What Is the Story About?
In a small, sleepy town Raniganj, Bhagyesh, nicknamed Panauti, is constantly blamed for inviting bad luck into other’s lives. He believes the reopening of Menka, the long-abandoned theatre once owned by his late father, is the only way to revive his fortunes. While trying to surprise his lady love Puppy in the theatre, he’s trapped in a crime scene and needs to prove his innocence.
Performances?
Tusshar Kapoor is well within his comfort zone in the madcap comedy, though a restrained approach to the role could’ve helped the character gain some empathy. Priyanka Chahar Choudhary, cast as Bhagyesh’s mysterious romantic interest, passes muster. However, it’s Shaan Groverr – cast as Battu, the protagonist’s cousin – who springs a surprise, making the most of a meaty role.
The other actors – be it Satyen Chaturvedi or the in-form Sumit Arora, Leena Sharma and Ekta Sharma – do justice to their well-etched roles. If a price was put on every time Mia Magar uttered naksha, someone could’ve been a millionaire. Arjun Khurana, Puja Sharma, Surbhi Talodiya and Rupa Gangooli are strictly okay.
Analysis
Dus June Kii Raat, a light-hearted murder mystery revolving around an unlucky protagonist and a cursed abandoned theatre, doesn’t take itself too seriously and that’s why the silliness remains tolerable. The narration is chaotic and highly exaggerated, but you’re drawn to the madcap world and its not-so-innocent characters once you adapt to its rhythm.
So ill-fated is Bhagyesh that he leaves an imprint in the lives of everyone he bumps into – a cop, a don and his lady love – and the only hope to set the record straight is the reopening of a theatre. His constant companion is a cousin Battu, who tries every trick in the book to bail him out of trouble. As the duo uncovers the truth behind a twin murder, their friendship is put to the test.
The show is largely a dark comedy, where the humour is born out of the various troubles that Bhagyesh a.k.a Panauti lands in. Though there’s no concrete evidence to suggest his involvement in a couple of crimes, the cop is committed to putting him behind bars to settle past scores (Bhagyesh is blamed for his wife’s fall).
The characters keep harking back to a secret around a doomed theatre, which was supposedly responsible for the death of Bhagyesh’s father. Obstacles surmount from many directions for Bhagyesh – two convicts in jail – Sathya and Chandu in addition to a Nepali duo (in quest of a map that could unlock a treasure) and a gym owner who promises to invest in Menka.
The screenplay is ideal for a farce – placing oddball characters in a series of outlandish situations and building an air of mystery around a murder within a theatre – but it needed someone to bring a method to the madness. The subplots are reasonably well-stitched though the outdated treatment of a worthy premise and the loud, screechy ambience takes a toll on your senses after a point.
The show, in its desperation for a few laughs, needlessly complicates the life of Bhagyesh and struggles to strike a balance between plot progression and humour. Like most series, the creators intentionally don’t piece the puzzle together towards the end, leaving the ground open for a new season. Dus June Kii Raat is neither funny nor unbearable, but there was room for a rescue act.
Music and Other Departments?
Sanchit Choudhary’s music is chirpy in parts but largely formulaic and makes little impact. The story, by Vibuti Narayan Upadhyay and Ranveer Pratap Singh, exudes potential, even though execution doesn’t reflect it. The dialogues deserved more flavour and vigour. Cinematographer Sachin Patekar does his best to lend a personality to the varied backdrops within his limitations. The 5-hour runtime contributes to a viewer’s fatigue.
Highlights?
Interesting premise
Decent performances
Drawbacks?
Chaotic narration
Loud, outdated treatment
The 5-hour runtime
Did I Enjoy It?
Only in parts
Will You Recommend It?
No, unless you’re bored to death
Dus June Kii Raat Series Review by Binged Bureau
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