them in both the light and emotional scenes is a delight to watch.

The self-discovery of Muskkann’s character runs parallel to that of Dimple and the actress does a fantastic job in showcasing the different nuances. Taaruk Raina is also equally good bringing in both humour and solid emotions.

Special mention must also be made of Laurena Robinson. Laurena is first-rate in portraying the identity struggle of Rith.

The music much like the first two seasons plays an important role in enhancing the story. Tracks like “Ishq Hai”, “Do Din Ke Bad” and “Pyaar Hai” perfectly capture the joys and the internal struggles faced by the characters at different junctures.

Final take

Keeping aside these niggles Mismatched Season 3 streaming on Netflix makes for a good watch, particularly for those who like soothing love stories with a dash of technology.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/mismatched-season-3-web-series-review-a-compelling-portrait-of-love-and-identity-in-the-age-of-digital-paradox/

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Agni : A heartfelt tribute to the bravery of fire-fighters

The movie makes you feel for the numerous trials and tribulations of firefighters, something that we as a common man don’t fully appreciate.
Agni (Hindi), 05-12-2024, Action, Drama, 2 hours, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Pratik Gandhi, Divyendu Sharma, Jitendra Joshi, and Saiyami Kher
  • Director: Rahul Dholakia
  • Producer: Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidwani
  • Music Director: John Stewart Eduri
  • Cinematography: KU Mohanan
  • Rating: 3.5/5

Given Indian cinema’s obsession with men in uniform it is surprising that we haven’t had a full-fledged movie so far on the lives of firefighters.

Rahul Dholakia best known for his brilliant Parzania (2005), in Agni streaming on Prime Video, takes a deep dive into the many dangers that these fire-fighters put themselves in.

The movie makes you feel for the numerous trials and tribulations, something that we as a common man don’t fully appreciate.

Synopsis

The story of Agni revolves around the investigation of uncovering a dangerous plot behind the periodic fires in the high-rise buildings of Mumbai. These events follow a particular pattern hinting at arson.

Pratik Gandhi plays Vitthal Rao, the head of a fire station. He and his team risk their lives daily without the recognition they deserve. Divyendu Sharma plays Samit Sawant, Vitthal Rao’s brother-in-law and a successful police officer with more material comforts than the former.

Parallel to the investigation, there is also a subplot of interpersonal relationships, in which, Vitthal Rao’s son considers Samit as his hero instead of his own father.

Social commentary

Agni is directed by Rahul Dholakia
‘Agni’ is directed by Rahul Dholakia. (X)

An important aspect of Agni is its impactful social commentary. As the story is about the fire accidents, the makers also dvelve into the risks of illegal buildings, these include restaurants and other public spaces which more often than not accommodate far more people than allowed.

Rahul Dholakia and Vijay Maurya make some important points about the construction of illegal buildings and the risks involved due to the lack of safety protocols. These have come out in a hard-hitting manner making the viewers ponder about the government’s poor handling of basic civic safety.

In spite of all this, the firemen put their lives at stake in order to save as many as they could, in the process losing their lives too.

Agni also scores in how it captures the trauma that a firefighter undergoes. The CGI fire coupled with the shots of flames taking over the sky-high buildings sends a shiver down the viewer’s spine. The movie keeps the viewers on edge over whether the firemen would successfully come out of those flames.

The dynamics between Vitthal Rao and Samit Sawant add a layer of humour to the otherwise tense proceedings. The rivalry between the two could have done with a little more depth. Still, there are numerous entertaining moments. Divvyendu Sharma as Samit Sawant successfully plays to the gallery and works a perfect contrast to Pratik Gandhi’s serious persona.

Performances and technical aspects

Still from the film Agni
Still from the film ‘Agni’. (X)

Talking about Pratik Gandhi, the Scam 1992 actor continues to prove his versatility with an arresting portrayal of a firefighter navigating the various challenges of his dangerous profession.

The way Pratik portrays Vitthal’s inner demons is exemplary, to say the least. Among the other actors, Saiyami Kher also strikes a chord with her emotional act. Her character brings in a different layer as the prominent woman among the male firefighters.

Agni also benefits from the constant twists and turns particularly in the second half. Just when the viewers think they have figured everything out, the movie comes up with an unexpected twist.

