After watching Sacred Games and Delhi Crime, I wondered if they would be able to build reach level in any other show. Sometimes Mirzapur, Asura, Family Man came, became popular and more or less appreciated.Paatal Lok has surpassed all that in a way that may not be as grandiose as the Sacred Games, but there is a grittiness like the Delhi Crimes, the police force struggling to cope with the various problems that plague Indian society and finding a big conspiracy behind it.
All of these are common in the web series. However, Paatal Lok of Anushka Sharma's production did what Asura, Mirzapur could not do. A great 9-episode crime-drama with great writing, cinematography, directing and characterization, inspired by the young Tejpal's novel "The Story of My Assassins" based on true events.
Watch Sudip Sharma's previous films- NH10, Udta Punjab, Laal Kaptaan, Sonchiriya. Two directors Abhinash Arun and Prasit Roy are from two diffrent genres. Abhinash, who has done cinematography like Masaan, Drishyam, Madaari, Karwaan, is also directing here for the first time. With Prasit Roy who made Pari. The assistant director was Woodstock villa who directed a horror film like Ek thi daayan.
That's why the violence of Paatal Lok was not over-the-top even though it was such a competition. I don't remember the last time I saw such good camera work in an Indian series. Because Abhinash was accompanied by Hardik Mehta, the cinematographer of Trapped and Kamyaab.The two levels of the 3 levels of the underworld have been completely captured on camera by two people - a journalist Sanjeev Mehra's Jagat (Paradise) and another Inspector Hatiram Singh's (Earth's Floor).
Characterization is the 2nd power of Paatal Lok. The biggest difference I have with Sacred Games here is that a few of the main characters here are portrayed so well that it feels more like a crime drama than a crime thriller. The backstory of 4 prisoners is also different and great.
Sanjeev, Hatiram's family marital life, their professional relationships are so beautifully written that one has to be shocked. The biggest thing - can be related.
Although he doesn't like Sanjeev Sharma as a character, Hatiram and his assistant Ansari, his senior but childhood friend Virak - these relationships are perfect and touching. Many may think that these plots are far from the original case, but that is why we have to look at the end.
The last twist is so buttermilk and brilliant that one has to stand up and applaud for that writing, not even for a full 6 hours in this series. References to Hindu mythology did not seem to be imposed as in the Asur series but have always been implied, which can only be grasped by viewers who have read about it. Munsiana is the reason for this subtlety and construction style in writing, but it has never been monotonous. If there is an award in the screenplay of the web series, it is sure to go to hell.
Lastly acting- actually it should be called casting. Abhishek Banerjee has taken all good actors even in small roles here, even a scooter driver has poured his best in a 2 minute role. Gul Panag, Swastika in the role of two wives. Swastika has surprised the most. You will understand when you see it. But the biggest stars of the underworld - Joydeep Awlat and Abhishek Banerjee.
Seeing Joydeep as a villain in a commercial film like Commando, it seemed that he was not an ordinary actor, not many people remembered Shahid Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur 1, I felt the weight of his performance in that small role too. Aleya Bhatt's trainer character in Raaji is also significant. But so far he could not go beyond the minor character. Goals when the opportunity arises! After that, Joydeep left behind Saif Ali's Sardar Singh in the role of inspector.
If I write about Paatal Lok, it will become bigger, so in the end, I am going to end by talking about 2 characters Chini and Hathoda Tyagi. Abhishek Banerjee's "Tyagi" is not easy to forget, as is Ronaldo Singh, the "Chini" character with references to the Sacred Games. Almost every scene between them is thrilling.
In fact, it is very difficult to exclude someone who is great in every character and acting. Violence, quite an adult in terms of sex. However, there is no seductive nudity. There are some scenes that are terribly daring.
Season 1 doesn't end with a half-story like the Sacred Games but ends in a way that is neither too realistic nor cinematic, just as smart and intelligent as the rest of the show.
Sudip Sharma has already said that some points of season 2 are coming to his head. The rest is up to Amazon Prime.
Even after all this,Paatal Lok is not for the common people. The use of local language and English is so evident in different class of society, one has to rely on subtitles. Those who watch unreasonable popcorn thrillers in the name of twists like Asur, Ratsasan, I wonder how much they will understand Paatal Lok. If you like Delhi Crime, Sacred Games (including season 2), then this is for you.
