What Is the Story About?
Ayush Varma is an aspirant writer who lands in Mumbai with big dreams but reality comes crashing down on him soon owing to the harsh ways of the industry. Finding a way to survive as a ghostwriter, he finds a good friend in a screenwriter Gayatri. At the cusp of realising his dream, his personal life goes haywire, while trapped in the toxic cycle of ambition and fame that he’d once condemned.
Performances?
After his consistent performances in the digital space (in shows like College Romance, SK Sir Ki Class, Tabbar and The Fame Game), Industry is a much-deserved step up for Gagan Arora, who packs a punch in a meaty role, reflecting the highs and lows in the life of an industry aspirant. Ankita Goraya (as Gayatri) is a pleasant surprise with her spirited screen presence, who refuses to compromise with her conscience in a cutthroat world.
Lakshya Kochhar excels in a semi-exaggerated role of a nepo-kid and does a commendable job at portraying the pressures faced by an industry insider in establishing his identity. Asha Negi is perfectly cast as Sanya Sen, who’s caught between leaving behind a comfy career in television and her rosy Bollywood dreams. Chunky Pandey is his usual self in a caricaturish portrayal of a producer, a close cousin of the veteran’s Aakhri Pasta role in Housefull.
Jitendra Singh Rajput, Samarth Shandilya and Sidharth Mishra make the most of whatever they’re offered. As expected, the show features a host of special appearances – Abhishek Banerjee, Guneet Monga, Kunal Kapoor, Hansal Mehta, Amit Masurkar, Suparn Varma – that bring authenticity to the ambience.
Analysis
Barring rare examples like Rangeela and Luck By Chance, a bulk of tales centred around the film industry, more so in Hindi, are rather narrated through an elitist lens and are either crafted as celebratory odes or satires – recent web series like Jubilee and Showtime serve as a testimony. Industry, Amazon Mini TV’s latest show is a bitter-sweet offering, set in a semi-realistic space.
Industry, thankfully, doesn’t place itself on a high horse and is a grounded portrait of showbiz through characters who haven’t made it big yet. The show has stock characters to represent every stereotype in cinema – from opportunistic counterparts to sleazy managers to high-handed PRs, pampered ‘nepo’ kids to delusional producers.
The story is specifically about Ayush, a struggling screenwriter who’s yet to get a major break despite penning 25 scripts. Just when he looks set to reach dizzying heights at work, his life gradually falls apart. The premise is ideally set up to provide a birds-eye view of Bollywood, showcasing the moral conflicts of its varied characters who hope against hope to make a mark in the industry.
The show depicts the difficulties of forging meaningful relationships in a film world riddled with uncertainties. While Ayush seeks to climb the success ladder with Romil, the latter thinks otherwise, leaving his friend behind. In a role reversal act a few years later, Ayush does something similar, plagiarising his friend Gayatri’s premise and denying her due while pitching a script to a producer.
While Ayush makes a mess of his relationships (including a doomed love affair with a TV actress) and loses sight of priorities in his ascent to the top, Gayatri serves as a picture of contrast, proving it’s possible to strike a balance between the two. The star kid Rocky has a say in the tale as well, highlighting their issues in rising above the shadows of famous parents.
Other colourful characters too leave their mark in this universe – like the television actress Sanya Sen (who struggles to draw a line between friendship and love), the actor-writer Arjun Shandilya (who stands by Gayatri even as his acting career doesn’t take off) and the shady producer Rakesh Raman (representing the uncertainties in the ways of the industry).
Apart from the individual character trajectories, Industry takes a dig at casting couch experiences, the emerging corporate culture in Bollywood, how businesspersons with little foresight call the shots and writers continue to be the scapegoats despite being the brain behind the scripts. Within the three-hour runtime, crisp episodes, the show does a decent job in being a dummy’s guide to Bollywood.
Navjot Gulati, Shreyansh Pandey, Shreemi Verma and team deserve a pat on their back for delivering a show that’s realistic, familiar and engaging. Although there are a handful of industry jokes that could alienate a section of viewers, they don’t affect the momentum of the show as much. One can’t wait to watch what the second instalment has in store – the foundation is just right.
Music and Other Departments?
Gaurav Chatterji’s music has an easygoing vibe to it, not meddling with the show’s lightweight, underplayed treatment and also respecting its emotional moments. The various contours of Mumbai come to the fore with the flashy colour palette that accurately represents the ways of the film industry. The sharp editing, and relatable dialogues contribute to its appeal.
Highlights?
Crisp and engaging
Insider’s peek into Bollywood
Neat performances
Drawbacks?
Redundant at places (the storytelling gets repetitive)
Lacks emotional depth
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
Industry Series Review by Binged Bureau
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