Tag: Disney+Hotstar

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Devika &Danny: A friendly ghost with a strong message of female empowerment

Ritu Varma and Surya Vashistta

B Kishore’s Devika &Danny is an interesting mixture of supernatural elements and a young woman breaking out of her self imposed shackles. What works for the web series is the family friendly tone and simple but effective storytelling. Ritu Varma in the role of Devika gives an assured performance mixing vulnerability with inner strength

Starcast: Ritu Varma, Surya Vashistta, Subbaraju, Goparaju Ramana and others

Genre: Fantasy

Director: B Kishore

Writer: Deepak Raj

Cinematography: Venkat C Dilip

Production house: Joy Films

Producer: Changati Sudhakar

No of episodes: 7

Streaming site: Disney+ Hotstar

In the first few minutes of Devika &Danny streaming on Disney+ Hotstar Ritu Varma’s Devika Nandan talks about living her life within a 25 kilo radius. She is a woman who despite certain reservations on her father’s choice of a potential groom decides to go ahead. Her belief is that a few adjustments will make the marriage work, also Devika is someone who doesn’t want to cross the line chosen by her father. In more ways than one Devika is an anthesis to the character played in Pelli Choopulu featuring the same Ritu Varma. Devika lacks the agency Chitra had at least in the initial portions. This establishment of character trait sets the tone for the subsequent transformation. The transformation of Devika Nandan into a more determined woman isn’t unpredictable but what makes it work is the subtle nuances.

A major strength of Devika &Danny is the mix of the supernatural elements with a coming of age story. The track of Surya Vashistta who charms Devika gives a different dimension to the web series. The revelation of who Danny actually is though predictable acts as a major catalyst for Devika to rethink and step out of the conventions. The way Devika becomes a more confident person taking on different challenges is a delight to watch. Surya Vashistta as Danny is both charming and intense as the scene requires. Additionally he shares a charming chemistry with Ritu Varma making the viewers wish they had met in different circumstances.

Mention must also be made of how the web series talks about generational patriarchy through the character of Gopuraju Ramana playing Subbaraju’s father. Subbaraju as a potential groom and a complete jerk with a regressive mindset also makes his presence amply felt. He raises many chuckles with his serious expressions and a certain exasperation. Mention must also be made of senior actress Kovai Sarala as an elderly woman running an orphanage. She appears in the crucial flashback lending an emotional depth.

Subbaraju and other cast members

A major problem with Devika &Danny is an over reliance on the use of Ritu Varma’s voice over. A cut down on that would have benefited the series immensely. Also some of the writing choices in the later half feel very convenient reducing the intrigue factor. The portions featuring Harsh Chemudu also doesn’t much add to the proceedings. His comic track comes across as a major speed breaker.

Venkat C Dilip’s cinematography is of a good order specifically in the village portions. Jay Krish’s background score is also fine and the CGi is well intergrated into the narrative.

Final word: Devika & Danny is a pleasing coming of age story. The series makes for a decent weekend watch.

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Snow white (2025): A fun modern update to the damsel in distress trope

Rachael Zegler in the role of Snow White surrounded by the Dwarfs

Walt Disney production house latest attempt at reimagining an old fairy tale is entertaining in spite of some flaws. What makes Snow White mostly work is the reimaging of the central character as a more self-reliant young woman

Starcast: Rachael Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap and others

Genre: Fantasy/musical

Director: Marc Webb

Screenplay: Erin Cressida Wilson

Based on: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Producers: Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff

Cinematography: Mandy Wanker

Music: Pasek and Paul etc

Streaming site: Disney+Hotstar

Running time: 1 hour and 49 minutes

In the last few years Walt Disney productions have been on a spat of remaking old fairy tales with modern sensibilities whether it is Aladdin in 2019 or now the latest Snow White. A couple of commonalities linking the two films are the musical format and more empowered women characters specifically the lead women. Snow White (2025) is no different from its predecessor, the movie is a mix of fantasy while dealing with real world themes. Not everything lands but the movie makes for a breezy watch with an assertive female protagonist.

