Release date : June 19, 2021
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Vidya Balan, Mukul Chadda, Vijay Raaz, Neeraj Kabi, Rajesh Bonik
Director : Amit Masurkar
Producer : Zaid Ali, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Vikram Malhotra
Music Director : Utkarsh Umesh Dhotekar
Cinematography : Rakesh Haridas
Editor : Dipika Kalra
Starring : Neeraj Kabi, Gul Panag, Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhishek Banerjee, Mairembam Ronaldo Singh, Swastika Mukherjee
Directed by : Avinash Arun & Prosit Roy
Producer(s) : Clean Slate Films, Anushka Sharma’s banner
Cinematography : Avinash Arun, Saurabh Goswami
So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows during the lockdown period, our today’s pick is the latest Hindi web series Paatal Lok. Produced by star heroine Anushka Sharma, this series is available on Amazon Prime.
What’s it about?
In the heat of Delhi traffic, four criminals get caught red-handed fleeing the city. The news comes in that this group landed in the city to kill a famous TV journalist Sanjeev Mehra(Neeraj Kabi). The Delhi police select inspector Hati Ram Choudary(Jaideep Ahlawat) to crack this case. But as the web series progresses, Hati Ram comes to know that some of the biggest heads in the country are involved in this case. How does he crack the case forms the rest of the story?
What’s good?
Paatal Lok has a solid script and that is the main strength of the web series. The manner in which the story unfolds with each episode is riveting and has been executed in the best way possible. The back story of each of the criminals is shown in a gruesome manner. The detailing that has gone into the writing is on another level as every nitty-gritty of logic and how the whole media and political game played is shown in a terrific manner.
Jaideep Ahlawat gives his career-best performance. His slang as the Delhi police and how he fights alone to crack the case, the actor has showcased it in a solid manner. Abhishek Banerjee as Haotda Tyagi was brutal in his role. Gul Panag did her house wife’s role well. The caste-based politics in UP have been showcased well. Ishwak Singh as Ansari is also amazing in the series.
The web series has the best production values and looks so realistic. The BGM, camerawork, and props used are so real and effective. The series has 10 episodes and every episode is filled with crime and suspense which keeps you hooked till the end.
What’s bad
The story is simple but the way it is unraveled is a bit complex. If you miss a few scenes or an episode it is very hard to understand what is going on in the story. Things should have been simplified a bit for the common man to understand the proceedings a bit more easily. There is too much gore and is surely not for family audience.
Final Word :
Overall, Paatal Lok is one of the best web series that has come out in recent times. The writing, setup, performances, and execution is top-notch. All those who have an eye for investigative thrillers will just love this series. Barring the slightly complex narration in a few episodes, Paatal Lok is a must-watch during this lockdown. Don’t Miss it.
Rating: 3.5/5
Starring : Neeraj Kabi, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Danish Husain
Directed by : Pushpendra Nath Misra
Producer(s) : Divyaa Iyer
Cinematography : Will Humphris
So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows during the lockdown period, our today’s pick is the web series Taj Mahal 1989 Directed by Puspendra Nath Mishra, this web series is available on Netflix.
What’s it about?
This web series is set in Lucknow university in the year 1989 and revolves around a couple played by Akhtar (Neeraj Kabi) and Sarita (Geetanjali Kulkarni) who are going through a mid-life crisis where romance is missing. On the other hand, there is a love triangle between three students of the same university. Rashmi (Anshul Chauhan) and Dharam (Paras Priyadarshan) are dating, while Angad (Anud Singh Dhaka), a close friend who loves Rashmi. The rest of the story is as to how their lives unfold in this bygone era.
What’s good?
The age-old romance in the bygone era is showcased beautifully. As it is set in the romantic city of ancient Lucknow, things look good in the matter of subtle romance. The attention for detail and coming of age for all the key characters has been showcased quite well. Sarita, played by Geetanjali Kulkarni, is clearly the most three-dimensional character and Geetanjali does well in her role. The discussion about how one should feel free in love is also showcased well. The political angle involved in the set up has also been executed well.
What’s bad?
The production values of the film are not that great. Things could have been even better in terms of editing and background score. There are many scenes that should have been edited out. The web series is a bit lengthy for its taking. Also, the philosophy of the young lovers showcased in this series looks way too modern and does not feel that you are in 1989. This part, the director has messed up a bit. The school girl romancing an elderly boy looks a bit odd in places.
Final Word
Overall, Taj Mahal 1989 is a web series that has a very interesting premise. The performances and take on love in the bygone era is also good. However, the length of the web series and its slow pace can get you at times. If you are the ones who love age-old romance and conflicts that adults went through in the late ’80s, you will like it. But one to have a lot of patience.
123telugu.com Rating : 2.5/5
