What Is the Story About?
After the murder of his close friend and indie musician Mauj, Raghav parts ways with his father and their music label Galaxy. Raghav, in a bid to fulfil his deceased friend’s last wish, starts his label Khalbali Records, to nurture upcoming musicians. Khalbali’s early days are far from smooth and Galaxy employs every trick in the book to diminish its never-say-die spirit. Who has the last laugh?
Performances?
Ram Kapoor, an obvious choice to play a music industry baron, brings elegance and panache to his appealingly hammy portrayal. Saloni Batra’s strong screen presence as Ananya adds juice to the proceedings. Skand Thakur, cast as a resurgent Raghav who doesn’t think twice about confronting his father, holds the show together with a measured performance.
Beyond her good looks, Saloni Khanna is equally effective as a performer, playing a woman gradually coming to terms with the death of her boyfriend. Sanghmitra Hitaishi, as a victimised musician, passes muster. Prabh Deep is impactful within his brief screen time, while the likes of Kumar Varun, Epr Iyer, Suchitra Pillai, Prakash Belawadi and others make a mark in their limited roles.
Analysis
Khalbali Records, which unfolds amidst the indie music scene in Delhi, puts the spotlight on a professional tussle between a father and a son, which takes ugly turns with time. The Devanshu Singh directorial deals with the muddy politics enveloping the music arena, good enough to tear a family apart. It’s a story of a giant versus an underdog with conflicting ideologies and how there can’t be a middle ground between the two.
The show reflects the uncomfortable truths of our divisive era- where a popular musician is shot dead in the middle of a concert because his songs had hurt ‘public sentiments.’ A scenario not too unfamiliar, ain’t it? It taps into the rebellious spirit with which underground music is born, where artistes don’t fear being ‘anti-establishment’ and do what it takes to bring their art to the masses.
Though the story is essentially about the music industry, it is only an excuse to peel into the many layers of the complex dynamics within a powerhouse family. When Mauj dies, his close friend Raghav demands immediate action. Tension escalates within the latter’s family, ultimately prompting Raghav to start a new label and take on his business baron father – Mavendra Rai Singh.
Meanwhile, Ananya (Raghav’s sister) sandwiched between the father and son, finds it difficult to take sides. The scenario only worsens when she has a bitter fallout with her girlfriend and musician Monali, who presses sexual harassment charges against Tashan, one of Galaxy’s artists. In this game of upmanship, Raghav comes of age while Mavendra’s dominance is tested.
Alternating between the music industry and the ugly family politics, Khalbali Records has a reasonably absorbing screenplay but struggles to do justice to both dimensions of the story. The fizz in the premise wears out after the early episodes – the proceedings turn predictable and there are no real surprises in store. The execution is neat and textbook-like but lacks vigour and a strong emotional hook.
In terms of detailing, it does everything to create an authentic ambience, tackling the insecurities, emotional highs and lows of musicians, what triggers them and inspires them to create art. From fake media stories planted by agents and targeted trolls to threaten artists to inciting the public against a popular figure and the industry’s problematic handling of sexual misconduct, you get to witness dark corners of the music arena.
As a show, Khalbali Records gets many aspects right – an arresting premise, a competitive cast, the performances, the intricacies in the writing and the detailing, but it needed a stronger adhesive to bind them together. It’s hard to point out where exactly the show loses steam. The mediocre music and the dull lyrics are definitely among its sore spots and the conflicts too become simplistic after a point.
Khalbali Records is neither unmissable nor unbearable – it’s just unaffecting.
Music and Other Departments?
For someone of Amit Trivedi’s credibility, it’s only natural to expect much from a show centring around music, which he’s composed in collaboration with Azaadi Records. However, it is fair to say that the songs are largely disappointing and barely help the narrative come alive. Archit Patel’s vibrant cinematography complements the show, while the costume design and production design create a solid impression too.
Highlights?
Arresting premise
Apt casting, effective performances
Detailing of the indie music scene
Drawbacks?
Show loses fizz after the initial episodes
Needed more vigour in the storytelling
Poor music
Did I Enjoy It?
Only in parts
Will You Recommend It?
Provided you’re an indie-music enthusiast
Khalbali Records Series Review by Binged Bureau
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