CAST: Vivek Gomber, Rajat Kapoor, Martial Batchamen, Chirag Vohra, Amrita Khanvilkar, and Chandan Roy Sanyal

DIRECTOR: Jai Mehta

SHOWRUNNER: Hansal Mehta

Streams on Hotstar on Hulu

After taking over his father-in-law’s successful business, Vikrant Gandhi (played by Vivek Gomber) rises to power as the uncontested leader in Somalia. Yet, undercurrents of unrest threaten to irrevocably alter his destiny. Central to the unfolding drama is the forthcoming elections for the Somalian port and a valuable shipment aboard a hijacked Ukrainian ship carrying an Indian crew. These individuals become pawns in Vikrant’s desperate bid to recover his consignment, valued at five million dollars, amidst escalating tensions.

Hansal Mehta, celebrated for his captivating narratives in series like ‘Scam 1992’ and ‘Scam 2003—The Telgi Story,’ is the guiding force behind this venture, with his son Jai steering the project. Mirroring the complex protagonists of the Scam series, Vikrant emerges as an unlikely figurehead driven by excessive ambition and recklessness. His insatiable lust for wealth and dominance propels the story forward, although his morally questionable decisions make it challenging to sympathize with him, given the widespread violence they incite.

From its inception, ‘Lootere’ distinguishes itself with its unique settings: the contrasting landscapes of Somalia and the vast expanse of the ocean aboard a cargo ship. The series starts with a thrilling, unpredictable, instantly engaging narrative. The first two episodes rapidly unfold, laying the groundwork for an intense hijacking saga. Specific sequences aboard the ship may remind viewers of Tom Hanks’ acclaimed 2013 film ‘Captain Phillips,’ echoing its high-stakes drama.

In contrast to ‘Captain Phillips’, this series sometimes becomes slow and repetitive, delving into the ongoing internal strife among Somali pirates, Vikrant’s complicated interactions with his dangerous so-called friends, and the relentless suffering of the crew across the episodes. Despite this, the series is punctuated with numerous moments of intense action, both at sea and on land, crafting a narrative steeped in violence and brutality that is not meant for the sensitive viewer. Despite having multiple opportunities, the writers only lightly touch upon the underlying causes of Somalia’s volatile socio-economic conditions, focusing instead on creating drama and violent conflict.

Vivek Gomber delivers a standout performance as Vikrant Gandhi, crafting a character of reckless confidence with a mix of finesse and indulgence. Gomber’s portrayal demands attention, making Vikrant a character you cannot easily dismiss, regardless of your feelings towards him. However, Vikrant’s character complexity, including his relationships with his wife Avi (played by Amruta Khanvilkar) and his son, tends to add unnecessary length and confusion to an already crowded screenplay filled with numerous characters.

Their relationships and motivations remain unclear in the first two episodes. High-stakes action scenes on the ship significantly drive the show’s momentum and in Somalia’s gritty streets, brilliantly captured by Jall Cowasji. Rajat Kapoor delivers a restrained and nuanced performance as the ship’s captain. At the same time, Aamir Ali, in a brief but impactful role, and Chandan Roy Sanyal, a capricious rich womanizer whose power status changes swiftly, add depth to the narrative. The African actors perform efficiently and consistently, with Martial Batchamen Tchana performing remarkably as the pirate leader Barkhad.

With only two episodes released on Hulu, “Lootere” stays afloat with its exhilarating story and captivating performances, navigating through stormy seas to bring a wealth of entertainment and fascination to its viewers.