Among the technical departments, the production design and the cinematography deserve distinction marks for a job very well done. The recreation of the fire station has an authenticity to it. Also, the first-rate cinematography of KU Mohanan further helps in creating a palpable tension.

Talking about the slight flaws, the movie needed to explore the animosity between Vitthal and Samit in greater detail. Also, a subplot involving a builder’s assassination doesn’t add much value to the proceedings.

Final take

Keeping these small hiccups aside, Agni is a gripping emotional drama with elements of action and thrills.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/agni-movie-review/

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Sikandar Ka Muqaddar : Not Neeraj Pandey’s best still this heist thriller has its high points

The central performances of Avinash Tiwary and Jimmy Shergill majorly contribute in making the movie engaging even when things go astray.
Sikandar Ka Muqaddar (Hindi), 29-11-2024, Drama, Thriller, 2 hours 23 minutes, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Avinash Tiwary, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Rajeev Mehta
  • Director: Neeraj Pandey
  • Producer: Shital Bhatia
  • Music Director: Payal Dev
  • Cinematography: Arvind Singh
  • Rating: 3/5

Neeraj Pandey’s latest work plays along the lines of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Miserables. There are themes of moral ambiguity and the relentless persuasion of a cop spanning across years.

More than a thriller Sikandar Ka Muqaddar streaming on Netflix, works as an interesting character study of two individuals whose lives undergo a significant change in the backdrop of a heist.

Synopsis

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar begins off on a high note. A heist happens at a diamond exhibition in the year 2009. Jimmy Shergill’s Jaswinder Singh zeroes on three suspects based on his instincts, something that Jaswinder is very proud of.

The suspects are Sikandar Sharma (Avinash Tiwary), Kamini Singh (Tamannah Bhatia) and Mangesh Desai (Rajiv Mehta). As Jawinder Singh gets deeper into the case the pursuit turns into an endless obsession significantly affecting both his personal and professional life.

Eventually, no one is convicted and the case gradually slips away from people’s memory but Jaswinder is thoroughly convinced that one of the three has definitely stolen the diamond. His primary suspect is Sikandar Sharma. This is the story in brief.

What works and what doesn’t

Stills from the film Sikandar Ka Muqaddar
Stills from the film ‘Sikandar Ka Muqaddar’. (X)

Director Neeraj Pandey along with co-writer Vipul K Rawal waste no time in setting up the proceedings, Jaswinder Singh’s questioning of the three suspects and his strong belief in instincts pique the viewer’s interest in who stole the diamond.

Things are gripping till the point of no convictions being made and Jaswinder Singh losing his job. The movie starts stagnating once it gets into the mode of non-linear storytelling. The constant intercuts do more harm than good.

However, the flashback portion does have some good stretches too. The best is Sikandar’s character battling one major hardship after the other. Also, no character is completely good or evil here. Whether it is the suspects or the cop they come across as individuals driven by the circumstances around them.

Sikandar’s struggles have been shown in detail and it does strike an emotional chord. The film though could have done a little more exploration of Jaswinder’s life post his suspension. Having said that the scars left by the passage of time come across strongly.

Apart from the constant intercuts the movie does suffer from being a slow burn testing the viewer’s patience. The ending also lacks the punch that Neeraj Pandey is known for in his previous movies like Baby (2015) and Special Chabbis (2013).

Performances

Avinash Tiwary and Tamannaah Bhatia in Sikandar Ka Muqaddar
Avinash Tiwary and Tamannaah Bhatia in ‘Sikandar Ka Muqaddar’. (X)

A strong aspect of Sikandar Ka Muqaddar is undoubtedly the strong acting performances particularly that of Avinash Tiwary and Jimmy Shergill. Both the actors rise above the uneven material keeping the viewers invested. Jimmy Shergill who had played the role of a cop previously in films like A Wednesday, managed to bring freshness to this role too.

The character of Jaswinder starts as a cop with a perfect record but soon becomes a wreck in his relentless pursuit. Jimmy does a fantastic job of portraying the various nuances. The fall from grace could have been better explored, yet Jimmy makes the viewers feel the pain of Jaswinder.

