What Is the Story About?
Undekhi Season Two resumes from where the first one (abruptly) ended. DCP Ghosh (Dibyendu Bhattacharya) who is so close to catching Koyal (Apeksha Porwal), the tribal girl who brought him to Manali, misses her assuming dead.
Meanwhile, Saloni (Ayn Zoya) hatches a sinister plan to overthrow the Atwal’s, Papaji (Harsh Chhaya) and Rinku (Surya Sharma), by gaining knowledge of the Azra Easher’s Pharma’s illegal drug business.
How DCP Ghosh becomes part of Saloni’s plan? Did Saloni and Koyal get their revenge forms the basic plot of the second season of Undekhi.
Performances?
Harsh Chhaya as the deplorable, foul mother family head, Dibyendu Bhattacharya playing the cool, calm, classical songs singing police officer and Surya Sharma, the forever frowning and angry young man on the wrong side, who impressed us in the first season continue to do the same all over again.
However, Dibyendu has a much smaller part (in comparison), though. Ayn Zoya takes up the mantle in his place. She is fine showing tenacity to hold her ground amidst powerful characters.
Ankur Rathee is sincere and gets stronger towards the end. Sayandeep Sengupta is alright. He could have done well with a bit more confidence. Apeksha Porwal has a better track to showcase her acting skills. She does well in what’s given to her. Meiyang Chang is decent in a half baked role that fails to properly explore either action or drama. The rest of the actors play small bits and pieces part most of which are recurring.
Analysis
Ashish R Shukla, the man behind the successful first season, directs the second instalment as well. The story is a direct continuation of events from the earlier season.
As we had mentioned in our Undekhi review, the ending is rushed and feels abrupt. Looking at the beginning of the season makes one wonder why it was cut there in the first place. It could have been extended easily till DCP Ghosh leaves Manali town.
It is only after DCP Ghosh leaves that the real story and set up for the second season commences.
There are multiple subplots involving the tribal girl (who gets recovered and trains in combat), the wedding crew (still trying to survive) but ultimately it’s the Atwal’s versus Samarth track that is the mainstay. The action is centred around the Ezra Easter Pharma company and its supplies.
The first thing that one feels instantly is the missing raw edge of the first season. The abusive, dark setup and the shocking misuse of power and so on took us by surprise and the performances enhances the impact. We have no such feel or momentum in the season.
With the novelty out of the way and a drugs smuggling backdrop being set up, the whole thing looks very ordinary from the ‘actual’ start of the new season. The abysmal and predictable dialogues further add to the predicament.
The entire middle stretch of the series is one long boring stretch with nothing but a build-up to the climax. The culmination of the various tracks and if there would indeed be revenge on cards is the only interest in the second season.
The drug backdrop and its operation and dealings are handled in the most amateurish way possible. The exchanges between the key players come across as silly and juvenile.
It is only towards the end with the re-introduction of DCP Ghosh that some momentum is built. It then proceeds to the big climax as expected.
The climax is alright considering everything that has happened before. An element of suspense and tension is present which makes it passable. Also, we have something happening that is true to the core darker spirit of the series. It reminds us why one might have been interested in Undekhi in the first place.
Overall, Undekhi 2 is a massive downgrade from the first season. It takes a huge time in setting up everything and delivers an equivalent of a flicker of light at the end. Watch it, if you have seen the first season.
Music and Other Departments?
Shivam Sengupta and Anuj Danait provide the music. It is okay, even though it’s a bit loud at times. Murzy Pagdiwala’s cinematography is not at the same level as the first season. Editing by Sourabh Prabhudesai could have been better. At ten episodes and looking at the content it feels very lengthy. The writing is below par and a major reason for the weaker second season.
Highlights?
Performances
Ending
Casting (Mostly Same As First Season)
Drawbacks?
Length
Weak Story
Missing Gripping Narrative
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, But With Huge Reservations
Undekhi Season 2 web Series Review by Binged Bureau