What Is the Story About?
Prime Video’s latest Indian original series ‘Adhura’ is set in the backdrop of a pretty and pristine all-boys boarding school in picturesque Ooty. What goes on in the school is far from pristine, however. From extreme bullying and homophobia, to mysterious suicides and missing students is par for the course. Things reach a horrifying crescendo when the 2007 batch of students return to the school for their 15-year reunion.
Adhura is written and directed by Ananya Banerjee and Gauravv K Chawla, and produced by Emmay Entertainment.
Performances?
Ishwak Singh is superb as Adhiraj, an old student of the school, who suffers from anxiety attacks. Rahul Dev, as Special Officer Bedi, is a scene-stealer, and keeps our eyes glued to him whenever he’s in the frame. Rasika Dugal delivers yet another efficient performance as school counselor Supriya. Shrenik Arora is terrific as the tormented young kid, Vedant.
Rijul Ray impresses with his entitled brat act. Zoa Morani puts in a restrained performance as Malvika Jamwal. The younger actors in the series are good too, especially Poojan Chhabra as Ninad.
Analysis
Prime Video’s ‘Adhura‘ is that rare horror show that doesn’t resort to cheap gimmicks or tropey jump-scares to terrify its viewers, nor does it have grotesque ghosts or screaming spirits to set them on edge. Instead, it chooses the languid, slow-burn style to send a chill down the spine. Things take their own sweet time to happen; but when they do, they leave you unsettled and unnerved. This, despite the predictable nature of the plot.
Yes, the story is as predictable as they come. You can guess what it’s about, right from the first few minutes of the first episode itself. Yet, the creepy elements and haunting atmospherics make even the predictable story a fairly engaging one to watch. The series touches upon pertinent issues in its seven episodes, issues that make you ponder as well as make you restless. The rampant bullying in boarding schools, the blatant homophobia prevalent even among the elite in our country, post-partum depression, childhood trauma, parental neglect and mental health, all find their way into the story.
What works in favour of the series is the seamless way that the story toggles between the past – that is 2007 – and the present. The switches are never sloppy or confusing. Instead they lend nuance to the story, making us feel for both the protagonist and the supernatural antagonist, if one may call the character that.
The performances of the actors lend credence to the implausible storyline. Young Shrenik Arora, especially, brings believability to his role of a bullied child, who finds an unlikely ally in his fightback against his tormentors. Ishwak Singh also brings an endearing poignancy to his character, as does Poojan Chhabra.
The horror in the series is not in your face, but palpable in every frame of the runtime. Certain sequences are quite silly and unnecessary – like the false starts that lead to nowhere – Devi Prasad getting buried, Malvika’s strangling, Rajat getting strangled by his own hand, and more. The prolonged sequences underlining Rasika Dugal’s past are quite tiresome too.
Some of it should have been chopped off on the editing table, and the series would have been the better for it. The long-drawn sequences are quite draggy and unnecessarily bog down an otherwise taut thriller.
To sum it up, Adhura is an entertaining and engaging watch, which keeps us invested in the proceedings. It’s not your Midnight Club or Haunting Of Hill House by any standards, but it’s watchable. A crisper screenplay and ruthless editing would have elevated it to must-watch status.
Music and Other Departments?
John Stewart Eduri’s background score is superb – spooky and haunting enough to raise the hair on your neck. Srijan Chaurasia’s camerawork is terrific too. The lush beauty of the hill town is captured superbly, as are the spooky hallways of the boarding school. Maahir Zaveri’s editing is good.
Highlights?
Performances of the primary cast
The atmospheric horror
Drawbacks?
Too long-drawn
Several unnecessary and silly sequences
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, kind of
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, for those who enjoy watching light horror rather than hard-core horror
Adhura Series Review by Binged Bureau