Aladdin 2019

In simple terms the story focuses on Rachael Zegler’s Snow White. She is confined to her own castle by a demonically evil queen played by Gal Gadot. Snow White hopes to reclaim her rightful place. In this process she meets Andrew Burnap’s Jonathan, Unlike the prince character from the old one Jonathan is a charming bandit on the lines of Robin Hood. The rest of the story focuses on Snow White ending the reign of the evil queen.

A strong aspect of Snow White (2025) is the characterization of the central character coupled with Rachael Zegler’s act. Marc Webb along with Erin Cressida Wilson have done a good job in gradually building up the character, in the initial portions she comes across as a sweet but docile person however by the end the character becomes a leader standing up against the injustices. This entire transformation has come out strongly.

Mention must also be made of the understated romance between Rachael Zelger and Andrew Burnap. Andrew Burnap bandit is a welcome break from the regular character of a prince. Sure, the character could have done with more depth but the scenes between them make for a good watch. Andrew Burnap delivers a charismatic act in spite of the brief screen time.

Rachael Zelger and Andrew Burnap

Gal Gadot’s character has some modern touches too going beyond someone who is just jealous of Snow White and tormenting her, she is seen as a symbol of fascism plundering the riches of the land. There is a dictatorial way in which the character operates, and Gal does a very fine job in bringing out those shades. These touches elevate the movie beyond just another reimagining.

As far as the visuals go cinematographer Mandy Waker makes sure that the movie becomes a visual treat. The movie has a vibrant look to it and the special effects have been well integrated. The musical numbers make for a fun watch particularly ‘Waiting on a Wish’

One of the big flaws of the movie are the dwarf characters. Their bond with Snow White doesn’t make an impact due to the lazy writing, it feels like more of an add on due to their presence in the fairytale rather than something substantial. Also, the movie’s tonality alerting between fantasy and real-world issues doesn’t land on some occasions.

Final word: Watch Snow White (2025) if you are in the mood to watch something lighthearted and get yourself lost in a fantasy world.

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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.

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Patna Shuklla : An effective legal drama that focuses on an educational scam involving roll numbers

On more than one occasion, ‘Patna Shuklla’ feels like a flashback to the ‘Jolly LLB’ movies. But still, it makes for a good watch.
Patna Shuklla (Hindi), 29-03-2024, Crime, drama, 2 hours 5 minutes, U/A, OTT
  • Main Cast: Raveena Tandon, Manav Vij, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and late Satish Kaushik
  • Director: Vivek Budakoti
  • Producer: Arbaaz Khan
  • Music Director: Karan Kulkarni
  • Cinematography: Neha Parti Matiyani
  • Rating: 3/5
  • Published in: Southfirst

Courtroom dramas based on different social topics are one of the most explored genres in India Cinema. The latest in the genre is Vivek Budakoti’s Patna Shuklla.

It doesn’t throw any surprises, and the viewers can easily guess where the proceedings are headed. However, what works for Patna Shuklla is having its heart in the right place.

The director deserves credit for exploring the topic of mark sheet exchange.

This scam is carried out to help rich students pass the exam, despite not being academically brilliant.

Synopsis

Raveena Tandon and Anushka Kaushik in a still from ‘Patna Shuklla’. (Screengrab)

Tanvi Shukla (Raveena Tandon) is a small-time lawyer. She specialises in writing affidavits apart from her cooking skills.

Her life takes a dramatic turn when a third-year BSC student Rinki Kumari (Anuskha Kaushik) approaches her. Rinki fails an exam but firmly believes that some mischief has happened.

Tanvi Shukla decides to fight for the girl but things are not so easy.

A big hurdle comes in the form of Raghubir Singh (Jatin Goswami), who files a nomination in the upcoming elections. He warns Tanvi against proceeding with the case.

Soon, Tanvi finds herself in a huge crossfire that has repercussions in her personal life.

To put it simply, Patna Shuklla is about how Tanvi delivers justice for Rinki by overcoming various hurdles.

