What Is the Story About?
Raghu, a Surat boy, flees home to join a Mumbai esports team for the Tournament of Champions, where they’ll challenge the elite Wolf Clan. The team faces internal struggles, including Joanna’s mounting debt and the shocking revelation of Raghu’s minor status, which leads to her arrest. Despite multiple setbacks, Gamerlog overcomes adversity, ultimately reaching the finals to face their formidable rivals.
Performances?
Darsheel Safary makes a convincing return to the screen as an adult, playing a confused yet passionate kid, eager to prove himself, yet unsure of how to connect with his gaming peers. But the real standout is Anjali Sivaraman as Joanna. She’s the emotional core of the show, essaying a layered character whose inner conflicts never overshadow her fierce loyalty to her team.
Chetan Carpenter Dhawan, Chinmay Chandraunshuh, Shubroy Chowdhury, and Akash Menon deliver impressive turns, making the most of their quirky roles and good screen presence. The supporting cast, Umesh Jagtap, Krunal Pandit, Sagar Talashikar, Gaurri Sukhtankar, Aman Malhotra, and others, serve their parts ably.
Analysis
Quite often, we hear viewers complain that cinema, while dealing in broad strokes, fails to capture the nuance and complexity of everyday life—the ebbs and flows, the little joys in between. Though OTT initially emerged as the ideal space to tell grounded stories without resorting to commercial gimmicks, the Indian digital scene has struggled to keep that promise alive.
Directed by Arya Deo (nephew of director Abhinay Deo), Gamerlog, Amazon MX Player’s new show, caters to that niche. It’s the kind of small, relatable story that needed to be told, set against a canvas that feels accessible. The series is a lightweight ode to the gaming fraternity, highlighting their rebellion and determination to pursue their passion despite clashes with parents, social stigma, and financial constraints.
The story unfolds from Raghu’s perspective, a boy from Gujarat who struggles academically and has conservative parents who don’t understand his obsession with gaming. He eventually flees home to join an esports team founded by an acquaintance, Joanna, who has just broken up with Ishaan and walked out of his elite team, Wolf Clan.
The series centres on Raghu and Gamerlog’s journey, depicting their collective struggle to make it in esports. The team includes the quirky Lalit, his longtime buddy Jaggi, the brooding Mahesh, and the dependable Saurabh. They’re supported by an elderly man, Major, who manages household chores. How do these misfits come together and carve out space for themselves in the gaming world?
Each of them is fighting personal battles that gaming helps them momentarily escape. Raghu wants to stand up for himself; Lalit tries to convince his parents that gaming can be a viable career. Jaggi is trying to accept a new woman in his father’s life, while Mahesh conceals a secret that fuels his anger. Joanna, meanwhile, simply couldn’t stay with a toxic partner, regardless of the perks.
In rebelling against societal norms, it’s friendship that becomes their anchor. Everyone has their grey zones, their internal battles, but the recurring conflict is money. Debt collectors chase Joanna, luck falters, team members leave, betrayals unfold, yet they find hope in unexpected places and keep going.
The Wolf Clan, the rival team, serves as the antagonist. Ishaan, their egotistical leader, shows little regard for his teammates. It’s a classic David-versus-Goliath showdown, with Gamerlog taking on the might of Wolf Clan. The added tension of an exes’ rivalry heightens the drama and gives the final battle more bite.
To enrich the narrative, several subplots are woven in: a cop’s relentless search for Raghu, Mahesh’s simmering feud with a former college mate turned CEO, an innovative idea involving a hologram concert of a late singer, and the entry of a 12-year-old tech prodigy into Gamerlog, whose surprisingly supportive yet demanding parents add an interesting layer to his story.
While delving into game-specific details, the show avoids bombarding viewers with jargon. It focuses on the essentials to maintain authenticity while staying accessible, even in its slightly futuristic setting. Unlike films that caricature gamers or techies, Gamerlog depicts their world with honesty, never parodying them. The tone remains fun and inviting throughout.
Gamerlog offers a fresh, engaging look at the lives of gaming enthusiasts, balancing humour, drama, and suspense. Yes, some conflicts are resolved a bit conveniently, and the writing occasionally takes the easier route, but it doesn’t take away from the show’s overall appeal. If anything, it’s a promising start for more layered storytelling centred on gamers.
Music and Other Departments?
Gaurav Chatterji’s music is spirited and lively, matching the energy one would expect from a story rooted in gaming culture. Anirban Chatterjee’s cinematography effectively captures the show’s backdrop, blending real-world visuals with game screens and virtual action that elevate the experience. Karmanya Ahuja’s story strikes a chord, with the screenplay supported by well-written subplots that flesh out the main narrative.
Highlights?
Unique premise
Relatable storytelling
Fun characters, engaging subplots
Drawbacks?
Nuances get diluted due to simplistic writing
The Wolf Clan is portrayed a bit too one-dimensionally
Some character conflicts lack depth
Did I Enjoy It?
Mostly, yes.
Will You Recommend It?
If you’re up for a light-hearted, fun tale set in the world of gamers.
Gamerlog Web Series Review by Binged Bureau
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