CAST: Jaideep Ahlawat, Gul Panag, Neeraj Kabi, Abhishek Banerjee, Swastika Mukherjee
DIRECTED BY: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Sudip Sharma is the writer of cult classics like Udta Punjab and NH10. He has also scripted Anushka Sharma’s Paatal Lok, which has the potential of becoming perhaps one of the most prolific pieces of film-making coming out of India.
Starring Jaideep Ahlawat, Gul Panag, Neeraj Kabi, Abhishek Banerjee, Swastika Mukherjee in lead roles, this is a masterpiece in storytelling.
There are layers to the story that are subtle and there are undercurrents that are in the face, but the narrative portrays a very evocative world of the educated elite with their privilege and their relationship with other fractions of the society, not so privileged.
The characters are well developed and the actors method. Each and every one of them stands out in their roles. Most notable amongst them are Gul Panag, who we couldn’t even recognize at first. She shines in her portrayal of a lower middle class Delhi housewife.
Jaideep Ahlawat carries the series on his very talented shoulders. And Abhishek Banerjee, who is savagely impressive in a genre other than comedy. Another notable presence is that of Ishwak Singh as Imran Ansari, who makes his presence felt in every frame.
The story is very well evolved, directed and executed flawlessly. We have definitely seen great writing and talent come out of India in the last couple of years, since the democratization of the legacy channels to viewers. In absence of the selective methods to reach an audience, Indian content has exploded. Not only has the talent that was hiding in the masses of the country, suddenly come to the forefront but also the genre and quality of content being developed and created is explosive.
Patal Lok is just a small example of what is possible if content is made for the changing tastes of the audience rather than for ratings,
The depiction of the class dynamic between the educated elite and the colorful lives of those living a life to serve that elite is very stark. The media savvy opportunist talk show host, his psychotic wife, an extramarital affair without judgement, the relationship between the investigating cops, the way opportunity creates relationships, breaks them or indispensability of all make strange bedfellows. The story is just the most superlative part of this web series. Jaideep Ahlawat paints his canvas in unseen before colors. He lives his character and delights every sense that the audience brings to the show,holding them in rapture.
On the whole, not missable. Kudos to the team that created this cult series.