In the past too, several movies have shed light on the flaws in the education system. But director Vivek Budakoti is successful in engaging the viewers.

The process of exchanging exam papers and how it affects the careers of underprivileged students has been depicted well.

The scenes between Rinki and Tanvi have some solid emotional moments. The viewers can feel the desperation of Rinki and root for her to succeed.

Performances

What also works majorly for Patna Shuklla is the characterisation and Raveena Tandon’s performance in the title role.

The actor does a good job of portraying the grit of Shuklla. Raveena shines in the intense portions and is equally good at showcasing her vulnerability.

A particular mention must be made of her performance after an important revelation where she breaks down.

Manav Vij as Tanvi’s husband is also crucial to the storyline.

Raveena Tandon and Chandan Roy Sanyal in ‘Patna Shuklla’. (Screengrab)

Initially, he doesn’t take a stand for his wife and discourages her from proceeding further. But he is not a monster either who imposes himself.

Manav Vij makes a striking impact as a man, who comes with his inner dilemmas regarding his wife’s stand.

Late Satish Kaushik has a pleasing presence as a lower court judge. For the large part of the movie, there is an easygoing nature but at the same time, he is not a judge who can be taken for granted.

Satish Kaushik portrays the different facets with his usual effervescence.

The rest of the performances are also mostly spot-on, with a particular mention of Anuskha Kaushik.

What does not work for Patna Shuklla though is the huge deja vu of the Jolly LLB films.

For example, Chandan Roy Sanyal plays an opposing lawyer modelled on Annu Kapoor and Boman Irani.

Chandan Roy Sanyal is decent but is unable to bring the required verve. As a result, the courtroom sequences between Raveena and him feel one-sided.

The songs also come across as uninvited guests slowing down the proceedings.

Verdict

At two hours and 5 minutes, Patna Shuklla makes for a crisp and gripping watch in spite of the Jolly LLB hangover.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/patna-shuklla-hindi-movie-review/

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Mohanlal and Anaswara Rajan’s Neru


Jeetu Joseph’s Neru is no Drishyam. There are no big twists and turns here. The plot is set up within the first ten minutes. A blind girl Sara (Anaswara Rajan) is sexually assaulted by an intruder who turns out to be a cliched spoilt brat. In spite of being blind Sara is a skilled sculptor. Mohanlal plays a not so confident lawyer Vijaymohan who eventually gets back his rhythm. The legendary actor perfectly blends into the narrative and plays his supporting role to perfection.

Siddiqui and Priyamani also make for competent adversaries. However the best bits of the film belong to Anaswara Rajan. Her character of Sara has been designed with the right mixture of vulnerability and braveness. Through her role Jeetu Joseph talks about how a rape victim should not hide behind a veil and let that dark chapter define her existence. Jeetu Joseph also does a brilliant job in showcasing the grit of a blind girl. Her eyes not functioning does not make her any less of a human being. Sara has other senses that make up for what she lacks. Anaswara Rajan does an outstanding job and more than holds her own opposite these seasoned actors. (Streaming site Disney+Hotstar)

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Karmma Calling: An Impressive Raveena Tandon, But A Feeble Tale Of Revenge

Main Cast: Raveena Tandon, Namrata Sheth, Varun Sood, Viraf Patel, and Vikramjeet Virk Director: Ruchi Narain
Producer: RAT films
Music Director: Relish
Cinematography: Bhushankumar Jain
Rating: 2/5

For any revenge drama to work, one aspect is of utmost importance; the viewers should feel a certain tension for the protagonist —whether or not she/he will achieve the goal. There should be moments where the protagonist is on the brink of loss.

For those not aware, the web series Karmma Calling, now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, is based on an American TV Show called Revenge (2017).

In this desi adaption, Raveena Tandon plays Indrani Kothari. She is a former actress and now a huge socialite in Alibaug. However, her life changes drastically with the entry of a mysterious young girl named Karma Talwar (Namrata Sheth).

The arrival of Karma turns many lives upside down. She has a score to settle with Indrani and the people connected to her.

