Director Avinash Arun Dhaware and creator Sudip Sharma push the envelope further giving a new perspective. The absence of the chilling Abhishek Banerjee from the first season is definitely felt, still there is a lot to admire in the way the duo construct a social drama in the guise of a police procedural.
Paatal Lok Season 2 (Hindi), 17-01-2025, Crime, Thriller, 8 episodes, 16+, Web series
- Main Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Tillotama Shome, Gul Panang, Nagesh Kukunoor, and Merenla Bose
- Director: Avinash Arun Dhaware
- Producer: Karnesh Ssharma and Babita Ashiwal
- Music Director: Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor
- Cinematography: Avinash Arun Dhaware
- Rating: 4/5
For those who haven’t seen the first season of Paatal Lok, it was loosely inspired by Tarun Tejpal’s Novel The Story of My Assassins.
Acclaimed actor Neeraj Kabhi played the role of the journalist-novelist Tarun Tejpal. The show revolved around an assassination attempt gone wrong. Jaideep Ahlawat played a low-ranking officer called Hathiram Chaudhary.
Hathiram is suddenly assigned a high-profile case changing his life forever. The series also took inspiration from the traditional concepts of heaven, earth and hell.
These served as metaphors to explore the different classes of India along with other aspects. Through a police procedure, various burning topics like caste atrocities, media biases and Islamophobia among others were explored in an impactful manner.
Apart from Jaideep Ahlawat’s stellar act, the first season is also remembered for Abhishek Banerjee’s deadly Vishal Hathoda, a notorious hitman with a love for dogs.
The role of Vishal Hathoda showcased a different facet of him; Abhishek got rave reviews for his excellent act. After a gap of five years, Paatal Lok Season 2 has arrived amidst high expectations.
Bingeworthy season 2
Thankfully the second season turns out to be even more bingeworthy. What sets apart the second season is the setting of Nagaland, giving the viewers a new perspective on the socio-political situation of the state.
Just like the first season the second one also starts as a police procedural. The plot begins with the brutal murder of Jonathom Thom, a prominent personality of Nagaland.
Jonathom Thom was deeply involved in the peace process of the state involving 20, 000 crore investment. On the surface, this may appear as a simple peace process but there is a lot at stake for the local government.
Running parallel to this is the case of a missing daily wage labourer and a nightclub dancer. Hathiram Chaudhary is investigating this. On the other hand, Ishwak Singh who played Constable Ansari in the first season is now an IPS officer.
Ansari has deep respect for Hathiram’s honesty and investigation skills in spite of being in a higher place. As the plot progresses these threads become intertwined.
The eight-episode saga covers a vast range of topics like the socio-political turmoil of the North East, and the struggles of orphans who fall into the trap of crime.
Nagaland politics
A major USP of Paatal Lok Season 2 is undoubtedly its depiction of Nagaland politics. The contrast between the beautiful landscapes with the immense turmoil of the local population has been wonderfully depicted.
The writing team of the second season which also includes Abhishek Banerjee does a terrific job of bringing alive the ethnic clashes between the different groups.
One of the major themes in Paatal Lok season 2 is the insider versus outsider topic. There is a section of people who have come from outside creating their own identity. Despite being Nagaland residents for a long time, they have to pay a certain amount of money to a local group in the hope of ensuring their safety.
But sometimes even that doesn’t work. This comes out strikingly in a conversation between Haitharam and a local business family.
The character of Haitharam serves as a medium to make the viewers more aware of the major conflicts involving the North East.
Women stuck in oppressive system
The series also does a terrific job of exploring the plight of the numerous women stuck in an oppressive system. Director Avinash Arun Dhaware along with the writers presents this in a hard-hitting manner through the characters of Rose Lizo and Aslena Thom.
One is a young woman battling addiction; the other is a conflicted widow. Through these subplots, a strong statement is made about the numerous trials and tribulations faced by those living on the fringes of society.
The supporting cast has numerous actors from the Northeast. All of them do a very good job in their respective roles adding a certain authenticity. Avinash Arun Dhaware deserves a major appreciation for casting northeastern actors in supporting parts as this adds to the immersive experience giving it a rooted feel.
Characterisation
Apart from the political aspects, the interpersonal relationships particularly the one between Hathiram and Ansari have been brilliantly written and enacted. Both Haithram and Ansari are unsure of how to behave with each other given the shift in power dynamics.
This aspect also gives the show some of its best moments; an underlying thread of friendship despite the awkward scenarios has come out wonderfully.
Special mention must also be made of Tillotama Shome’s SP Meghana Barua. A mother of a six-year-old son and a local police officer who has established her space in what is generally considered as a male bastion.
Meghana’s knowledge of local politics adds a fresh dimension. Tillotama does a fantastic job of portraying the different nuances although the character could have been more developed.
Gul Panag reprising her role of Hathiram’s wife doesn’t get a lot to do just like in the first season, still, she shines bright in the emotional scenes. Director Nagesh Kukunoor as the shrewd businessman with several skeletons in his closet also makes a strong impact.
As Haithram Jaideep immerses himself coming with a superlative act again, the way he portrays the strong determination while battling both professional and personal issues is a sheer delight to watch.
Ishwak Singh is also terrific giving solid support as a young police officer dealing with the complexities of his new role.
Final take
To sum it up Paatal Lok Season 2 is absolutely binge-worthy, and a must-watch for fans of Paatal Lok Season One, and Jaideep Ahalwat admirers.
(Views expressed here are personal, edited by Sumavarsha)
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