Cast: J D Chakravarthy, Eesha Rebba, Ramya Nambessan
Direction: Pavan Sadineni
The Telugu web series Dayaa on Disney+ Hotstar is an adaptation of the Bengali series Taqdeer. Although some may argue that remaking a series is an easier option compared to creating an original story, the multi-layered plot of Dayaa proves that it can be skillfully adapted to suit a new region. Directed by Pavan Sadineni, known for his previous work on the film Senapathi, Dayaa is headlined by J D Chakravarthy.
Interestingly, Dayaa is released at a time when Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya, which also starred JD in the lead role, celebrates its 25th anniversary. In one of the later episodes, Pavan Sadineni pays homage to Satya and its iconic character through a memorable moment.
The first episode of Dayaa, beautifully captured by Vivek Kalepu’s camera, showcases a market in a port town from a bird’s eye view. The market is filled with numerous vendors selling their catch, leaving no space unoccupied. Dayaa, who drives a freezer van, carries out his mundane job with a matter-of-fact attitude. However, there is a sense of underlying sadness in his eyes, and the narrative subtly hints that there may be more to Dayaa than meets the eye. While those familiar with mainstream narratives may anticipate a twist, the series surprises viewers by pulling the rug from under their feet in later episodes. Even the name Dayaa, meaning mercy, holds deeper meaning and significance beyond its surface interpretation.
Pavan, in collaboration with Rakendu Mouli, crafts Dayaa’s story as an underdog tale. The protagonist, a freezer van driver, has been working non-stop for two days without food or sleep, while his pregnant wife, Alivelu (Eesha Rebba), anxiously awaits his return. The narrative subtly hints that Alivelu is not a typical damsel in distress. The plot takes a sudden twist when Dayaa stumbles upon something in his van that entangles him in a web of crime and politics. Flashes of Dayaa’s past, including a poignant moment from his youth, are revealed, but the narrative carefully withholds many details, not only about Dayaa but also other characters.
The ensemble cast includes Kavitha (Ramya Nambessan), an unwavering television reporter; Kaushik (Kamal Kamaraju), her writer husband; their daughter; and others involved in office politics. There are also stereotypical villains, such as a local politician (Babloo Prithveeraj) and a sinister, silent character.
Various subplots delve into a range of issues, such as the media’s exposure of a sexual assault victim’s identity and unethical pharmaceutical trials, shedding light on the flaws within the media, political, and police systems.
The director skillfully weaves these elements together with the help of editor Viplav Nyshadam, gradually unveiling segments of backstories to heighten the intrigue. The drama is further enhanced by Shravan Bharadwaj’s subtle background score and Vivek Kalepu’s cinematography, both of which contribute to the story without drawing undue attention to themselves.
While “Dayaa” has its merits, it’s not without flaws. We haven’t seen the Bangladeshi original, so we can’t comment on whether the story and characters have been replicated verbatim, but certain elements could have been improved. For example, it’s implausible that a top investigative journalist in the country would prematurely reveal her findings to a powerful suspect or carelessly display a pen drive when facing an imminent threat.
Despite these shortcomings, “Dayaa” remains an engaging series. Season one seems to be a prelude to a larger drama, with characters like Alivelu hinting at greater developments to come.
The strength of “Dayaa” lies in its performances. J D Chakravarthy excels as the subdued and contemplative Dayaa, transitioning from a helpless victim to a decisive figure. Ramya Nambessan fits her role as a resolute yet vulnerable crime journalist, while Vishnupriya portrays the enthusiasm and innocence required for her character, Shabana. Eesha Rebba, though not seen enough, is effortlessly convincing as Alivelu, and there are hopes for her character to offer more in the next season. Other notable performances include Kamal Kamaraju, Ravi Josh, and Prithveeraj.
With a dependable ensemble cast and a multi-layered, captivating narrative, “Dayaa” is an absorbing series that shows promise for an even more intelligent follow-up.
