First time director Ajitpal Singh takes just the germ of Mohanlal’s blockbuster thriller Drishyam. A family man who’ll go to any lengths to protect his brood when there’s an accidental killing at home.
Show creator Harman Wadala and writers Sandeep Jain and Mr Roy go on to set up an elaborate plot with drugs, crime, politics and police that revolve around shop owner Omkar (Pavan Raj Malhotra) and his family.
Omkar, a sardar who adores his diabetic wife Sargun (Supriya Pathak Kapur), helps her make mithai and gives her insulin shots with love and care. Omkar who freezes at the sight of a gun.
But with two grown-up sons, Happy (Gagan Arora) and Tegi (Sahil Mehta), sibling rivalry and an unfortunate crime at home, the honey-dripping isn’t going to last.
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Friendship that turns to blackmail. A cop the family has known since he was an infant and his dogged police work. Two close friends in love with the same girl. A marriage with a fat dowry demand.
A lonely, dangerous politician who guns humans who err and dogs that bark. And then calmly plays the piano. A sidekick called Multan with a Doberman.
The crowing of a raven that foretells doom.
The eight episodes keep turning.
With lovely music by Sneha Khanwalkar, the serenity of Gurbani, Punjabi in free flow and visits to the gurdwara, the world around Omkar gets its authenticity. But it’s a world that’s imploding.
By the time the season ends, Omkar and his family are unrecognisable. It’s no longer a hearty, innocent tabbar that’s satisfied with its parathas and insulin shots. As Sargun goes from diabetic-sweet to a dramatic Lady Macbeth who blabbers deliriously, and Omkar makes gajjar ka halwa like it’s the best prescription for diabetes, the self-preserving shop owner with his conscience in a coma, is a man you really don’t want to befriend anymore.
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Some of the performances help the plot move even if there are plenty of convenient moments like Omkar strolling into a forensics lab for one of his diabolical moves and doing what he wants without a soul in sight.
Pavan Malhotra’s steady performance holds the intricate plot with Supriya providing spousal support. Ranvir Sheorey carries menace around him as Ajeet Sodhi, the politician. Paramvir Singh Cheema is at ease as Lucky, the sincere policeman keen to unravel the plot. Those who enjoy a large dose of Punjabi will feel at home with Omkar and his tabbar.
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