Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh in 'Paatal Lok'.
Have you ever come across a main character that truly deserves the tag of ‘main character’? That’s Hathiram Chaudhary (Jaideep Ahlawat) in the second season of Paatal Lok. It’s his world and the show makes sure we’re aware of it.
The second season of the web series is jam-packed with action, suspense and drama. Oh, and also some incest. Just a disclaimer. This season starts with the gruesome murder of an influential political leader from Nagaland. The murder takes place in the middle of the much anticipated Naga Business Summit in Delhi. From here starts the story of Hathi Ram Chaudhary and Imran Ansari (a much-loved character from the first season played by Ishwak Singh), as they investigate different cases all revolving around the high-profile murder. The relationship portrayed between the two is beautiful, and truly worth a mention.
The series blends the intense socio-political environment of Nagaland with local politics in Delhi. This is a brave leap from the murky set up of the first season, making for an exciting plot. Are there some plot holes and clichés? Yes. But, irrespective of some inconsistencies, the series has managed to live up to the hype. The writers have managed to keep the suspense intact until the very end, with plenty of surprises along the way. An unconventional heart to heart between the two, in a car, stands out in particular.
As expected, Jaideep has delivered a stellar performance. You connect with the tough and cynical Haryanvi cop, despite all his shortcomings. The supporting cast too help carry the story, including Tillotama Shome who plays Meghna Barua, a police official in Nagaland, free of the usual stereotypes. The supporting cast also features some noteworthy performers from the north east — Prashanth Tamang and Jahnu Barua.
My only gripe being the slightest hint of propaganda lurking in the background. A veteran Naga leader saying, “Revolution achieves nothing, except losing the lives of thousands…”, is a bit too on the nose. Some of the lip service could have been avoided.