Avinash Tiwary is also wonderful as the man who rebuilds his life amidst the constant harassment. He particularly shines in portraying the emotional turmoil of Sikandar.

Apart from these two, Tamannah Bhatia also makes a striking impact as a single mother with secrets of her own. Despite lesser screen time the actress does a very fine job in making the viewers empathize with Kamini’s problems.

Final take

To sum it up Sikandar Ka Muqaddar has good performances and some strong passages making it watchable.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/reviews/sikandar-ka-muqaddar-movie-review/

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Vikkatakavi – The Chronicles of Amaragiri web series review: An engrossing, first of its kind Telangana detective show

In spite of some rough edges, director Pradeep immerses the viewers into the world of Amaragiri. The mixture of Telangana folk beliefs with the subplot of bio war enhances the narrative. Promising young talent Naresh Agastya delivers another solid act
Vikkatakavi: The Chronicles of Amaragiri (Telugu), 28-11-2024, Drama, 6 episodes, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Naresh Agastya, Megha Akash, Shiju Menon, Tarak Ponnappa, Raghu Kunche, Mukthar Khan, and Amit Tiwari
  • Director: Pradeep Maddali
  • Producer: Rajani Talluri
  • Music Director: Ajay Arasada
  • Cinematography: Shoeb Siddiquie
  • Rating: 3.5/5

In the last few years, Telangana culture has had a major influx into mainstream Telugu cinema through stories or characters.

A major reason for that is the consistent portrayal and telling of Telangana by the likes of Priyadarshi Pulikonda, Vishwak Sen, Tharun Bhascker and Siddhu Jonnalagadda.

Vikkatakavi: The Chronicles of Amaragiri the new web series streaming on ZEE 5, directed by Pradeep Maddalli and written by Saitej Desheaj is a good addition to this trend. Through the six episodes, Pradeep and Saitej have effectively mixed the Telangana folklore with the detective genre.

The series also pays homage to the legendary Tenali Rama Krishnan, known for his wit and intellect in equal measure.

Synopsis

The story of Vikkatakavi: The Chronicles of Amaragiri is set in the 1970s, in a village called Amaragiri. In this village, people lose their memories as soon they visit the haunted Devathala Gutta.

The story then follows Naresh Agastya’s Ramakrishna aka Vikkatakavi. He is not just a brilliant student but is also known for his exceptional investigation skills. Ramakrishna embarks on a dangerous journey for an emotional reason.

A constant tussle between superstitions and rationalism enhances the plot. The show also has some attention-grabbing twists that keep the viewers guessing about the reasons behind these mysterious happenings. There is a strong connection between Ramakrishna’s past and the happenings in Amaragiri, which adds to the emotional quotient, in addition to the thrills.

Strong technical support

Naresh Agastya in Vikkatakavi
Naresh Agastya in ‘Vikkatakavi: The Chronicles of Amaragiri’. (X)

A strong aspect of Vikkatakavi: The Chronicles of Amaragiri is its world-building. Shoeb Siddiqui’s work, particularly, stands out among the technical aspects. The rustic village atmospherics along with the night sequences set in the forest draw the audiences into the world of Amaragiri.

The production design and costumes are mighty effective in transporting the viewers into a by gone era. Ajay Arsada’s background score is very effective in enhancing the tension-filled sequences.

Apart from the technical aspects Pradeep Malladi also deserves appreciation for how he has integrated the local beliefs of Telangana people with the subplot of a bio war.  Special mention must also be made of the actors playing the village people.

Performances

The romance between Naresh Agastya and Megha Akash is understated without hijacking the central theme. Megha Akash hasn’t got a lot to do but she does have a lovely presence.

Naresh Agastya continues to showcase his versatility with an arresting portrayal of a detective. After this year’s Paruvu Naresh shows a different facet of him. The boyish charm coupled with intensity make him the perfect choice for the central character.

In the supporting cast, Raghu Kanche impresses the most with his terrific act. The way he conveys the negative traits with just expressions is a delight to watch. Tarak Ponnappa and Mukhtar Khan too are proficient in their roles.

Among the speed bumps, the final act needed a much better punch, given the intricate build-up. The final episodes feel lengthy as the viewers tend to form an idea of how things will ultimately go. The series also taps into nationalistic sentiments, but this aspect feels forced.