In simple terms, Karmma Calling focuses on a young girl’s quest for retribution.

Redeeming factors

Namrata Sheth in Karmma Calling
Namrata Sheth in ‘Karmma Calling’. (X)

One of the few redeeming aspects of Karmma Calling is Raveena Tandon’s performance. OTT has opened a new space for senior actresses with author-backed roles; this web show is another example of the same.

Raveena pulls off the grey shades well. She also does well in the scenes showing the fragility of Indirani. Rohit Roy Bose, as Karma’s father, has an extended cameo. He only appears in the flashback, but still, he leaves an impact in the limited screen time.

The cinematography and the costume design are also appropriately glossy.

Director Ruchi Narain does a good job of exploring the politics of high society.

Loopholes in the web series

Varun Sood in Karmma Calling
Varun Sood in ‘Karmma Calling’. (X)

A major problem with Karmma Calling is the badly-written screenplay, particularly in the revenge portions.

For example, Karma is introduced as an orphan who acquires a lot of wealth. But there is no explanation of any shorts about how she ends up with so much money.

Additionally, no information is given about how she maintains a spacious house with no job other than plotting.

Even the scenes of Karma creating havoc in the life of Indrani and those connected to her leave little to no impact. A major reason is the easiness with which she executes her plans.

Namrata Sheth tries her best to rise above the lazy writing, but her rawness as an actor is visible.

The supporting characters also leave a lot to be desired in both writing and performance.

Viraf Patel plays a rich gay man who is a paternal figure for Karma. He is annoyingly over the top.

Varun Sood and Devangshi Sen, as Indrani’s rebellious children, make for good eye candy. But performance-wise, they come across as too stiff.

Final take

This revenge saga is terribly undernourished and can be easily given a miss.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/karmma-calling-web-series-review/

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The Freelancer-The Conclusion: Tame Ending Plays A Spoilsport In This Otherwise Gripping Rescue Drama

Mohit Raina delivers an explosive performance. Kashmira Pardeshi effortlessly brings out various emotions of fear, hope, and vulnerability.

Has its issues but you’ll enjoy!

The Freelancer The Conclusion (Hindi)

  • Cast: Kashmira Pardeshi, Mohit Raina, Anupam Kher, and Ayesha Raza
  • Director: Bhav Dhulia
  • Producer: Neeraj Pandey
  • No. of episodes: 3
  • OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

For those who haven’t seen the first season of The Freelancer, the story is primarily about a newly married girl struck in ISIS-controlled Syria. The web series is based on the novel “A Ticket To Syria” by Shirish Thorat.

Alia (Kashmira Pardeshi) is manipulated by her husband and in-laws and taken to Syria. She does not know the real identity of her new family.

However, after a while, Alia realises that the terrorist outfit has brainwashed her husband and in-laws.

On the other hand, ex-police officer-turned-mercenary Avinash (Mohit Raina) shares a close bond with Alia from her childhood. He takes it upon himself to bring her back from Syria, no matter the dangers involved.

Avinash instils confidence in Alia to hang in there and not lose hope.

And now, The Freelancer —The Conclusion, the second season of The Freelancer, is about how Avinash carries out this dangerous operation with the help of his friends and fights his inner demons.

Analysis

The Freelancer The Conclusion poster
A poster of ‘The Freelancer-The Conclusion’. (DisneyPlusHS/X)

A strong aspect of The Freelancer —The Conclusion is the technical department.

The production values of the web series are fantastic.

The recreation of ISIS-controlled Syria has an authentic feel.

The action sequences have been well choreographed.

Director Bhav Dhulia is also successful in maintaining a good pace.

Of course, Alia gets eventually rescued, but you are still tense about how she will come out safe. There is one moment in particular when everything seems lost, and the viewers feel tense about the safety of Alia.

Unlike the first season, the scenes of Avinash and his wife (played by Manjari Fadnnis) suffering from the aftermath of their son’s death have come out much better.

A good example is the scene where the husband and wife finally find closure and decide to move on.

