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Reviews
Wakaalat from Home (2020)
Timepass
Plot :- WKH is the collection of video call recordings of divorce hearings of a young couple portrayed in a light hearted comical manner.
Review
Wakaalat From Home is the latest series which has been shot entirely in Lockdown. Creativity of indian creators is glaringly visible in such series. WKH is a satire on the changing dynamics of a young couple's relationship and the attempts for settlement of their lawyers. The lawyers bring life to the show with the humour and stupidity. Almost every line is treated as a punchline and is told in a humorous way. But, these one liners become a bit monotonous after a time and series starts to become boring. That's when the end of show comes near and a few cameos enlighten the screen which helps the viewers to complete the show. Gopal Dutt and Sumeet Vyas are superb and are the reasons for all the smiles generated. Overall, WKH is not a bad watch for 2½ hours of pure entertainment.
Rating :- 7.5/10
JL50 (2020)
Good experiment!
JL50
Season:-01
Episodes: 04 (35 mins each)
Genre:- Mystery Science Fiction
Streaming Platform:- Sony Liv
Cast:- Abhay Deol, Pankaj Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma, Ritika Anand, Piyush Mishra
Creator:- Shailendar Vyas
Plot :- An aeroplane goes missing in 1984 and is found in crashed position in 2019. CBI officer is then appointed to solve the mystery only to discover unbelievable facts about science.
Review
JL50 was a film shot in 2017 but the producers weren't able to release it at that time due to some reasons. SonyLiv picked up this film and turned it into a mini web show. JL50 is clearly an experiment which the indian audience would not have been ready in 2017 but surely are ready now in 2020. With all the creative content being released in lockdown, this one's a brave attempt to show Sci-fi genre in india. It doesn't completely work and could've been a lot better but this experiment surely works. The crisp screenplay and editing make a great ingredient for a quick watch.
Positive aspects
1) Screenplay
The investigative approach in building up to the main theme of science fiction attracts the viewers instantly and the mystery is built with a lot of precision. The mythological part also keeps engaging the viewers.
2) Layered Characters
JL50 is not just about the mystery because the director tries to show all the traits of the character and wants the viewers to feel the sadness which the protagonist undergoes in the last episode.
3) Performances
Pankaj Kapoor returns after a long time and fits into the role of a wicked scientist perfectly. Abhay deol and rajesh Sharma as the CBI officers also do a great job. And Piyush Mishra in his short role as a villian steals the show with power packed performance.
Negative Aspects
1) The actual Science
It's a brave attempt for sure and almost a successful one. But the science behind the plot of the show is weak. It contradicts itself in many parts. The plot could've been a lot more better and logical. But nevertheless, it works for first timers.
2) Drama
Last episode brings down the show because of all the drama and useless scenes. Some viewers may be disappointed after the suspense is revealed.
3) Anti climatic end for the villian
More scenes could've been given to Piyush Mishra just to give him the required closure which felt missing at the end of movie.
Verdict
JL50 might not appeal to the old generation of Bollywood viewers who are not used to such kind of stuff. It may also not appeal to the young kids who have grown seeing inception and avengers endgame. But it still is a good attempt to bring such concept in the indian films and series. JL50 is a one time watch.
Rating :- 7/10
Mirzapur (2018)
Exciting!
Mirzapur
Season:- 01
Episodes:- 09 (45 mins each)
Genre:- Gangster Drama
Streaming Platform:- Amazon Prime
Cast:- Ali Fazal, Vikrant Massey, Divyendu, Pankaj Tripathi, Shweta Tripathi, Shriya Pilgaonkar , Abhishek Banerjee.
Creator :- Karan Anshuman, Puneet Krishna.
Story
Mirzapur has 2 main storylines which are interrelated and run parallelly. 1st one involves Kaleen Bhaiya who is an underworld don and is about the gang wars, the gun business and politics which he's involved in. The other one is about 2 brothers (sons of a very honest lawyer) who are forced to join Kaleen Bhaiya's gang and how it affects their personal life and relationships. Adding to this, There's Munna (son of Kaleen Bhaiya) who hates his dad and wants to take over all the business as soon as possible.
