Scoop Review: Karishma Tanna Shines In Riveting Account Of Crime Reporter's Battle, Marking A Career Highlight

The motivation that drives most newspaper reporters, despite the various risks they face, is the excitement of pursuing a potential front-page article or an exclusive story. These risks encompass sacrificing personal time with family, enduring long hours of work, and even exposing themselves to dangerous situations.

Scoop, a web-series on Netflix, titled after the memoir Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison by former crime reporter Jigna Vora, tells a captivating story about the intricate realm of print journalism, the shadowy underworld of Mumbai, and the involvement of the police.

With his previous web-series Scam 1992 in 2020, director Hansal Mehta showcased his prowess in depicting real-life stories. The series delved into the tale of stockbroker Harshad Mehta, set in Bombay during the 1980s and 1990s, presenting a captivating narrative that never veered into exaggeration while captivating the audience with its immersive world.

Now, Mehta, along with his team, returned to portray the story of a determined and resourceful character named Jagruti Pathak (renamed from Vora in the show) in his latest project. Jagruti is the deputy bureau chief at Eastern Age, a newspaper based in Mumbai.

Plot:

After the tragic killing of Jaideb Sen, a character based on the renowned crime reporter J Dey who was shot in 2011, Pathak finds herself falsely implicated and arrested as one of the primary suspects in his murder. She endures a harrowing period of nearly eight months behind bars before finally being granted bail.

Similarly, in Vora's real-life case, it took her seven arduous years of legal battles to have the charges against her dismissed. This gripping human drama is enhanced by the exceptional ensemble cast. The notable performances from Karishma Tanna as Pathak, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Harman Baweja, and Tannishtha Chatterjee stand out in particular.

Cast:

The acting in Hansal Mehta's Scoop is truly remarkable. Karishma Tanna's depiction of Jagruti Pathak, who not only tackles the challenges of being a single mother to a 10-year-old child but also a fearless reporter, stands out as the highlight of the web series. Tanna flawlessly embodies every emotion required of her character, effortlessly balancing the roles of a courageous journalist and a lovable mother. Her exceptional performance shines through in every scene, making the web series a highly engaging watch.

Imran, portrayed by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, is another remarkable character in the series. His role is enhanced by thought-provoking dialogues that shed light on the current state of journalism in India. Ayyub, a seasoned theatre actor, skillfully delivers his performance by effectively expressing emotions without resorting to melodrama. He showcases his talent in bringing out the best in his character, adding depth and resonance to the show.

Prosenjit Chatterjee's brief appearance leaves a strong impact and he is truly an indispensable input that cannot be overlooked in the show. Harman Baweja, a delightful surprise in Scoop, does a commendable job in portraying a corrupt yet emotionally-driven police officer. Additionally, the supporting cast, including Inayat Sood, Deven Bhojani, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Tanmay Dhanania, Shikha Talsania, and others, deliver exceptional performances that do complete justice to their respective characters.

What works for the series?

Even though Scoop draws inspiration from real events that took place more than ten years ago, director Hansal Mehta and the writing team, consisting of Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul and Mirat Trivedi, skillfully present a thought-provoking exploration of the current state of journalism without resorting to exaggerated tactics.

The series effectively portrays the intricate dynamics between the police and the media, highlighting their complex and interdependent relationship, where each side believes they have the upper hand over the other. The show successfully establishes this delicate balance while avoiding an overtly confrontational approach.

The series effectively addresses the biases and societal perceptions surrounding "strong women" and highlights the threat they can pose to those around them. It sheds light on the price these women often have to pay for their strength.

However, the writers, Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul and Mirat Trivedi, skillfully inject a sense of positivity into the narrative. Even during Pathak's most challenging moments, she receives unwavering support from her family and fellow journalists who firmly believe in her.

What doesn't work?

The first part of Scoop proved to be highly engaging as it delved deeper into the intricate dynamics between law enforcement and the media, while also highlighting Jagruti's relentless quest for a scandalous story that ultimately resulted in her downfall.

That's not to say that the latter half was subpar; it effectively addressed the central theme of an unjust imprisonment of a journalist, despite her innocence. However, during these sequences, the show somewhat ventured into familiar territory reminiscent of Criminal Justice, which occasionally affected the pacing of the narrative.

Scoop's unfortunate timing coincides with the oversaturation of gritty prison dramas on platforms like Hotstar, which have seen diminishing returns with each subsequent season. Additionally, in Scoop, several intriguing supporting characters that were introduced in the initial episodes are often not fully utilised in the later parts of the series.

One such example is the character of rookie Deepa Chandra, played by Inayat Sood, who undergoes a captivating transformation from being Jagruti's loyal and dedicated subordinate to a treacherous opportunist on the path to becoming the malleable reporters we often encounter today.

Although her arc is intriguing, Deepa's character receives limited development in the final episodes. Nevertheless, these segments convey a sense of irony when Jagruti herself becomes a victim of media trial, providing director Hansal Mehta an opportunity to critique the present state of India's fourth pillar of democracy with sharp precision.

There is another minor concern: In an attempt to tie all the loose ends together, the show tends to present an excessive amount of information in the final episode, which could potentially overwhelm the viewer.

Final Verdict:

Hansal Mehta's successful run in the realm of OTT platforms continues with Scoop, a well-crafted series that merits attention due to its strong performances, particularly by Karishma Tanna, and its valuable exploration of the deteriorating landscape of journalism. This series is definitely worth watching for its compelling portrayal and thought-provoking insights.