Mohit Raina & Kashmira Pardeshi are show-stealers

The Freelancer The Conclusion web series
‘The Freelancer-The Conclusion’ web series is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar. (DisneyPlusHS/X)

The character arc of Anupam Kher, who plays the mentor-cum-guiding force of Avinash, has not seen any growth. But still, the senior actor has a pleasing presence.

It is Mohit Raina and Kashmira Pardeshi who majorly shoulder the acting department.

Mohit Raina delivers an explosive performance both in action scenes and serious ones.

Kashmira Pardeshi carries off from where she left in the first season without hiccups. She effortlessly brings out various emotions of fear, hope, and vulnerability.

What does not work for The Freelancer — The Conclusion is the staging of the final operation. Here, the director makes it look like an absolute cakewalk.

Also, the show needed some good emotional moments between Avinash and Alia after the final rescue.

From the beginning, the viewers are made to believe that this rescue operation is personal for Avinash. But that does not come across strongly in the final portions due to the sketchy writing.

Verdict

The Freelancer — The Conclusion has its issues, but there is enough to enjoy, especially if you are a fan of Neeraj Pandey.

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Mansion 24: An Unimaginative Horror Flick With Clichéd Jump Scares

Mansion 24 (Telugu)

  • Cast: Varalakshmi Sarathkumar, Satya Raj, Rao Ramesh, Tulasi, Nandu, and Avika Gor
  • Director: Ohmkar
  • Producer: Ashwin Babu and Kalyan Chakravarthy
  • Music: Vikas Badisha
  • No. of episodes: 6
  • OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

After carving a niche for himself in television, Ohmkar made his directorial debut with the film Genius (2012) which didn’t live up to the title and ended up being a dud.

But the filmmaker found success with Raju Gari Gadhi released in 2015. It was a mix of comedy, horror, and family emotions culminating with a message.

The movie was a success at the box office and this led to two more films made with the same title.

However, the subsequent films Raju Gari Gadhi 2 (2017) and Raju Gari Gadhi 3 (2019) weren’t financially successful.

Now, the director has made his web series debut with Mansion 24 where the story is heavily reminiscent of his previous work. The only difference in Mansion 24 is that you don’t have any comedy track to ease the tension-filled atmosphere.

Synopsis

Kalidas (Satya Raj) is one of the most revered archaeologists in this country. In the middle of a particular excavation, he disappears without any trace. Not surprisingly, he is labelled as a traitor.

Amrutha (Varalakshmi Sarathkumar) is an investigative journalist and daughter of Kalidas. She takes it upon herself to trace his whereabouts and clear her father’s name.

In this quest, she heads to a mansion that is both abandoned and haunted.

Seetharam (Rao Ramesh), the supposed watchman, tells Amrutha about the various paranormal activities that have happened in the mansion.

In a nutshell, the story is about the various challenges that Amrutha faces in her journey to find out about the alleged betrayal of her father.

Mini-stories fall flat

To give credit where it is due, director Ohmkar is initially successful in creating a strong emotional foundation, the viewers do want Amrutha to succeed.

Also, through the mini-stories, Ohmkar touches upon some societal issues by talking about the ghosts within us.

However, the problem with these mini-stories is the lazy writing. Most of the characters have been poorly etched. As a result, the viewers don’t enjoy these mini-stories as much as they should.

The only segment which has some meat is the one involving Nandu and Bindu Madhavi. Nandu plays a ruthless conman with the right amount of scariness.

The viewers feel afraid of Nandu whenever he appears on the screen.

Bindu Madhavi brings an emotional gravitas to her part of a woman, who has a personal score to settle with Nandu’s character.

Another big problem with Mansion 24 is the characterisations of Satya Raj and Tulasi. Tulasi plays the mother of Amrutha. Neither of them has been fleshed out sufficiently.

Adding to the woes is a melodramatic scene where the mother suddenly recovers from a severe health issue.

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar is effective in portraying the different nuances of Amrutha. The actress manages to rise above the sketchy writing, the viewers wish that she had chosen a much better story.

