Ray film assessment: Manoj Bajpayee, Gajraj Rao, Chandal Roy Sanyal shine in Netflix anthology

The new four-part Netflix anthology primarily based on brief tales by Satyajit Ray is a combined bag. One part stands out, the opposite holds promise and the opposite two should not far off the display screen.

There are not any prizes for guessing who tops the record. Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa, directed by Abhishek Chaubey, stars a bunch of the best actors to work in Hindi cinema. Manoj Bajpayee essays the function of ‘Dil-Thrown’ ghazal singer Musafar Ali, who’s infused with the old style ‘Shayrana Andaz’. Gajraj Rao is Aslam Baig, a former wrestler, whose ‘dhobhi pachhad’, a posh ‘wrestling’ transfer, is known from ‘Delhi to Agare’ (solely acquainted on using ‘Agre’ for ‘Agra’) will smile).

Sharing an unlucky prepare journey in one of many practically forgotten cozy coupes, Ali and Baig make out with one another, and outdated secrets and techniques, together with kleptomania and a deadly twist in destiny, come out.

The glare of the prepare, the wobbling of the coach, the silence of the onlookers, all come collectively on this part, with Bajpayee twinkling from behind his dazzling glasses, Rao on the prime of his sport, and also you listening with pleasure as ‘Muslims’ The type of foul language has disappeared from the flicks after the ‘Social’ hit deep sixes.

Raghubir Yadav and Manoj Pahwa have walk-on elements, and that is all they want. The solely downside I’ve with this solidly constructed, well-designed part is that the journey actually stays nice and quiet. I stored ready for the customary sharp edge, part of Abhishek Chaubey’s arsenal.

What occurs when an actor (Harshvardhan Kapoor) who sticks to only ‘one look’ will get caught in a bondage, not solely of his personal making? ‘Spotlight’ presents the within view of showbiz and the attendant shallowness that’s an intrinsic a part of it. The loyal secretary (Chandan Roy Sanyal) who is aware of what buttons to push to maintain his shopper on observe, the mom of the boy who has full religion in her, and the younger man of restricted expertise himself, riddled with insecurities and doubts and stigma is crammed.

The comic-book bits in it remind you of Bala’s ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota’, however ‘Spotlight’ is not sufficient. Radhika Madan, who was so comfortable within the earlier movie, does not fairly fill her a part of the loopy common didi, whose ft are worshiped by her ‘bhakts’. Here’s one thing, sending blind fandom in each hokey faith and present enterprise. Bala who offers himself the function of a director in a Hawaiian shirt is gorgeous. And why do not we see extra of Roy Sanyal, who performs his half completely?

The different two, ‘Bahurupi’ and ‘Forget Me Not’, directed by Srijit Mukherji, are each disappointing. Not as a result of the actors aren’t making an attempt. Kay Kay Menon, as an skilled make-up artist who will get caught between a rock and a really laborious place, will get a deserved function. What occurs to your necessities once you placed on a masks? Can you conceal your self so efficiently that you just disappear? Interesting query, and also you await the reply. They come, a lot underlined, far more. And that is the issue with Forget Me Not, which is a few extremely profitable, overly egotistical man who prides himself on having despatched his reminiscence (Ali Afzal) to a bewildered thoughts. Here’s a lesson: Pride comes earlier than a mighty downfall, and nothing lasts ceaselessly.

Each part is roughly one hour lengthy. Choose thoughtfully.