They say it’s the calmest people who carry the most chaotic mind. Sometimes it’s the ordinary things that cause the messiest mental chaos. Once you’re in it, it’s really hard to get out. So, imagine feeling stuck in a mental state at a time when people were not even ready to acknowledge it as a problem. Horrifyingly lonely isn’t it? Now imagine you’re always being surrounded by people but in your head, it’s just you, all alone. Just you and your thoughts. How long can you go without screaming for help and ultimately drowning from ignorance? Qala makes you question just that.

Qala: A Tale of Yearning and Envy

Written and directed by Anvita Dutt, Qala is a tale of a cuckoo bird who tries her hardest to live among us humans but fails. Qala is a tale of a mother who could never truly appreciate the bundle of talent that her daughter was, and a daughter who was ready to do everything she can to get the mother’s appreciation. 

Qala which means talent is the name of our protagonist. Throughout her entire life, she tries her hardest to woo her toughest audience who should have been her staunch supporter, her mother. It’s ironic how her name was Qala, and yet it was her Qala that people used to look down upon.

Just like a cuckoo bird who tries her hardest to make a life in the wild forest by stealing or using deceit, similarly, Qala tries her best to survive in the purposefully crafted forest-like hostile life that she and her mother share. Unable to bear the loss of losing her son at the hands of her daughter, Qala’s mother was unable to accept her daughter for who she truly was and instead started a domino effect that carried forth till the very end. 

Qala: Through a Microscope

Initially, starting with optimism, but as time passed, the optimism faded and we are left with a harsh reality to face. A reality filled with envy and yearning that takes a very dark ugly turn. A reality that makes us question ourselves as a society as to how ignorant we truly are towards issues concerning mental health. How quick we are to dismiss it as a common cold when it’s deadlier than cancer. 

Talent is something that everyone possesses. Though it may be in different fields or in similar ones, talent in something or the other is ever-present in humans. But how objective can one be while judging such talents, especially ones that are abstract in nature? The vocal battle between Jagan and Qala brings forth this point to the forefront.   

The scenic background act like a mood ring that reflects the various moods that each scene carries. From feeling distraught and unstable as highlighted by the dark and isolated childhood home of Qala located on a snowy hill of picturesque Himachal Pradesh to finding some stability yet being consumed with envy as depicted by the green-coloured wall of Qala’a new home to the presence of the gargoyles to foreshadow the ominous turn that Qala and Sumant Kumar’s meeting was about to take, the setting plays a very important role in conveying the mood of each scene.   

Afterword

With stunning camerawork that captures the innocent yearning of a mother’s love to the violent jealousy that doesn’t stop until it had burned everything to the ground to the mental turmoil that leads to the end of everything—Qala acts as a true artistic masterpiece. The character of Qala is an anti-hero, a grey character who at one moment makes your heart wrench with sorrow at her plight and in the next moment makes your mind rage at her actions. It’s a movie that evokes all emotions and made you numb at the same time.

Directed by Himank Gaur and starring Bhuvan Bam, “Taaza Khabar” has made waves since its release. Released on 6th January 2023 on Hotstar, this crime-thriller has proved Bhuvan Bam’s talent as a truly dynamic actor. This web series is not for the faint of hearts as it will keep you on the edge of your seat till the end.

What’s Taaza in “Taaza Khabar”?

Complete with a cast of renowned actors such as Shilpa Shukla, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Deven Bhojani, etc. this movie tells the age-old tale of how with great powers comes great responsibility and if not handled well will lead to total chaos. Taking into account the digital era wherein news reaches consumers faster than the speed of light, the web series uses the biggest asset of the digital age, i.e., speed to convey the moral.   

In this world where everyone is so invested in knowing about the future, “Taaza Khabar” highlights how knowing everything beforehand is detrimental to one’s growth and steals the joy of living. 

The web series circles around the message about how magic requires deception while miracle requires belief. And though one would think it will act as a cautionary tape for the characters the irony is revealed as the show progresses. 