Characters hear strange sounds, there is a man with a long beard who mouths Sanskrit slokas, and all the ghosts wear white clothes among others. The bankruptcy of ideas is clearly visible.

The cinematography and the production design are in tune with the show’s nature, but there is no element that particularly stands out. The tried and tested horror elements are all there.

Final take

To sum it up, it is high time that Ohmkar let go of the horror genre and did something different.

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The Freelancer: Another Espionage Drama That Explores Global Politics

Bhav Dhulia might have directed it but it is an extension of Neeraj Pandey’s ‘Baby’ and ‘Special Ops’; war-torn Syria is the USP here.

Keeps you hooked to your seats!
The Freelancer (Hindi)
  • Cast: Mohit Raina, Kashmira Pardeshi, Sushant Singh, and Anupam Kher
  • Director: Bhav Dhulia
  • Producers: Gaurav Banerjee, Varun Malik, and Mahesh Menon
  • Music: Sanjoy Chowdhury
  • No. of episodes: 4
  • OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

After the hugely controversial and successful The Kerala Story (2023), we have another story that looks at the ISIS terror groups who want to conquer the world and the extent they would go for it.

For those who are not aware this web show is based on the book “A Ticket to Syria” by writer Shirish Thorat.

In simple terms, The Freelancer focuses on the plight of a newly married girl named Aliya (Kashmira Pardeshi). Her husband Mohsin takes her to Istanbul on the pretext of honeymoon, but his actual intention is something else.

Aliya has no idea that her husband and in-laws have been completely brainwashed by ISIS and want her to be a tool in their plans, too. She is not allowed to communicate with her parents and becomes a virtual prisoner.

Mohit Raina plays Avinash Kamat, an ex-cop turned mercenary.

The title — The Freelancer — refers to this kind of mercenary who fights as a soldier for any group or country that would pay him or her.

Avinash’s physical prowess is established very early on.

Avinash and Aliya’s father Inayat (Sushant Singh) are good friends. After learning about her plight, Inayat tries to contact her, but he doesn’t succeed. In desperation and guilt, he commits suicide.

Aliya’s mother requests Avinash to somehow bring her back.

The first season primarily focuses on how Aliya gets trapped in Syria and how she manages to get in contact with Avinash.

Performances

The Freelancer works best when it focuses on the plight of Aliya, and also ravaged terrain of Syria.

Brainwashing done in the name of religion is something that we have seen earlier as well. But it becomes uncomfortable when the stories emanate only from groups like ISIS.

The character of Aliya is the backbone of The Freelancer. She goes through varied emotions.

The young actress delivers a commendable performance. Her conversations with her mother (Ayesha Raza) are particularly impactful.

As viewers, we feel anxious about Aliya’s safety and want her to come out safe.

Sushant Singh effectively conveys the desperation of a father in the screen time he has.

Mohit Raina makes for a formidable mercenary and also a concerned uncle.

Anupam Kher as the mentor figure has a pleasing presence but the part feels undercooked.

Technical aspects

Cinematographers Tojo Xavier, Arvind Singh, and Sudhir Palsane do a good job of capturing the many locations through their lenses. Their work stands out more when they recreate the harsh terrain of Syria — whether it is the camps, local markets or dilapidated houses.

Though a lot of back and forth keeps happening editing is quite seamless.

What doesn’t work for The Freelancer is the track of Mohit Raina and the complicated relationship that he shares with his on-screen wife (Manjari Fadnnis). It is weakly written, and as a result, their track comes across as more of an unnecessary distraction.

Final take

The Freelancer ends with a cliffhanger of Aliya’s in-laws turning suicide bombers. This makes the viewers even more hooked about what would unfold in Season 2.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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The Night Manager Part 2: High On Both Thrills And Human Drama

Part 2 of this espionage drama gives a deep insight into global politics through the character of Shelly played by Anil Kapoor.

