287. Web-series Reviews – 120

More web-series reviews…

Dancing on the Grave – Came out in 2023.  Deep dive into the spine-chilling murder of Shakereh Khaleeli, which took place in the early 90s in Bangalore. A 4-part documentary.

Trivia

On the 26th April 2023, five days after the release of the show, Murli Manohar Mishra, AKA Swami Shraddhananda, had his petition for early release rejected at the Supreme Court. Sanjay Hegde, a senior prosecutor featured in the documentary, was arguing on behalf of the Khaleeli family.

One of the reviews from IMDB...

A startling & disturbing true story of shakereh khaleeli which shook the nation

Dancing on the grave is a shocking tale that explores the life of Shakereh Khaleeli, the grand daughter of then Diwan of Mysore, Sir Mirza Muhammad Ismail. A hard-hitting crime docuseries spanning close to 2 hours split between 4 episodes talks about her early life uptil her death. A royal life murdered in cold blood and the consequences faced by the accused is primary highlight if the show. The facts are presented with great care and sensibility , putting forth both sides of the story which is commendable. The old statements, the interviews of the folks involved, the footages of the past all make us feel for Shakereh Khaleeli undeserving death which became a sensation during the early 90s. At times the interviews felt repeatative and dragging, this is coming from someone who watches a lot of crime documentaries. Overall, if you are a true crime documentary fanatic, you will definitely like it. If you haven't watched one yet, then this is one to start with.

Goods?

The storytelling of crime documentaries has a own charm of its own The found footage, the use of imagery from the past all elevate the experience and depth of storytelling.

The dramatization is adequate and gets you invested asap.

Bads?

It should have been a tight 3 episode series and certainly felt dragged The interviews felt a little repeatative and the case seemed very obvious

Watch it?

Definitely Yes, this one deserves a watch considering its something which shouldn't have happen. It also teaches us a few lessons which helps us decide whom we should care for and why families are important.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

Citadel – Came out in 2023.  Eight years ago, Citadel fell. The independent global spy agency - tasked to uphold the safety and security of all people - was destroyed by operatives of Manticore, a powerful syndicate manipulating the world from the shadows. With Citadel's fall, elite agents Mason Kane and Nadia Sinh had their memories wiped as they narrowly escaped with their lives. They've remained hidden ever since, building new lives under new identities, unaware of their pasts. Until one night, when Mason is tracked down by his former Citadel colleague, Bernard Orlick, who desperately needs his help to prevent Manticore from establishing a new world order. Mason seeks out his former partner, Nadia, and the two spies embark on a mission that takes them around the world in an effort to stop Manticore, all while contending with a relationship built on secrets, lies, and a dangerous-yet-undying love.

One of the reviews from IMDB...

Broke my expectations into fragments

I had high hopes from Citadel US as it was being mounted on a high budget and the trailer promised some terrific action sequences. Finally after 6 episodes what I got was nothing except disappointment. I can call it a grand scale disappointment. They spent so much in set pieces but forgot to hire a good script writer and director.

1. Episodes move at super fast speed never really allowing viewers to even feel the essence of any scene . It almost felt like a slightly long movie. Some action sequences just cut off abruptly while a mission to steal the codes from an office building is executed so easily like literally mason kane walks into a park and steals and leaves .

2. Characters have hardly any depth nor proper bonding . They did try to add some at the end but by that time it was too late and not enough to salvage .

3. The screenplay is all over the place , sometimes going to one timeline , sometimes going to another just randomly and with the pace of the series it's hard to keep up. Things never seem to move in a proper order .

4. Twists are just forced . Even the Mason kane and his mother twist felt forced and something like a fast and furious stuff just random people becoming family members.

5. Such a short series and it wastes a lot of time in past events that you feel that the main mission in the present was just 10% of the entire series. The stakes never get high and you never feel any tension or excitement even once. Such is the poor direction and execution of this series.

6. Acting wise only Priyanka is good that's why I gave 2 stars . Madden felt like a total misfit and least interested in the series with his one expression throughout the film. Other characters including villains are just pieces taken from typical commercial Hollywood films. There's nothing unique in anyone's performance.

Overall , citadel is that restaurant that has wonderful looks and ambience but terrible overpriced food to offer. Being from India, I am only praying Raj and DK can make a better series for citadel India than the US version. At the moment, it's just plain ordinary and below average and it doesn't even motivate you to watch Citadel: Diana.

My Take – Not worth seeing😊

 

Inspector Avinash –  Came out in 2023. The story revolves around the super cop Avinash Mishra of Uttar Pradesh, India. Based on year 1997, the narrative takes us through his struggle of overcoming each hurdle in reaching to the head of the weapon cartrel. Revolving around the crimes of UP, this show compares the state of Uttar Pradesh to Mexico.

One of the reviews from tfipost.com...

In the vast landscape of Indian web series, some hidden gems often go unnoticed by the majority of viewers. One such series is “Inspector Avinash,” currently streaming on JioCinema, which deserves more attention than it has received. Starring the talented Randeep Hooda in the titular role, this web series brings forth a captivating narrative set against the backdrop of the criminal-political nexus in Uttar Pradesh during the early 90s. Let’s dive deeper into why “Inspector Avinash” deserves recognition.

A flawed protagonist with an impact

Randeep Hooda’s acting prowess is no secret, and in “Inspector Avinash,” he once again proves his mettle as one of the smartest actors in the Indian film industry. His portrayal of the imperfect yet impactful Avinash Mishra is a breath of fresh air amidst the sea of cookie-cutter characters we often see on OTT platforms.

Unlike the usual depiction of flawless heroes, Avinash Mishra is presented as a character with vulnerabilities and imperfections. This approach adds layers to his personality and makes him relatable to the audience. It’s a refreshing departure from the clichéd representation we often encounter in contemporary OTT projects.

Exploring the Criminal-Political Nexus: “Inspector Avinash” delves into the dark underbelly of the criminal-political nexus that plagued Uttar Pradesh during the early 90s. None should be surprised as to what UP was, when crime and politics went hand in hand, just like the neighbouring state of Bihar. The series weaves a compelling narrative around the exploits of Avinash Mishra, an ex STF officer, who navigates this treacherous landscape. It sheds light on the corruption, power dynamics, and challenges faced by law enforcement officers during that era.

Real-Life Incidents Handled with Grace

The series fearlessly covers crucial incidents from the past, including the potential terror attack in Ayodhya, which was thwarted by what some might call a “divine intervention.” The storytelling here is unbiased, presenting events without any malice or nefarious agenda. It offers an insightful glimpse into historical events while maintaining the integrity of the narrative.

Randeep Hooda’s impressive performance is complemented by a talented supporting cast that includes Amit Sial, Abhimanyu Singh, and Rajneesh Duggal, among others. Their performances add depth and authenticity to the series, further enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The only gripe

One aspect that slightly detracts from the series is the limited but noticeable screen presence of Urvashi Rautela. Fortunately, her role is confined to just a few minutes in each episode, ensuring that it does not significantly impact the overall quality of “Inspector Avinash.”

“Inspector Avinash” is a hidden gem among web series, deserving of more recognition. With Randeep Hooda’s compelling performance, an engaging narrative, and its exploration of the criminal-political nexus in Uttar Pradesh, this series offers a unique viewing experience. While a minor flaw exists with a particular cast member, it does not overshadow the overall brilliance of the show. For those seeking a refreshing take on crime dramas with a flawed yet impactful protagonist, “Inspector Avinash” is a series that should not be missed.

My Take – Worth a watch! 

Cheers till next time😊!!