Kaala Review: Avinash Tiwary and Bejoy Nambiar's Disney+ Hotstar Series is a Stylish Thriller That's Replete With Missed Opportunities (LatestLY Exclusive)

Kaala Review: Bejoy Nambiar's latest offering on Disney+ Hotstar, Kaala, is precisely what you would expect from a Bejoy Nambiar project post Shaitan (a film I often mistake for being directed by Anurag Kashyap). The series exudes style, boasts standout moments, delivers strong performances, and maintains the illusion that you are witnessing the creation of a classic. Yet, by the end of it all, the overall experience leaves you feeling hollow. Kaala feels like a significant missed opportunity to offer Hotstar's response to Netflix's Sacred Games. Kaala: Taher Shabbir Joins Shakti Kapoor in Unveiling Villainous Streak in the Series.

Kaala revolves around a team of IB officers (along with one CBI officer) pursuing a hawala racket worth hundreds of crores. The team is led by Ritwik (played by Avinash Tiwary), an honest and dedicated officer burdened by his father's tainted legacy. Ritwik is determined to uncover the black money laundering operation orchestrated by Naman Arya (portrayed by Taher Shabbir), a haughty businessman who himself takes orders from a mysterious boss in the United States.

Another storyline goes back in the '90s and follows Subhendu (played by Rohan Vinod Mehra), a former Indian army officer wrongfully labeled a traitor after an attack on his convoy. Seeking revenge against the three officers responsible for his ordeal, Subhendu's journey intertwines with Ritwik's. This also leads to a separate subplot involving Balwant (played by Jitin Gulati) and a tragic love story that profoundly changes him.

Watch the Trailer of Kaala:

Kaala starts off strongly in the initial episodes, establishing the hawala racket and the inner workings of the intelligence department while confronting corrupt ministers and bureaucratic red tape. The narrative seamlessly transitions to depict Subhendu's struggles, transforming into a revenge saga that explores the connection between him and Ritwik. When the focus shifts to Balwant in the fifth episode, unveiling an unexpected love story, it adds depth to the antagonist character. However, my expectations were ultimately misplaced.

What was meant to be a complex and nuanced origin story for the villain turned into a perplexing exploration of LGBTQ+ representation. A gay character is abruptly transformed into a transgender person for shock value. This portrayal not only perpetuates harmful stereotypes but also lacks any prior indication that the character wished to embrace their feminine side. The transformation felt out of place on screen, though credit goes to the actor for their dedication to the role.

Even the primary plotline veers into a less-interesting pop-thriller territory reminiscent of Jason Bourne when Ritwik is predictably framed in a false case and goes on the run. While there are some expected twists and turns, the revelation of a hidden mole briefly provides shock value but lacks substantial follow-up. There is also Shakti Kapoor's character who inexplicably insists on whispering to his aides rather than engaging in normal conversation. Not to forget, Mita Vasisht's over-the-top portrayal of a corrupt CM, which may or may not be a satirical nod to a certain real-life Chief Minister. The finale disappointingly takes a predictable turn and mishandles intriguing characters, including the antagonist.

Kaala remains a well-crafted show, with Bejoy Nambiar's signature style often compensating for the writing's shortcomings. The series truly shines when it keeps its focus on IB's investigation into Naman's illicit activities. Even the subplot involving a group of bankers holed up in a guest house manages to be engaging, with Vinil Mathew, the director of Hasee Toh Phasee, making an appearance. Another notable director, Kaushik Mukerjee, steps in front of the camera as an assassin who enjoys taking selfies with his victims, although this adds little to the plot. Bambai Meri Jaan Review: Kay Kay Menon's Poignant Silences and Avinash Tiwary's Nuanced Mannerisms Elevate This Regular Gangster Series.

The main issue here is that Kaala promises so much with its plot and characters, yet the results feel half-baked. Despite Avinash Tiwary's dedicated performance, Ritwik comes across as one-dimensional and, frankly, dull. When a character labels him as grumpy, I couldn't help but agree 'cos that's the only note seems to be given to him. Nivetha Pethuraj, who portrays Sithara, Ritwik's fellow IB officer and love interest, only finds compelling material in the last couple of episodes.

Jitin Gulati's performance is outstanding, making him the standout of the show, but the problematic writing around his character diminishes his impact. Rohan Vinod Mehra is impressive in his role. Elisha Mayor, whom I recall seeing in CAT, delivers a confident performance as Subhendu's daughter. Still, her lesbian love subplot adds little to her character development. The supporting cast boasts some talented actors, with Danish Aslam, Hiten Tejwani, Siva Ananth, and Taher Shabbir delivering noteworthy performances.

Final Thoughts

Kaala tantalises with its stylish presentation, promising plotlines, and commendable performances, yet ultimately falls short of realising its full potential. Bejoy Nambiar's signature flair elevates the viewing experience, but the writing's inconsistencies and confounding character arcs hinder the show from achieving greatness. Kaala is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 15, 2023 06:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).