Final take

Keeping aside the rough edges Vikkatakavi: The Chronicles of Amaragiri is a solid addition to the evolving Telugu OTT space. Definitely worth watching for those like stories with elements of mysticism and thrills.

(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/telugu/vikkatakavi-the-chronicles-of-amaragiri-web-series-review-an-engrossing-first-of-its-kind-telangana-detective-show/

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Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 2: A pulpy sequel with engaging twists and a Shakesperean touch

Ya Kaali Kaali Aankhein Season 2 web series banner

A famous quote of Shakespeare on how “The course of true love never did run smooth” perfectly describes this twisted love story. Director Sidharth Sengupta along with his co-writers maintain a palpable tension about what would be the fate of Tahir Raj Bhasin’s Vikrant

Starcast: Tahir Raj Bhasin, Anchal Singh, Surya Sharma, Swetha Tripathi, Arunoday Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Gurmeet Choudhary and others

Director: Sidharth Sengupta

Writers: Varun Bodola, Anahata Menon etc

Producers: Jyoti Sagar and Sidharth Sengupta

Production Company: Edgestorm

Cinematography: Murli Krishna

No of episodes: 6

Streaming site: Netflix

For those who aren’t familiar with Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein season 1 it was a twisted love story with a gender twist. Instead of a male obsessive lover there was a possessive female in the form of Anchal Singh’s Purva. She makes life hell for Tahir Raj Bhasin’s Vikrant. What made the show click in spite of a familiar love triangle was its treatment. Director Sidharth Sengupta kept the viewers guessing about what turn the story would take. The performances of Tahir Raj Bhasin and Anchal Singh in particular also made the show engrossing. Season 2 of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein is for most part a worthy follow up to Season 1. There are enough tension filled moments to keep the viewers hooked and the characterizations of Tahir Raj Bhasin and Anchal Singh are like an icing on the cake.

Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein Season 1

Season 2 of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein begins with the kidnap of Aanchal Singh’s Purva. The kidnapper is Arunoday Singh’s Jalan but the one who orchestrated the entire situation is Vikrant. Vikrant had actually hired Jalan to get rid of Purva forever but now Jalan has double crossed Vikrant. The reason for Jalan’s double crossing is he wants more money. Adding to Vikrant’s woes is his lover Shikha (Swetha Tripathi) getting married to another man. Additional problems pile up for Vikrant with the entry of Guru (Gurmeet Choudhary). He is a tech savvy agent along with being Purva’s close friend. At one point Guru and Shikha had spent considerable time together and he had confessed his feelings of love to Purva too. But Purva had made it very clear that she doesn’t love him. Guru is determined to bring Purva back at any cost, it is both professional and personal for him. He gets suspicious of Vikrant having a hand in the kidnap leading to an exciting cat and mouse game.

A strong aspect of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein season 2 like the first season is the layered characterization of Tahir Raj Bhasin. Towards the end of season 1 Vikrant had transformed from a normal small-town boy to a man on mission. The characterization had undergone a significant change with Vikrant becoming a morally ambivalent person. In this season the grey shades are more pronounced. Much like Sushmita Sen’s Aarya Vikrant too is forced to bring out the inner demon in him. He was just a normal guy wanting to lead a happy life with his sweetheart Shikha and stay away from both Purva and her politician father Akheraj Awasthi (Saurabh Shukla) but due to certain circumstances his life had taken a very different route.

Tahir Raj Bhasin does a splendid job in pulling off Vikrant’s emotional turmoil. For example, there is a scene where Vikrant visits Shikha a day after her wedding to cover up an important matter. He is absolutely devasted on discovering that Shikha is no longer his and blames her for giving up. Shikha retorts by saying that he too had married Purva surrendering to the circumstances. The way Tahir portrays the breakdown of Vikrant’s ego in that particular moment is exemplary.

Tahir Raj Bhasin does a splendid job in pulling off Vikrant’s emotional turmoil

Some of Vikrant’s actions are indeed questionable but at the same time there is a strong vulnerability too making it hard for the viewers to dislike him completely. Apart from Tahir Anchal Singh’s Purva too successfully takes off from where she left from the previous season. The character of Purva in comparison to the first season is more layered. The viewers get a physiological insight into how she has grown into this extremely possessive person. Anchal does a very fine job in humanizing the role of an obsessive lover. The dynamics between Vikrant and Purva continue to be the major backbone of the web show.

