JE Entertainment Desk: What happens when a family has no choice but to choose the path of violence for their survival? Disney+ Hotstar has released its original Telugu web series 'Shaitan' which focuses on the thin line between crime and survival and the violence and revenge that comes along with it. Directed by Mahi V Raghav, the series stars Rishi, Shelly, Ravi Kale, Deviyani and Jaffer Sadiq, among others.
The Plot:
Baali and his family will go to any lengths to survive in the cruel world where the authorities and system have failed. However, to survive, they fall into the world of crime and the line between crime and survival gets blurred.
Review:
'Shaitan' captures your attention from the start and dives straight into the world of crime instead of beating around the bush. The story is told through Baali's perspective where the character narrates his life through a series of flashbacks. Even though 'Shaitan' shows different timelines, it does not confuse the viewers or bombard them with too much information.
Each episode is around 30 minutes long which is a great way to captivate the audience without stretching the storyline. As each episode leaves you with cliffhangers, the series becomes more interesting and intriguing as the story progresses.
Our anti-heroes are written in such a way that you sympathise with them and their choices without justifying their deeds. Each and every actor has done a phenomenal job of portraying characters with grey shades and has brilliantly shown complex emotions. The audience is introduced to several characters and 'Shaitan' does a commendable job of showing their journey in an engaging manner as the show dives deep into the crime world.
However, 'Shaitan' is not everyone's cup of tea as the gruesome and violent scenes can be hard to watch. Director Mahi V Raghav has not shied away from showing some of the most horrifying and dreadful scenes in the series. The background score in 'Shaitan' deserves a praise as it adds more intensity to the scenes without overpowering the dialogues.
Performances:
Every actor in the series has done an amazing job of portraying complex characters with shades of grey. Shelly Kumar as Savitri is spectacular as she brilliantly portrayed the role of a mother who can go to any lengths for her kids. Her character's journey from a helpless mother to a strong-headed woman is a treat to watch. Jaffer Sadiq is perfect as Gumthi, who is willing to do anything for his brother.
Meanwhile, Deviyani Sharma plays the role of a naive Jayapradha, who gets stuck amid the violence around her and perfectly portrays her agony and anger through her eyes. Rishi as Baali steals the show and aces his complex character with ease. He shows the anguish and helplessness of Baali through his eyes as you sympathise with him but questions his decisions.
Final Thoughts:
If you love crime thrillers like 'Mirzapur' and 'Paatal Lok', then 'Shaitan' is for you. Even though the violence in the series can be unsettling to watch, the story and the performances will keep you hooked.
Directed by: Mahi V Raghav
Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar