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By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | January 29, 2025 The Essence: Paatal Lok Season 2 explores the darker aspects of the human psyche through the lens of a […]
By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | January 29, 2025
The Essence: Paatal Lok Season 2 explores the darker aspects of the human psyche through the lens of a street-smart cop who cannot be overshadowed by power or money. This web series is a must-watch, offering a masterclass in filmmaking and showcasing the seamless performance of every character as they contribute to a larger narrative.
It has been one week since I binged-watched Paatal Lok Season 2, and I am still contemplating how to review this brilliant work of exceptional artistry. Can anyone attempt to review this dark intensity portrayed with such cunning clarity? After finishing it, I revisited my review of Pataal Lok Season 1 on Opening Doorz and realized I had rated it 5 out of 5 stars—season one was gruesomely awesome!
I don’t think anyone can genuinely rate Season 2 of Paatal Lok.
As a viewer, long after the end credits have rolled and the screen has gone blank, you find yourself in awe, internally applauding the talented individuals who worked hard to create this moving piece of art on screen.
You revisit scenes in your mind that you may have missed, trying to connect the dots and fill in the blanks as Hathi Ram Chaudhary visits the Hawala agent in Episode 8, the final episode. He could have walked away with INR 2 crores, but instead, he takes INR 25 lakhs leaving the agent bewildered! That’s Hathi Ram Chaudhary—the heart and soul of Paatal Lok, famously known as Jaideep Ahlawat to everyone. More about Jaideep Ahlawat later.
Season 1 had two directors: Avinash Arun Dhaware and Prosit Roy. However, Prosit Roy is not involved in Season 2, only Avinash Arun Dhaware is directing. He collaborates closely with his team, ensuring that everyone on set contributes their passion. Every detail is meticulously arranged, from the placement of dustbins to bicycles, creating a visually appealing environment. The lighting, cinematography, and art direction are all commendable, along with the hard work of the spot boys and stunt artists. Even a flickering bulb overhead in a scene adds character and contributes to the overall aura of the series.
Paatal Lok Season 2 has made a remarkable return, successfully building upon the foundations laid in Season 1. Maintaining the same level of intrigue and engagement is challenging for any web series, and the team has done an excellent job of Sudhir Sharma’s writing. It’s rare for a writer’s vision to be portrayed so clearly on screen; often, such writing can be lost in translation. It takes a skilled director to bring the narrative to life.
Dhaware does just that: Season 2 is a delight for discerning viewers!
Director Dhaware begins his magic in Episode 1 introducing Rokibul Hossain with his angelic face and magical eyes. No words are spoken, it’s just his intense, innocent gaze that is enough to melt the viewer and the street-toughened Hathi Ram Chaudhary.
A scene before that, Dhaware had jolted us out of our senses with a gruesome decapitation of a leader of Nagaland, Jonathan Thom (Kaguirong Gonmei) who had come for a Nagaland Business Summit in New Delhi. And this is where the series moves… deep into Nagaland, its people, and their woes.
And this is where Hathi Ram Chaudhary gets pulled into… Guddu Paswan (Rokibul Hossain) has walked into the police station with his mother, who is begging for help. Her husband has gone missing. Is there a link to the beheading and the missing husband, a musician in a wedding band?
A high-profile inquiry is underway, led by Ishwak Singh (Imran Ansari), who trained under Hathi Ram Chaudhary during his internship in Season 1. Now his superior, Ishwak maintains a nuanced relationship with Hathi Ram, characterised by an undercurrent of familiarity in their interactions, marked by the respectful use of “Sir”.
Hathi Ram gets involved in the investigation of this high-profile case due to the disappearance of the musician-husband. Ishwak believes there may be a connection with Jonathan Thom’s murder, and impresses his superiors about Hathi Ram’s exceptional ability to uncover the truth behind a crime.
Together, they travel to Nagaland to search for the murderer. There, they team up with Meghana Basu (Tillotama Shome), the police officer in charge, who joins forces with them to investigate the beheading.
In Nagaland, there are political groups that oppose this summit. Chief among them is Jonathan Thom’s son, Reuben Thom (L.C. Sekhose). Is this a political murder, asks a reporter. “There’s a potential investment of INR 20,000 crores that could transform Nagaland and bring long-term peace and development to the region. Let’s not jump to any conclusions,” says Kapil Reddy (Nagesh Kukunoor), a special advisor to the Indian government. Reddy is the suave politician with eyes on the booty. Is he the killer?
Jaideep Ahlawat is a lesson in motion. A powerhouse performer. He delivers his performance with remarkable ease, in any and every scene. His interactions with every character in the series stand out because each actor shines, even those with only brief roles.
His scenes with Imran Ansari are deep. The bond they share is palpable. The moment when Jaideep asks him if he can stop calling him “Sir” for this one time, after realizing who he is, is heart-warming— direct and without embellishments. It’s raw and brilliantly delivered. Imran’s performance evokes a deep sense of longing through its simplicity and power. Much like Rokibul Hossain, his performance too, haunts you.
There are too many actors to mention individually, but suffice it to say that they all excel in their roles. For me, Jaideep Ahlawat, Imran Ansari, and Rokibul Hossain stand out. Rokibul in particular, connects the episodes from one to eight with his innocent and intense gaze.
In Episode one, as his distraught mother is begging for help at the police station, he shares a glance with Jaideep Ahlawat. There are a zillion thoughts that pass through the mind as a viewer. In the last episode, as he leaves with his grandparents, Rikibul and Jaideep lock eyes again. Again, no words are exchanged, yet their gaze conveys a thousand unspoken sentiments.
Paatal Lok Season 2 explores the darker aspects of the human psyche through the lens of a street-smart cop who cannot be overshadowed by power or money. This web series is a must-watch, offering a masterclass in filmmaking and showcasing the seamless performance of every character as they contribute to a larger narrative.
Take a bow, Dhaware and Co.
CREDITS
Producers: Clean Slate Filmz Production, Eunoia Films LLP
Director: Avinash Arun Dhaware
Star Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Rokibul Hossain, Gul Panag, Tillotama Shome
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