Stands out for its performances!
The Night Manager Part 2 (Hindi)
  • Cast: Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Tillotama Shome, and Saswata Chatterjee
  • Direction: Sandeep Modi, Priyanka Ghose, and Rukh Nabeel
  • Producers: Deepak Dhar, Rishi Negi, and Rajesh Chadha
  • Music: Sam CS
  • No. of episodes: 3
  • OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

The first part of The Night Manager followed the journey of an ex-Navy guy-turned-night manager Shaan Sengupta (Aditya Roy Kapur). His life takes a drastic turn when a tormented teenager seeks help from him.

The husband of this teen is a criminal and much older than her. He is also an associate of a businessman named Shelly (Anil Kapoor).

On the surface, Shelly is supposed to be a philanthropist. But in reality, he is a businessman who deals in illegal arms.

Shaan takes the help of a woman called Lipika Saikia Rao (Tillotama Shome) who works for the Indian intelligence.

In spite of his best efforts, Shaan isn’t able to save the teenager. And this leaves him absolutely shattered.

The crux of The Night Manager Part 1 was primarily about how Shaan manages to impress Shelly and gets access to his inner circle.

Season 2 synopsis

The Night Manager Part 2 begins with the illegal arms dealer Shailendra Rungta aka Shelly.

He is still not aware of Shaan’s real identity. His trust in Shaan is so firm that he even makes him a business partner.

On the other hand, Lipika is continuing to trace Shelly at the cost of facing heat from the system.

There is also a secret love story developing between Shaan and Shailendra’s girlfriend Kaveri K Dixit (Sobhita Dhulipala).

However, Shelly’s friend Brijpal (Saswata Chatterjee) isn’t still convinced about Shaan’s reliability. Adding to Brijpal’s woes, he loses Shelly’s trust.

Like most espionage dramas, this web series is also about a man who rises against all odds to save the country. At the same time, The Night Manager Part 2 gives a deep insight into global politics through the character of Shelly.

Sobhita gets a strong role

A big area of improvement in comparison to The Night Manager Part 1 is how the makers designed the character of Sobhita Dhulipala’s Kaveri.

In the first season, she was more of a glam doll. But now, the character has been explored much more.

The romantic moments between Shaan and Kaveri are subtle yet effective. However, as viewers you do wish that Kaveri shouldn’t have been reduced to a damsel in distress towards the end.

Sobhita Dhulipala is quite good and does hold her own opposite the terrific Anil Kapoor.

A peek into world politics

Coming to Anil Kapoor, he does a fantastic job of portraying the evilness of Shelly. The monster side of Shelly comes out much more in The Night Manager Part 2.

For example, there is a scene where he butchers a former associate to death with what looks like a Reynolds ballpoint pen.

One of my favourite moments in the show is when he chews on the cigar and talks about bombs in a poetic way. It is so good to see Anil Kapoor reinventing himself constantly.

As earlier mentioned, the theme of global politics is explored through the character of Shelly.

He may look like the villain, but in reality, he is someone who is very much needed by the Indian government. Because people like him are hired to do the dirty work which the government doesn’t want to lay its hands on.

At one point, Shelly is compared to Osama Bin Laden whom America thought it could control, at least at one point in time.

These moments make the show a cut above the usual espionage drama.

Other characters

Aditya Roy Kapur shows once again why he is perfect for the role of Shaan. He lends the required mystery as Shaan doesn’t express a lot. His good looks also come in handy since Shaan is meant to be a seducer as well.

Another character from The Night Manager Part 2 that stays with the viewers is Saswata Chatterjee’s Brijpal. He effortlessly conveys the turmoil of a man who is losing the trust of his friend.

Tillotama Shome as the heavily pregnant intelligence officer continues her impressive form.

She is in equal parts resilient and vulnerable. She also gets her share of masala moments and the actress knocks them out of the park.

The cinematography by Benjamin Jasper and Anik Ram Verma is of the highest order. The desert shots, in particular, deserve mention.

The background music by Sam CS elevates the drama in several places.

Final take

The Night Manager Part 2 is an espionage drama that manages to stand out with its understanding of world politics and stellar performances.

(Views expressed here are personal.)