KOHRRA (PUNJABI) (2023)

Set in a small town in Punjab, Kohrra (Mist), a six part web series,  is, at its surface level, a slow burn investigation into the mysterious murder of a young NRI man shortly before his marriage.

What makes it exceptional is the way it constructs its universe of characters - all flawed in some measure - and succeeds in taking a deep dive into their lives scarred with deep-seated traumatic episodes and struggles set against the wider landscape of today's Punjab with its issues like addiction, feudal and patriarchal society, and much more.

The emotions are affective even as the mystery builds on the viewers - engrossing us like a winter's mist that shrouds an entire city, gradually in the beginning and building steadily to engulf it entirely.

Excellent casting who deliver in aces and fine writing which builds in several layers make this one of the best series in recent times.

A MUST WATCH !

RATING - 4/5

PS - Streaming on Netflix

DAHAAD (HINDI) - Season 1

A police investigative thriller, set in a small town of Rajasthan, follows the journey of a bunch of cops on the trail of a serial killer who preys on desperate women.

Gripping for the most part, this 8-part series has sincere performances from a stellar cast headlined by a feisty Sonakshi Sinha and chilling Vijay Verma who are supported ably by Gulshan Devaiah, Sohum Shah and others.

Series creators Reema Kagti and Zoya Akthar who had earlier collaborated on Talaash have delivered a solid thriller that is firmly grounded in the small-town landscape. They have layered the narrative with seamlessly woven strands of a searing commentary on the oppressions based on caste and gender into the narrative. My major grouse was on their failure to amp up the final act.

WORTH A WATCH !

RATING - 3.5/5

Streaming on Amazon Prime

DELHI CRIME (HINDI/ENGLISH) (20200

This web series directed by Richie Mehta recounting the Nirbhaya investigation in a seven part mini series packs a gut punch.

With sharp writing and crisp editing, the series dives right into the action and does not let go till the last episode.

Apt casting and solid performances - especially, Shefali Shah, Rajesh Tailang, Rasika Duggal and Adil Hussain along with a host of supporting cast who put in sincere performances.

Richly deserved the Emmy honours.

A MUST WATCH !!

RATING - 4/5

PS - Streaming on Netflix

SCAM 1992 (HINDI) (2020)

The ten part web series directed by Hansal Mehta is easily the best I've seen yet among Indian shows.

Based on a book by Sucheta Dalal and Debashish Sahu, this balanced narrative is well acted especially from the lead Pratik Gandhi who lives the role and ably supported by Shreya Dhanwantry, Rajat Kapoor, Anant Mahadevan, Satish Kaushik who are excellently in their own parts; 

The title track from Achint Thakkar is catchy and hooks you immediately; the episodes clock along crisply at a healthy momentum and the series also benefits immensely by staying true to the Gujju roots of its lead characters.

Kudos to the entire team👍🏽

MUST WATCH !!

RATING - 4/5 

PS - Streaming on SonyLiv

PAAVA KADHAIGAL (aka STORIES OF SIN) (TAMIL) (2020)

This Tamil anthology mini web series consists of 4 episodes directed by noted Tamil directors - Vignesh Sivan, Gautam Vasudev Menon, Vetrimaaran and Sudha Kongara. 

Each episode narrates a story that revolves around the common theme of violent sins related to honour and identity which is associated with the usual elements of caste, class and gender. There are also subtle connecting threads that run across these episodes.

Expectedly, the material is dark and except for the episode directed by Vignesh Sivan featuring dark sarcastic humour, the mood remains grim, intense and frequently, tense. 

The ensemble cast featuring Anjali (looking fresh, in a dual role), Kalki, GVM, Simran, Prakash Raj, Sai Pallavi, Shantanu and Kalidas are impressive and along with the supporting cast provide neat performances.

On the flip side, the stories tend to trod a predictable path and the melodrama is often amped up. Nevertheless, the predictability does not pare down the impact significantly, thanks to the handling and the melodramatic parts too serve a similar purpose.

In all, this is an admirable beginning that augurs well for the Tamil webseries space.

WORTH A WATCH !!

RATING - 3.5/5

PS - Streaming on Netflix