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Vikram Bhatt stepped into the web-series space in 2015 with his online channel VB on the Web and has been creating shows on various subjects ever since. His plotlines always have a thriller/suspense angle but every web-series has a unique theme. The latest show by VB on the Web - Maaya 2, is directed by Bhatt's daughter Krishna Bhatt and was released on May 30. It has been in news for the on-screen kiss between Leena Jumani and Priyal Gor. The show though is more than just a story about a lesbian couple in love. We list down five reasons why you should not miss this attempt by Vikram Bhatt, which tells an unconventional love story through Maaya 2.
Storyline
Vikram Bhatt's first instalment of Maaya was about a BDSM couple involved in an extra-marital affair. In this second instalment of Maaya 2, Bhatt explores a lesbian love story. The show is about two drastically different women, falling in love with each other. While Ruhi (Leena Jumani) is absolutely proud and open about her sexuality, Simmi (Priyal Gor) is conservative and shy about it. She is constantly trying to hide her sexuality and in fact engaged to Puneet (Pranav Sachdev). It is interesting to watch the story unfold, and the two woman battle the society and stereotypes together, for their love.
Characters
The show has a pleasantly surprising set of characters, who have mystery and depth in them. What keeps you hooked is they are all believably written. Though every time you start predicting a certain character will react a certain way, he/she will surprise you. Each character has layers and they are very well-written.
Leena Jumani and Priyal Gor
Both Leena Jumani and Priyal Gor are popular faces on the Indian television. Their roles in Maaya involved intense scenes and they had to make out on screen more than once. Both the actors bravely opted for their respective roles, despite the existing taboos about homosexuality in our society. While a lot of mainstream actors are still reluctant to do such roles, these two girls have dared to take the challenge and pulled it off really well.
Suspense
One thing common in all the web-series from Vikram Bhatt's production is the suspense genre. Bhatt's Maaya 2 is no different. There is a cat and mouse game going on between Ruhi-Simmi and Puneet. Each episode has a new crisis situation and there's a mystery around who did what. Maaya had a murder mystery while Maaya 2's mystery is more about a power-game and leak of an MMS clip.
More Than a Lesbian Love-Story
The show is popularised for being a lesbian love-story but it is also more than that. There is an underlined commentary on our society and the existing taboos about homosexuality. Puneet is an abusive fiance, which is acceptable, though, Simmi's love for Ruhi isn't because they are a same-sex couple. Throughout the show, the girls are blackmailed and are threatened for violating Section 377. The story shows them evolve as they fight their biggest fear and get over the fear of being judged and ostracised.
The show indeed has its flaws. The dialogues are a bit awry and the storyline has some loopholes. Also, some scenes are too melodramatic and the emotions overdone. But in the larger picture, we don't have many directors and actors who bring us such subjects on screen. Maaya 2 is worth watching not for the craft but for the handling of the nuances of such a sensitive topic well.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 01, 2018 02:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
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