What Is the Story About?
Shiri, mother to two children and the wife of a businessman Naveen, is a wannabe magician. After marrying against their parents’ wishes, Naveen struggles to hold the family together with his unstable returns. He mysteriously flees his home one night, leaving the children behind. How far does Shiri come to the family’s rescue? Will Naveen return?
Performances?
Popular television actress Divyanka Tripathi stays true to the verve and never-say-die spirit of the titular character, holding the fort with an assured, confident and lively performance. Jaaved Jaaferi, cast in a crucial role as a former magician with a legacy, delivers the goods, supporting the protagonist in her pursuits. Namit Das is just okay in an underdeveloped role as an insecure husband.
Nishank Varma, playing the new man in Shiri’s life after Naveen, has an enthusiastic screen presence, coming up with a mature, measured portrayal. While the child artists Hanisha Gehlot and Angad Maaholay bring a likeable quality to their performances, experienced hands like Neeta Mohindra and Neelu Kohli don’t disappoint either.
Analysis
The Magic of Shiri, set in the world of magic and illusion, is a story centred on an ambitious woman who chases her dreams battling all odds. Shiri, the daughter of a famous magician, aspires to follow in her father’s footsteps, though family circumstances deny her the opportunity. Despite the basic lifestyle, she is happily married to Naveen, raising two kids, until everything changes overnight.
Naveen runs an unsuccessful press, only to vanish from his home, leaving behind a half-hearted handwritten note. When the onus is on Shiri to be the breadwinner, she turns to magic but only manages a lowly job under a local magician Viktor. She bumps into an erstwhile popular magician Saleem, who pushes her to aim high. Besides magic, she eventually grabs a stable job too.
The show unfolds in the 90s, when the world is gradually inching towards the internet era and the avenues for entertainment are few and far between. In such a situation, the show takes the viewer through the life of a strong woman who deals with an absent husband, keeps the home fire burning and carves her niche in a male bastion of magicians despite consistent discouragement.
The backdrop is certainly new and refreshing, especially with a female protagonist at the helm. There’s enough time devoted to establishing the nuances associated with the profession. Several sequences where Shiri entertains her son with her antics, the miraculous disappearance of the Qutub Minar, and her efforts in mastering the cannon ball trick are worthy of praise.
With magic, the director uses the theme smartly to his advantage, creating intriguing parallels between the drama on and off stage. The highs and lows in Shiri’s life are captivating enough to hold one’s attention. Shiri initially faces criticism from her father-in-law, the husband later reveals his true colours and it’s only with the arrival of Aakash and Saleem that she finds hope in men again.
At every step, Shiri is cautioned/warned about stepping afoot in the magic arena – a handful of characters suggest that the life of a magician is as illusionary as his/her acts. The drama takes a new turn with Naveen’s return and male insecurity creates trouble in the paradise, triggering a divorce notice and a custody battle.
It’s impressive that a show like The Magic of Shiri rightly documents the many domestic and workplace challenges faced by modern-day working women without turning preachy. Though the storytelling is not top class, within the constraints – budgetary and the acting talent – the show is progressive, offers a good mix of drama and humour and serves as a warm throwback to a different era.
The Magic of Shiri may not be magical and could’ve benefited from better filmmaking though it’s not a bad watch if you go by what it strives to convey.
Music and Other Departments?
Diptarka Bose’s background score is appreciable, though the songs are far from memorable. Subhankar Bhar’s cinematography is a major highlight- transporting the viewers into a magical realm, where the lines between reality and illusion are blurred.
He’s helped considerably by the contributions of production designer Shikha Sharma and costume designs (by Jia Bhagya and Mallika Chauhan). However, the 5-hour duration is an area of concern and the necessity to opt for a long-winded storytelling style is debatable, patience-testing.
Highlights?
Unique plot, progressive theme
Good performances
Impressive detailing within the backdrop
Drawbacks?
Long-winded storytelling
Under-developed characters
Conflicts feel forced
Did I Enjoy It?
Only in parts
Will You Recommend It?
Only if you have some time to kill
The Magic of Shiri Web Series Review by Binged Bureau
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