Good aspects
1) The vibe
The vibe, the culture and the atmosphere which Mirzapur manages to set up in just 1 episode is fantastic and soaks the audience in from the word go!
2) Staying True to it's roots
Usually any depiction of underworld or gang wars tend to go downhill after an engaging premise due to violence or too many murders. But, here the show stays true to the basics by showing the reality without dramatising the locations or scenes way too much.
3) Crisp Editing
Editing of Mirzapur is the main reason because of which the viewers are hooked to the show and the eagerness to see 'what will happen next' is built.
4)Sub plots
Some of the sub-plots, although short, add to the main storyline and keep building up to an exciting finale. All the plots meet up in the final episode and viewers are left with a cliffhanger for season 2.
5) Star Cast
Each and every character is special and the actors have given power packed performances. Vikrant Massey with his charming personality is the game changer. Ali Fazal and Divyendu also deliver wonderful performances. Pankaj Tripathi is the protagonist and again proves why he's the best of the lot. The ladies- Shweta Tripathi, Rasika Duggal, Shriya Pilgaonkar also fit into the respective roles perfectly.
Bad Aspects
1) Rushed
Mirzapur feels a bit rushed to jump off to conclusions in some side plots. For example the scene of a new police officer's entry is efficiently built up for investigation at a point. But just 15-20 mins of footage after that is given to that story. Mirzapur follows it's own dialogue "Garam Karke Thanda Chod Diye" at times.
2) Violent
Murder scenes and sex scenes are uncalled for and could have been chopped off a bit.
3) Too many Characters
Many characters are introduced in the course of the show due to which the leads are not being given more time. The footage given to a few characters between their entry and death is very less.
Verdict
Mirzapur is strong. Mirzapur is a feeling. Mirzapur is a culture. This show manages to indulge the audience in such a manner that any incident with any character makes the viewers feel for the character. It is entertaining and binge worthy.
Rating:- 9/10
Avrodh: The Siege Within (2020)
Energetic!
Avrodh
Season:- 01
Episodes:- 09 (30 mins each)
Genre:- Military Drama
Streaming Platform :- SonyLiv
Plot:- Avrodh deals with the politics and the backstory behind the URI attacks by the Indian Army Special Task Force on the Pakistani Terrorist pads.
Review
Theme of Avrodh is to focus on the circumstances that led to the planning and execution of URI attacks. As long as it sticks to the theme, it appears to be a very good watch. But, as soon as the focus shifts to the media subplot and the terrorist side story, viewers start to doubt what's real and what has been showed in the name of "creative liberty". Avrodh is based on the book "India's Most Fearless" and the book-to-series adaption works very well. Viewer's get to know many stories which they might not be familiar with about the incident. Cinematography is excellent and very real and stands out as the show's strong point. Realistic visuals appeal to the viewers successfully. Avrodh can appear to be a propaganda series at times but works well because of the basic storyline which is familiar with the audience.
What works
1) Ensemble Cast
Extremely talented cast consisting of Amit Sadh, Vikram Gokhale, Neeraj Kabi, Madhurima Tuli, Darshan Kumaar and Anant Mahadevan come all together to deliver powerful performances.
2) Realistic Screenplay
Being true and fair to the subject by showing realistic shots and no non-sense sequences makes Avrodh a compelling series to watch.
3) message
The portrayal of Indian Army and the aggressive side of India under Modi has been highlighted and has been given proper screentime to convey this message.
What doesn't work
1) Propaganda
The series feels like a Propaganda series at times when it shows a one dimensional approach to the attacks. Relatively smaller and normal decisions have been glorified to prove a point.
