What Is the Story About?
Kabir, after a high-voltage operation involving Umar Riaz, parts ways with Nusrat but continues to be a doting father to his two kids, even if his profession comes in the way of family ties. A key figure in his Special Task Force team is killed in an encounter. Within the terrorist outfit, differences crop up between Junaid and Farid.
Performances?
Manav Vij stays true to the spirit of Kabir Farooqui – playing a thorough professional who fumbles with his personal choices. In a role where he’s asked to suppress more than express, the actor is in top form. Gaurav Arora fits the bill as the rebellious terrorist Farid, though his character feels rather underdeveloped. Shashank Arora fares better with a mysteriously nuanced portrayal of Junaid.
Rajat Kapoor is convincing as the ‘toughie’ at work. The other recognisable faces – Kabir Bedi, Arbaaz Khan and Soni Razdan – don’t have much to offer. Ekta Kaul makes a mark within the limitations of her role, while the likes of Satyadeep Misra, Sahiba Bali, Danish Husain, Sukhmani Sadana, Swati Kapoor and others slip into their parts with ease.
Analysis
The first season of every show comes with a distinct advantage – the focus remains on world-building, establishing the key characters and their conflicts without the burden of meeting expectations. There’s a deeper emotional connection with the world because you appreciate and empathise with it for what it is. As you try to replicate this impact across seasons, the magic certainly isn’t the same.
Tanaav, the Indian adaptation of the hit Israeli show Fauda, surprised many with Sudhir Mishra’s deft handling of the Kashmir conflict. It precisely explored the backdrop from two perspectives – of the Special Task Force team and a terror outfit. The humanised character study from either end of the spectrum ensured a riveting drama, packed with enough thrills, action and twists.
The second instalment of Tanaav yet again tackles the protagonist Kabir’s conflicts between his family and professional space, putting the spotlight on growing tensions and power hierarchy in a terrorist outfit. It is a logical extension of the first – showing how much has changed (or how it hasn’t). The major issue is however the absence of solid drama and the tension to keep the show alive.
As a plot, Tanaav’s new season isn’t as meaty as the first. The drama barely soars and the proceedings struggle to rise above the ‘been there, seen that’ space, offering little or no groundbreaking exploration of its conflicted backdrop. A handful of the personal conflicts resonate better than the ‘greater’ problem, dealing with the after-effects of a cutthroat profession, the trauma and betrayal.
Farid’s familial situation evokes interest when his brother Fahad is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. The cold war between Farid and Junaid – about the true inheritor of their ‘ideology’ – is equally absorbing. While the show keeps progressing at a quick pace, alternating from one event to the other, the ‘absent’ emotional beats and dull writing don’t allow the premise to grow on you.
Tanaav yet again underlines that the women remain soft targets, mute witnesses in the ‘terrorism’ problem – as honeytraps, easy preys among rival groups, having to deal with emotionally distant, indifferent men, losing partners and living amidst constant tension and anxiety. The men, despite possessing power in their hands, are as broken and refuse to take time to heal themselves.
While Sudhir Mishra and E Niwas stay loyal to the source material as possible, dealing with various dimensions of the issue at hand, the docu-style, withdrawn filmmaking, and underplayed performances deny the show of an individualistic, cinematic appeal. There are flashes of sparkle – offering a throwback to a Kashmir that was popular for mehfils over bombs. Neither the character development nor the sociological/psychological study of the region works.
Tanaav S2 is sensible but soul-sucking at the same time. It exhausts you more than it engages.
Music and Other Departments?
Karel Antonin’s background score, much like the tone of the series, is precise and un-showy, preferring to stay in the backseat while also adding depth to the proceedings. Adhir Bhat’s matter-of-factly dialogues switches between Hindi, Urdu and its various slangs effortlessly.
Quais Waseeq lends a unique character to the ambience, portraying Kashmir with the authenticity of an insider. Abbas Ali Moghul’s realistic action choreography and editor Abhishek Seth’s efforts to put together a cohesive narrative are worthy of praise.
Highlights?
Manav Vij, Shashank Arora’s performances
Authenticity in the storytelling
Exploration of the Kashmir conflict across various dimensions
Drawbacks?
Absence of any tension, solid drama
The emotional beats don’t work effectively
The dicey character establishment
Did I Enjoy It?
Only in parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, if you’re in the mood for a grim, brooding terror drama
Tanaav Season 2 Review by Binged Bureau
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