The web series also brings to light the many derogatory societal standards that the society upholds which will make one sympathise more with the anti-hero, Bhuvan Bam. From being discriminated against for working at a public lavatory coming from a low financial background to being discriminated against for not dressing up like a rich person even though his financial background has improved tremendously. They bring to light how society’s knack for judging others for the way they are dressed still prevails.

Things That Stood Out

The character change in Bhuvan Bam’s character as the story progresses from caring and loving to being business savvy and only looking out for his interests keeps the audience guessing till the very last minute. Bam’s acting is so realistic that it makes it hard to believe that his character won’t be returning back to its caring side although his actions on screen make it very evident that he won’t. 

Given Bhuvan Bam’s background in comedy it would be a sin to assume that the web series will lack any comic relief. Fans of BB Ki Vines would be happy to note that “Taaza Khabar” has a good balance of both comedy and seriousness for the most part of the show. The dynamic between the mother-son relationship is the one to watch out for, it’s a truly heartwarming tale. 

In today’s rat race focused on earning a lot, “Taaza Khabar” highlights the ups and downs of being left behind as well as those of being first in the game. The characters’ portrayal of reality is a breath of fresh air. The web series aptly highlights real people’s reactions to stumbling upon good fortune. The dilemma that people actually face over sticking to their principle or choosing a better life cannot be better captured than by Deven Bhojani’s character.  

What’s the Verdict?

Popularly known all over the world for his hilarious content on his Youtube Channel BB Ki Vines it is a refreshing take on the usual funny role that he plays. This web series has helped in establishing himself as an actor who is ready to take on serious roles. Filled with a cast of veteran actors there was a lot of anticipation as to how Bhuvan Bam will leave his mark, will he be outshined? Or will he outshine? Turns out the latter was correct.

Releasing it on Disney+ Hotstar which is home to many other widely popular Indian shows making it a staple for Indian households the choice of the OTT platform couldn’t have been a better one.  

Superbly directed by director Himank Gaur the thought put into each scene makes you feel exactly what the characters are feeling, from disgust to concern, no stones are left unturned. This series matches the rhythm of Gen Z by focusing on the lighting fast life that they are after. It’s a must-watch for anyone who is looking for a tale that gives you a lesson while showcasing the consequence of what happens if you fail to follow it. 

In 2015, TVF’s 5 episodes web series, ‘Pitchers’ paved a new direction towards dramas based on realism and honest tussles of daily life, especially if you’re someone taking the courage to establish your own start-up. Four friends, Naveen (Naveen Kathuria), Mandal (Abhay Manjan), Yogi, (Arunabh Kumar) and Jeetu (Jeetendra Kumar) give up their 9-to-5 jobs, to fulfill their college dream of kicking-off an app based start-up. Upon it release, season one proved to hook the viewers.

The technicalities behind a start up, constant fear of failure, new dead ends, personal relationships of the four characters, and the humour filled dialogues and bickering made ‘Pitchers’ a binge worthy series. Of course, it was unlike other regular drama releases, for it stepped into a territory of a very realistic portrayal of young entrepreneurs and the daunting path they’ve to take.

The much awaited, ‘Pitchers’ season 2 was released on December, 23rd 2022. The series continued from where it left off. Did Anurabh Kumar, an entrepreneur himself, the creator and the director of the series, manage to create the same magic in the second season? Here’s what we think.

‘Pitchers’ Season 2: A Glimpse of the Anxious Road of Nascent Startups And Entrepreneurship

The second season of the web-series introduces us to Naveen’s start-up, ‘Pragati’. They’re in the midst of introducing their very anticipated next series of the product, which could only happen with a partnership with another company, KC enterprises, who’s working offline in the same sector. Not spoiling much for those who haven’t watched it yet, but the entire season, like the previous one, is presenting Naveen with dead ends after dead ends. The problem solving venture indeed continues!

What becomes interesting in this season is the grim atmosphere that it is drenched in. Building a start-up isn’t a piece of cake. ‘Pitchers’ season two brutally captures the debt trap, the vicious competitors, employee management, working conditions, team commitments, chasing VCs and making risk-worthy decisions.

