Sunday, February 2, 2025

Pataal Lok- A Review

PAATAL LOK-A Review

 

      • Written by  Sudip Sharma; Sagar Haveli; Hardik Mehta; Gunjit Chopra
      • Directed by Avinash Arun; Prosit Roy (season one);
      • Starring: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Gul Panag
      • Genre:Neo-noir; Crime thriller; Social Drama
      • Rating : **** /5

(The aim and intention of my reviews is to critique and recommend while not revealing the whole story to enjoy the movie or show when seen. But minor details may have been divulged for a proper review!)

Paatal Lok, an Indian crime thriller and social drama well known for its realistic storytelling, direction, and extraordinary acting, recently released its second season on Amazon Prime.

The first season, which debuted in 2020, gained acclaim for its impactful dialogues: "The world is divided into three parts—Swarg (Heaven), where the gods and the wealthy live and can get away with anything; Dharti (Earth), where ordinary humans reside; and Paatal Lok (the underworld), inhabited by criminals and insects."  It explored themes such as murder, corruption, dirty politics, media manipulation, oppression, Islamophobia, and caste discrimination.

 


While the first season was set in Delhi and its surrounding areas, the second season shifts the setting to the eastern Indian state of Nagaland. This season is equally bingeworthy, weaving a murder mystery through the complexities of politics, rebel insurgencies, drugs and narcotics, and family drama.

 Jaideep Ahlawat shines as Inspector Haati Raam Chaudhary, delivering another outstanding performance. The Haryanvi cop, characterized by a thick mouche, a small paunch, and an untucked shirt, may not be a typical action hero, but surprisingly impressed with his numerous combat scenes, fist fights, chases, and sliding down roofs.

 The partnership between Jaideep Ahlawat and Ishwak Singh as Imran Ansari, —Sub Inspector from the first season turned to IPS officer, is beautifully captured. Their respectful and friendly chemistry, which sometimes is awkward due to changed power dynamics, adds depth to the narrative.

 An excellent binge-worthy show to watch. Highly recommend.



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