Anchal Singh does a very fine job in humanizing the role of an obsessive lover

Special mention must also be made of Saurabh Shukla’s Akheraj Awasthi. His role of a powerful politician acquires new shades in season 2. There is a scene where Akheraj confesses on how he should have brought up his daughter better apologizing to Vikrant. Brijender Kala much like the first season raises many chuckles with his comic timing. A standout scene between Tahir and Brijender Kala is when Vikrant questions the father about his unwavering loyalty to Akheraj, how he is willing to sacrifice the entire family in name of devotion. In fact, both the fathers function as a major catalyst for how Vikrant and Purva have shaped up.

Gurmeet Choudhary as the new entrant proves to be a worthy opponent for Vikrant. He does a fine job in showcasing Guru’s determination along with the emotions of love. Anant Vijay Joshi of 12th Fail fame is only used to give a humorous touch to an otherwise tense narrative. His portions come as a welcome relief amidst the chaos although the writing could have been better. The show at times also suffers on the account of a few cinematic liberties like Guru’s omnipotent surveillance technology.

Murli Krishna’s cinematography is of a very high standard whether it is the snowcapped mountains or how he captures the brilliant action set pieces. The stunts designed by Amar Shetty are on par with any big screen action movie. The iconic title track of Baazigar ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein’ has been recreated wonderfully. The recreated track enhances the tension at many places.

Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein is definitely worth watching for those who like dark thrillers.

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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)

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/freedom-at-midnight-web-series-review-a-brilliant-exploration-of-events-leading-up-to-the-partition/

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Vijay 69 review: An endearing slice of life movie with a brilliant Anupam Kher

Director Akshay Roy delivers a strong message on how it is never too late to chase your dreams. The core point of ‘Vijay 69’ is age is just a number and it should never come in the way of achieving your ambitions
Vijay 69 (Hindi); 08-11-2024, Dramedy, 1 hour 52 minutes, 16+, OTT
  • Main Cast: Anupam Kher, Chunkey Pandey, and Mihir Ahuja
  • Director: Akshay Roy
  • Producer: Maneesh Sharma
  • Music Director:Gaurav Chatterji
  • Cinematography: Sahil Bhardwaj
  • Rating: 3/5

Akshay Roy’s Vijay 69 perfectly fits the genre of a slice-of-life film, something which has become rare in the increasing pan-Indian cinema. The film released on Netflix, does drag in some portions, particularly the starting scenes but after the initial stumbles, the movie grows on you. The central plot of Vijay 69 plot focuses on Anupam Kher’s Vijay Mathew. Vijay Mathew is a former athlete apart from being a swimming coach. He sacrifices his once-promising athletic career to take care of his terminally ill wife.

Synopsis

The movie begins with Vijay Mathew presumed to be dead. His best friend Fali (caricaturish yet entertaining Chunkey Pandey) mentions Vijay only as a garba king and a rummy champion.

This leads Vijay to reflect on his life, he decides to participate in a triathlon despite little support from his daughter and the general society.

A strong aspect of Vijay 69 is the strong friendship between Vijay and Fali. The witty banter between them is thoroughly entertaining. Their scenes together have the perfect blend of humour and also some heart-touching moments.

Another track worth mentioning here is the unexpected friendship between Anupam Kher’s Vijay and a rival athlete Aditya Jaiswal played by Mihir Ahuja. It lends an interesting angle to the story. The light scenes between them in spite of the significant age gap are a delight to watch.

Through this subplot, director Akshay Roy also emphasises how the age gap is not a barrier to friendship. It only becomes a barrier if you let it be.

As already mentioned, the movie begins on a tacky note. The production design in the initial bits makes it look more like a TV Serial and some of the forced humour does irritate the viewers, however, the movie soon becomes gripping when Vijay decides to start life afresh.

Performances

Anupam Kher in Vijay 69
Anupam Kher in ‘Vijay 69’. (X)

Anupam Kher in the titular role is simply fantastic. He does a terrific job of portraying the emotional turmoil and never-say-die attitude.