2) Negligence of the actual attacks
Avrodh focuses on the backstory and behind-the-scenes of the URI attacks due to which the charm of the actual attacks is lost somewhere. Detailing and the incidents during the attacks is skipped and the incident for which the series is built feels a bit rushed due to this.
3) Media involvement
Although concluded nicely, the media sub-plot is unnecessary and is just used for the sake of increasing the length of the show.
Verdict
Avrodh is a compelling series which keeps viewer's hooked till the very end. As a proud Indian, it's a must watch series. Avrodh makes us feel proud and gives a lot of information which most of the Indians do not know because it was never released in the public domain. Watch it for the drama and psychology behind the decision making before and during the attacks.
Rating:- 8.5/10
Bandish Bandits (2020)
Treat for music lovers
Bandish Bandits
Season:-01
Episodes :- 10 (45 mins each)
Genre:- Musical Drama
Streaming Platform:- Amazon Prime
Plot:- A classical singer falls in love with a modern stage performer and is forced to balance between his strict old grandfather teacher and the cool and carefree pop star.
Review
Bandish Bandits is not a typical indian webseries which the audience is used to. BB is nonchalant in creating a dark environment for thrillers. Instead it chooses the path of a light note romantic comic musical drama with layered script writing. This experiment works wonderfully because of it's freshness. It's beautifully shot in Jaipur and manages to create a soothing and peaceful environment of itself. Bandish bandits starts off slow and takes enough time for introduction of the characters and setting up the plot. The series takes a new turn after entry of Atul Kulkarni (no spoilers) because of which it doesn't just rely on the songs to make itself a fun watch. Songs are the driving force of BB and music lovers must watch it as soon as possible. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have done a fantastic job and the credit for the show's overwhelming joy ride should be shared with the trio and not only the creators. Storyline might seem a bit predictable and straight forward but it's more than enough to keep the show alive.
What works
1) The Fresh Concept
BB instantly soaks the viewers in it's world of classical music infused with a family drama and a rising pop star who has her own insecurities. Everything about this feels very fresh.
2) Locations and Cinematography
Jaipur is an all time favourite for shooting of commercial films and webseries because of it's authenticity and it's beautiful locations have been utilised perfectly by the cinematographer.
3) Emotions
Creators have managed to induce the required emotions in the viewers because of the perfection of a few important scenes. They have found either Songs, expressions, dialogues or even silence to build the apt emotion and feeling for the character.
4) Songs
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have managed to create a fantastic music album that includes both- the classical and upbeat songs. Almost every classical song is soothing to the ears and takes the viewers in a different world. Even the non classical music lovers would love this album. Songs in BB create an atmosphere which helps audience connect with the characters and also keeps the series flowing at a proper pace. Songs keep the viewers engaged in the show and in the end, it's due to the songs that the viewers are left wanting for more. Special mention to Viraah and Lab Par Aaye which are the highlights of the show. Singers also have done a fantastic job in playback as well as the short scenes where they were asked to forcefully go wrong in their singing. Atul Kulkarni while acting out the singing part of the songs is icing on the cake. This series wouldn't have been this interesting without it's songs.
What doesn't work
1) Slow Start
First 3 episodes start off slowly and more footage is given to conversations between the male and female protagonist rather than building up the storyline. After the 4th episode, show picks up the pace and moves smoothly.
2) Side Actors
Rajesh Tailang and Amit Mistry who play the father and uncle of the male protagonist are under utilised and in the end have very less contribution to the overall storyline.
3) Straightforward Narrative
The story is quite predictable and straightforward which might upset a certain section of viewers. But BB isn't completely about the story. It's about the characters and the music.
Verdict
Bandish Bandits is more than a rom-com or just a musical drama. It is a fresh concept that needs to be encouraged and enjoyed. If you're looking for a feel-good vibe and the genre suits your taste, BB is a perfect watch which won't disappoint. Viewers may not be used to the genre and type of the show but surely will enjoy the series thoroughly if they are music lovers.
Rating:- 9/10