The hour long episodes, unlike the previous season, become a little tedious, and the first two episodes couldn’t really deliver the urge for you to stick to the screens, which only gained momentum in the the the third episode. Season two is all about the undulated steps that one has to take for a startup to shoot across the highest stars. For all aspiring young entrepreneurs, this series can provide some significant insights.

Jeetu Was Terribly Missed! Oh, And We Loved Ridhi Dogra!

Season one heavily focused on the personal lives and interpersonal relationships of the group – Naveen, Yogi, Jeetu and Mandal. Maybe the camera’s pan into their lives provided a more realistic touch to the series. In season two, this was lacking. Anurabh Kumar’s central direction has been in and around the development of Pragati. What’s more, Jeetu had apparently left the start-up after some disagreements between the four. His character was crucial in representing the Indian household anxiousness and anti-start up attitude which prevails in many families, and discourages the young entrepreneurs to even take the first step. Jeetu’s character would have been a significant plot in season two to show the developments in his relationship with his father.

Nevertheless, Naveen’s anxiousness, uncertainty, and the stress of the employees working in a baby start-up could be felt through the screens. Maybe this tediousness wasn’t for the majority of the viewers of ‘Pitchers’ who might have returned to the show for an equal screen time for the characters’s domestic and romantic lives.

Needless to say, the star cast, Naveen Kathuria, Abhay Manjan and Anurabh Kumar himself, delivered an honest performance once again! Infact, Naveen Kathuria and Abhay Manjan outdid their characters effortlessly! Maybe one thing that ‘Pitchers’ will always maintain is it’s quality casting with outstanding execution of the scenes and talented actors. One terrific addition to the new season’s cast was Ridhi Dogra, the actress, who is soon going to be making her Bollywood debut! The beautiful Ridhi Dogra added a charismatic element to the scene with her distinct and sharp presence.

To conclude, ‘Pitchers’ season 2 fulfilled the promise of delivering an honest peek into the start-up community, the brutalities of the market world and entrepreneurship, but it couldn’t retain its binge-worthiness. It might have underestimated season one’s holistic screenwriting which allowed a balanced spoonful of personal and the market world.

Bhuvan Bam, one of India’s most famous YouTube Content Creator, actor and singer-songwriter dropped his self curated web series: Dhindora on 14th October, 2021. Bhuvan’s acting of different characters all together highlighted his fans’ favourites from the BB Ki Vines Universe in a unique background, and proved Bam’s versatile acting skills once again.

Dhindora, starring the BB Ki Vines Universe characters: Bhuvan, Bancho, Babli sir, Janki (Mummy), Bablu ji (Papa), Sameer Fuddi, Titu Mama and Papa Maakichu, all played by Bhuvan, stay true to their characters. The story follows the life of a middle class family, who come across life’s realities, unexpected scenarios and disappointments after the father wins a lottery. The series is packed with domestic eccentricity, social satire which caters both to the humour as well as make us come face to face with the daily ironies of the society. The famous Sameer and Bancho and their cuss-mouthing words cater to Bhuvan Bam’s fans and add cracking laughter in the story.

Review

The Web series follows simple storytelling techniques, making the series straightforward for the audience. Each episode, on average, is twenty minutes long. That might come as a short running time, but Bhuvan and the scriptwriters made sure that each episode had something weighty to offer. 

One of the most commendable features of the series is Bhuvan’s acting. He is playing more than one character, many of them appearing all together in one scene. However, Bhuvan’s acting is so phenomenal that the viewer becomes almost unconscious that the same man is acting behind all the characters in one frame.

Curated with social satire, Bhuvan comments on the themes of relationship, family, dreams, struggles, and the phoney ties people have made with each other. One of the most apparent critiques that Bhuvan attempted to make, which is present throughout the series, is how indifferent people have become with each other. The rush behind money and fame really blinds people into falsity and betrayals. In the current society, human’s innate nature of love and care has been blinded by other ulterior and non-important motives. 

Bhuvan also brings onboard the famous host of Crime Patrol, Anup Soni, whose hilarious spontaneous commentary adds to the humour flavours. Dhindora’s comedy is indeed a hundred percent in BB Ki Vines signature style. 