Special mention must be made of his acting in the triathlon sequences. The way he conveys determination despite obvious tiredness is a master class in acting. He is the movie’s main stay making the viewers root for Vijay even though the plot meanders in some places.

Chunkey Pandey’s accent does border on far on being farcical, still, the actor delivers a charismatic performance.

Sahil Bhardwaj’s cinematography in the triathlon sequences deserves distinction marks. The way he captures the excitement and the tension through his lens is wonderful to watch. The finale does border on being overdramatic; still, it leaves you with a happy feeling.

There isn’t much place for music in this kind of narrative nevertheless the song “Aage bhii Jaane na tuu” from the 1965 movie Waqt works as a poignant number on seizing the day.

Among the other supporting cast, Vrajesh Hirjee makes his presence amply felt as Vijay’s initially reluctant coach.

Final take

In conclusion, Vijay 69 has a relevant message at its core making it a heart-warming watch in spite of the flaws.

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

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/vijay-69-movie-review/

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1000 Babies: A well-crafted atmospheric thriller with a brilliant Neena Gupta

1000 Babies web series a well-crafted atmospheric thriller

The show suffers somewhat on the account of few unnecessary diversions along with some stagnation in the middle episodes nevertheless there is enough fodder for those who like mystery stories

Starcast: Sanju Sivaram, Neena Gupta, Rahman and others

Writer and director: Najeem Koya

Additional writer: Arouz Irfan

Music director: Sankar Sharma

Producers: Arya and Shaji Nadesan

Production Company: August Cinema

Cinematography: Faiz Siddik

No of episodes: 7

Streaming site: Disney+Hotstar

1000 Babies written and directed by Najeem Koya starts in the year 2010. Neena Gupta is Sarah Ouseph an eccentric older woman living with her son Bibin Ouseph (Sanju Sivram). Bibin is stuck in the job of a lab technician in spite of having a brilliant mind. Sarah as already mentioned is an eccentric woman, she spends a lot of time scribbling on the walls with the markers given by the son. For Bibin there is nothing wrong with his mother. He showers her with lots of love in spite of her strange behavior. Sarah has a mysterious past which the son isn’t aware of. One day she discloses everything leading to a dangerous chain of events. Fast forward to 2022 inspector Aji Kurian (Rahman) is investigating the murder of a well-known actress. Initially it looks a simple case, but Aji soon realizes that there is much more than what meets the eye. Everything is linked to Sarah’s secret.

Neena Gupta as the eccentric old woman Sarah Ouseph

A strong aspect of 1000 Babies is how Najeem Koya along with Arouz Irfan explore the psychology behind the perpetrator’s actions. The direction and the writing are mostly focused without trying to unnecessary mislead the audiences. The web series also deserves credit for not getting into the typical cliches used to depict the mental processes behind the actions of these men.

The flashback episodes of Neena Gupta add a lot of depth to the series. The past portions elevate Sarah Ouseph from just a crazy old woman. The portions of Sarah as the mother to Bipin and also a nurse in a hospital situated in Alappuzha show a different side to Sarah. As expected Neena Gupta tugs at the viewers heart with a moving performance.

Sanju Sivaram’s Bipin is another multi-faceted character. He starts off as a sweet caring man eventually transforming into a very different personality as the series progresses. Sanju Sivaram nails the various shades of Bipin.

Sanju Sivaram’s Bipin is also a multifaceted character. The actor nails the various shades of Bipin

The cinematography of Faiz Siddik adds to the eeriness of the show. His camerawork enhances the eerie portions significantly. His work deserves major appreciation in the tension filled interrogation scenes and also Sarah and Bipin’s house in the beginning episode.

Rahman as the headstrong investigator also comes up with a strong act. The situations that he has to put up with are stereotypical but still the actor comes up with a good performance.

Rehman as the headstrong investigator also comes up with a strong act

As already said the middle episodes of 1000 Babies does stagnate a bit and the running time does make the viewers impatient. Also, there are a couple of plot conveniences which the show could have done away with. For example, there is a portion where Aji Kurian hits a dead end, but he quickly gets a clue without any effort from his side. Still all things considered 1000 Babies is an engaging thriller.