What Is the Story About?
Disney Plus Hotstar’s latest Indian original series ‘Label’ is a Tamil drama that centres on how the law and people judge individuals on the basis of their skin colour, place of origin, occupation and more, imposing unjust labels on them. In ‘Label’, the title also refers to the myriad gangs that rule over the crime world on the basis of how powerful their ‘label’ is.
Prabha (Jai Sampath) is born and brought up in the notorious, criminal-infested Vaali Nagar area of North Chennai. A bad experience with the law in his childhood, owing to his place of origin, turns him into a crusader and reformer, who uses his law degree to fight against the injustice of labels.
Label is written and directed by Arunraja Kamaraj, and produced by Muthamizh Padaippagam Productions, in association with AJ Prabhakaran of ARK Entertainment.
Performances?
Jai Sampath delivers an assured performance as do-gooder lawyer Prabha, who wants to reform the youth of his gangster-infested locality, and banish the stigma of criminality they’re burdened with. Tanya Hope is average as Mahitha, media producer and Prabha’s love interest.
Sriman is good as Prabha’s senior lawyer and mentor. Ilavarasu, as a senior cop, lights up the screen in every scene he features in. Mahendran and Harishankar Narayanan are impressive in their roles as local goons, looking to climb the ladder in their gang. Jasper is a hoot as the powerful goon, Paathalam.
Analysis
On the face of it, ‘Label’ comes across as a hard-hitting drama, with a compelling message driving the narrative. Those born in localities labeled as criminal hotspots are automatically dubbed as ruffians and goons. Dharavi in Mumbai, Sonagachi in Kolkata, North Chennai, Seelampur in Delhi are a few such big city crime-infested areas that are associated only with the mafia, dons and gangsters. In Label, those born in the fictional Vaali Nagar in Chennai are similarly stigmatised and looked down upon.
Writer-director Arunraja Kamaraj has written a riveting story, and also directed it with a deft hand. The premise is not new by any standard. The recent Bollywood film ‘Jhund’ had a similar premise – a do-gooder deploying extracurricular activities (Football in Jhund; sports, music and education in Label) to motivate youth raised in the midst of crime to break the shackles of their origins and strive for a better, crime-free future.
But the setting of Label leaves a deeper impact than Jhund ever could. The violence in the movie, for one, is graphic and in-your-face. It leaves you stunned with the copious blood and gore on display. The hard-core criminals are remorseless and relentless. How successful can one man be, to bring about a change in such a scenario?
The narrative makes an interesting twist at the end of the third episode. Unfortunately, it ends on the twist, with the story to continue next week. Disney Plus Hotstar has done a disservice to the show by releasing only three episodes initially. Most viewers might simply not return to the show, to watch the rest of the episodes. Or maybe they will, who knows.
Overall, Label is a well-written show, with persuasive characters and an intriguing plot. Let’s hope it is able to keep up the momentum in the later episodes.
Music and Other Departments?
Sam CS’s background music for the series is energetic and well-suited to the narrative. Dinesh Krishnan’s cinematography is superb. Some shots are exceptional, elevating the story by notches. Raja Arumugam’s editing is efficient, though a tad erratic.
Highlights?
Story and direction
Cinematography
Drawbacks?
None that is worth mentioning
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, mostly
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, for fans of crime and legal dramas
Label Series Review by Binged Bureau