Bhuvan’s romantic interest in the series brings us the talented Gayatri Bhardwaj, playing Dr. Tara. Through their relationship, we see the explorations of friendship, dreams and promises. The character chemistry is sweet and fits well.

In short, Dhindora is a perfect watch for people who love social satire, want a light watch, with light suspense packed here and there. Oh, and the last episode of the series ends with a cliffhanger! 

TVF’s Aspirants may base itself on the trials and tribulations of UPSC aspirants and the emotional challenges that three friends have to navigate in their adult lives, however, deep down, the web-series manages to capture the uncertainty of our millennial selves. There is so much to unpack here. From the uncertainty that hangs upon relationships to strained friendships, TVF’s Aspirants may have started off as a web-series about the burdens that a UPSC aspirant has to navigate during their preparations, however, now, it has evolved into something much more.

As of this moment, TVF’s Aspirants stands as a web-series about true human lives. The creative team behind the web-series, Apoorv Singh Karki and Deepesh Sumitra Jagdish, have managed to direct and write, respectively, pristine narratives around the characters of Abhilash, Guri and SK. Naveen Kasturia, Shivankit Parihar and Abhilash Thapiliyal have truly managed to capture the essence of their characters through their portrayals. Even so, Namita Dubey and Sunny Hinduja have managed to ingratiate themselves with the audience with their outstanding performances. Of course, due credit must also be given to the creators of the web-series, Arunabh Kumar, the founder of TVF and Shreyansh Pandey.

Of course, we all saw the cast and the creative team, behind TVF’s Aspirants, drop the teaser for the season finale during the ‘Covid Relief Livestream‘, that was held in association with The Talented Indian. An immensely important initiative, the entire livestream was a reminder for the need to reach out and help as much as possible in times like these.

I know we are all excited and really want some answers from the season finale. What really happened between Guri and Abhilash all those years back? Did it have something to do with Dhairya all along? And, most importantly, did Abhilash really clear the preliminary exam at the end of episode 4? In the hopes of getting you all up to speed for the finale, let’s do a brief recap of everything that has happened so far.

Episode One introduces us to the three friends that we have come to love. Abhilash, Guri and SK are long standing friends who are all preparing for the UPSC examinations. With the exams looming ahead of them, Abhilash, on his final attempt, wants to change his optional subject. The crux of the episode takes Abhilash’s indecision on choosing an optional subject and spins a larger tale on the idea of being able to stand and make decisions on your own two feet

Episode Two has Abhilash questioning himself about the qualifications of a teacher. For him, the primary concern lies in the uncertainty of whether an individual, who, himself, hasn’t managed to clear the UPSC exam, can provide him with the right guidance. The second episode also introduces us to the character of Dhairya, the primary bone of contention and the reason behind the added strain in the friendship between Abhilash and Guri in the present day. 

Up until now, TVF’s Aspirants has been exploring the primary concerns that most UPSC aspirants face. In the third episode, the web-series delves into more cerebral themes, posing questions towards the qualities that are not only mandatory for bureaucrats to possess but also important in our daily lives. What really separates the wheat from the chaff? On a more romantic one, Abhilash and Dhairya are a thing now, with the both of them finding an understanding in each other. Episode three also has the three friends finally meeting again in the present day, with Guri bracing himself to finally tell Abhilash who he is actually getting married to.

The penultimate episode of the series focuses on everything coming to a head. In the present day, Abhilash and Guri, finally, open up about the things eating at them and confront each other, while SK reveals his frustration towards both of his friends, touching upon how they have always been caught up in their own angst and almost always avoided focusing on the larger friendship that exists between the three of them. Back in the past, we get a glimpse of Abhilash deciding to finally resign from his job, the one he had taken a sabbatical from to prepare for the UPSC exam. We also see the first cracks that begin to form between Abhilash and Dhairya. The episode ends on a real cliffhanger, with Abhilash clearing his preliminary exam being left ambiguous.

And the season finale episode TVF’s Aspirants is a real treat with a culmination of all the emotions. From the heartfelt message of Sandeep bhaiya to Abhilash’s realisation to his final monologue. Instead of describing it in words, let your visual senses give you an emotional treat. Cheers to a beautiful and inspiring finale!