What Is the Story About?
After Pandit passes away, clashes erupt within the family over the legacy of the Rathod gharana. Upon Arghya’s insistence, Radhe bags a spot in the band Rage and Raga. Meanwhile, Tamanna learns to be a student again at a music school in Himachal Pradesh. Over time, Radhe and Tamanna are pitted against one another when they decide to compete in a famous reality show – IBC.
Performances?
Ritwik Bhowmik is in top form as a youngster caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, trying to find his way in music and relationships. There’s a solid old-school drama that brings the best out of him as a performer. Unlike her uni-dimensional characterisation in the first season, Shreya Chaudhary benefits from a nuanced part this time and does full justice in exploring it in all its depth.
Playing the characters who complete Radhe’s world – experienced actors like Sheeba Chaddha, Rajesh Tailang and Saurabh Nayyar (who replaced Amit Mistry) deliver the goods, tapping into the sensitivities of their roles with great flair. Atul Kulkarni, playing a musician who has built walls around himself owing to his past, is brilliant in a layered character that gets a proper closure this time.
Kunaal Roy Kapoor, as the happy-go-lucky do-gooder, sleepwalks through his role. Divya Dutta lends a casual, likeable charm to her portrayal of a principled music teacher, while also mirroring her vulnerabilities. Rohan Gurbaxani, in the shoes of the good guy who always gets left out, does well. Yashaswini Dayama and Aaliya Qureshi bag decent opportunities to prove their worth. Arjun Rampal‘s cameo adds value to the show too.
Analysis
Bandish Bandits, upon its release in 2020, was a breath of fresh air in an OTT space that was increasingly trying to ape its Western counterparts, offering viewers a taste of something that’s quintessentially Indian – in its understanding of music and drama. While the show wasn’t without its rough edges, the joy of watching a heartfelt ode to the country’s musical roots was unmatched.
The first instalment intentionally ended with a lot of questions – about the future of Radhe and Tamanna’s relationship, Radhe’s inner battle between tradition and modernity, and the growing rift in the family over the successor of Pandit ji’s gharana. Director Anand Tiwari provides a satisfactory resolution to most conflicts in season two and leaves you with a sweet aftertaste of a well-cooked meal.
As the new season takes off, it’s evident that Radhe and Tamanna have taken a break from one another to focus on their music careers. After being entrusted with the responsibility of taking the Rathod gharana forward, Radhe fears the irrelevance of their tradition in the music scene. He takes necessary steps to lend it a modern-day spin, only to face opposition from family.
Stepping away from her concert zone, Tamanna struggles to find her feet as a student initially but finds a terrific mentor in Nandini, who eventually ropes her into a band at college. Post an ugly spat with a popular band, Radhe decides to go mainstream with his gharana, a quest that binds the family together. Both Tamanna and Radhe engage in a battle of identity at a reality show soon.
The season primarily works because it manages to be a wholesome thali – offering something for all audiences while retaining its focus on music. The sincerity in the storytelling is unmatched, without compromising on the detailing of its musical backdrop. Tiwari makes a genuine effort to depict the inner trauma of all his pivotal characters and how music is a true extension of their personalities.
Though the ultimate musical patriarch, around whom the first season revolved, is no longer alive, there’s an enriching backstory surrounding a guru-sishya tradition that dictated the course of his life and forced him to make many complicated decisions. It gives you all the answers behind the rift within the family, stressing the larger purpose of music, livelihood and the trap of not moving on with times.
The structure of the series is intentionally straightforward – mostly centred on a reality show, where the leading bands in the country fight it out for the big prize. The competition gives Radhe and Tamanna an opportunity to relook at their relationship. Radhe finds a new companion in Ananya, whereas Tamanna is confused about her equation with a music school senior Ayaan.
Several challenges within the competition help Tamanna rediscover herself as a musician and Radhe comes of age as a performer and an individual, rising above his insecurities and healing the wounds among his family members. The grand finale in the climax too strikes a perfect balance between literal and moral victory, offering closure to all loose ends and subplots.
Ayaan, Ananya, Nandini and Imroz are among the newer additions to the story and all of them have well fleshed-out arcs, even if the spotlight remains on Radhe and Tamanna’s musical/personal journeys. Digvijay’s character and his tiff with Pandit get its deserved prominence. The drama, unlike the first season, is more complex and everyone gets to voice out their side of the story.
Musically, there’s a rich soundscape, populated with influences from Hindustani, Rajasthani folk music to rock traditions. Bandish Bandits Season 2 is holistic and inclusive in every way possible. It showcases Anand Tiwari’s evolution as a filmmaker in exploiting the complete potential of his backdrop, making space for familiar tropes and also offering something new to a new-age viewer.
Bandish Bandits Season 2 is a satiating musical thali you can’t afford to miss.
Music and Other Departments?
Taking over the mantle from giants like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is no mean task, but Ana Rehman, OAFF and Savera respond to the challenge exceedingly well, encapsulating the myriad musical influences in the story through their foot-tapping songs. The captivating score by Souumil Shringarpure is the icing on the cake. Manini Mishra’s production design and Tanupriya Sharma’s seamless edits contribute immensely to the appeal of the series, brought alive masterfully under the expertise of the lensman Anubhav Bansal.
Highlights?
Excellent exploration of the musical backdrop
Terrific performances
Good blend of music, drama and romance
Drawbacks?
Slightly convenient resolution of conflicts
Too many subplots create mild confusion
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Sure, a must-watch for a music enthusiast
Bandish Bandits Season 2 Series Review by Binged Bureau