Screen Time : Shows to Mark the End of 2023
A mysterious disease wreaks havoc, a city faces nature’s fury, friends contemplate love, and lovers navigate marriage. These are some fun recommendations for the holiday season.
Kaala Pani (Hindi)
Netflix
Set in the very near future of 2027 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the series opens with the locals preparing for a grand cultural festival that’s expected to attract hordes of tourists. But all is not as it seems in this picturesque haven. An indigenous tribe called the Orakas, expecting an epidemic, have been retreating further into the wild. Furthermore, chief medical officer Soudamini Singh (Mona Singh) is treating a mysterious ailment that seems to have its origin in the water surrounding the area. As more and more people begin displaying symptoms of this deadly bacteria, there’s a mad scramble to find a cure. Will the community, still recovering from the aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic, be able to survive this threat? The story unravels at a tense pace with some fantastic performances. Singh’s role is too short. Director Ashutosh Gowariker, in his acting comeback, plays a cool-headed and pragmatic lieutenant governor who must make some tough decisions. Amey Wagh, as the slimy ACP Kamat, has been banished from the mainland for his shady dealings. Sukant Goel is Chiru, a tour guide with a shocking past. The makers have nailed the look and feel of an eco thriller, with a storyline that’s as eerily tenable as the twists and turns. There’s some serious buzz about Season 2—and I, for one, can’t wait!
Mumbai Diaries: Season 2 (Hindi)
Amazon Prime Video
Survival is a recurring theme this month. After a dramatic first season, which was based on the 2008 attacks on Mumbai (also referred to as the 26/11 attacks), Mumbai Diaries in its second season has the devastating 2005 Maharashtra floods as the backdrop. Over a thousand people died as the city of Mumbai and some other neighbouring areas were lashed by incessant rain for over 48 hours, resulting in people having to walk back long distances to their home, houses collapsing, and train and other transportation services coming to a complete halt. In the second season, star surgeon at the fictional Bombay General Hospital, Kaushik Oberoi (Mohit Raina), is facing the repercussions of saving a terrorist’s life (first season), while his heavily pregnant wife is stuck in the floods and goes into labor. Dr. Chitra (Konkona Sen Sharma) is confronted with her traumatic past as she has to work alongside her abusive husband, Dr. Chandra (Parambrata Chattopadhaya), who has been posted to her hospital. As the hospital deals with a rush of patients on a day that seems to be never-ending, the infrastructure itself is crumbling, as are the spirits of the interns and young doctors. High on drama and lifted by some superlative performances, this installment trumps the first season. Definitely a must-watch.
Half Love Half Arranged (Hindi)
Amazon miniTV
Switching gears from surviving the elements to surviving the dating game. Based on the book Half Love, Half Arranged by Itisha Peerbhoy (full disclosure: Itisha and I were classmates in college in Mumbai and remain close pals), the story is about a 30-something gynecologist, Riya Tanwar (Maanvi Gagroo), who after a bad break-up decides to “settle” for an arranged marriage. Thanks to her aunt (Grusha Kapoor in a standout role), a matchmaker, she meets a few prospective grooms—oddballs with weird ideas about marriage (one even has his mom on video call secretly monitoring his date with Riya!). But here's the twist: Riya is conflicted between two men in her life—her childhood buddy Arf and a mysterious stranger Jogi (Karan Wahi). Who will she pick? The series is mostly watchable because of Gagroo—she portrays a strong, self-reliant modern woman with touching vulnerability. A fun, breezy rom com, it’s a perfect binge for a chilly December evening.
Permanent Roommates: Season 3 (Hindi)
Amazon Prime Video
For those who have been following the adventures of the adorable live-in lovers, Mikesh (Sumeet Vyas) and Tanya (Nidhi Singh), this third installment rounds off their riotous love story perfectly. The third season is being aired after a gap of almost seven years, and it’s well worth the wait. The story starts off on a somber note. Tanya and Mikesh decide to get married when they find out that she is pregnant. She suffers a miscarriage, unfortunately, and they have to cope with the aftermath of this tragedy. As they try to get their relationship back on track, Tanya feels stagnated and wants to move abroad (Canada!) but Mikesh is content with the status quo. Meanwhile, Mikesh’s mom (Sheeba Chaddha) is also coping with the loss of her husband and finds a friend and potentially a romantic partner in a neighbour (Sachin Pilgaonkar). Tanya’s father as well, after the demise of his wife, finds companionship with his sister-in-law, making matters awkward. Vyas and Singh are top notch as the in-love couple who bicker and cuddle with equal gusto. You root for Mikesh and Tanya and hope they can make it till the very end. Seasons 1 and 2 are also available on Prime Video. Be sure to watch it.
Thiruchitrambalam (Tamil)
Amazon Prime Video
We round off the year with one of the sweetest love stories in recent times. Thiruchitrambalam Jr. (Dhanush), called Pazham (meaning “fruit” in Tamil) by one and all, is a food delivery agent who shares a home with his stern father (Prakash Raj) and Thiruchitrambalam Sr. (Bharatiraja), his doting grandfather. His relationship with his father sours after he blames him for his mother’s death. The grandfather tries to maintain the peace while Thiru’s best friend, Shobana (the always delightful Nithya Menen), is his sounding board and unofficial matchmaker. They are best friends and a source of strength and support in the toughest of times. Then Thiru Jr. falls for his childhood crush, Anusha (Raashii Khanna), but his affections remain unrequited. After another failed romance, things take a turn and Thiru Jr begins to envision Shobana as more than just a friend. Will their friendship survive this complication, or will it culminate in romantic bliss for both of them? Dhanush and Nithya share an electric chemistry. The supporting cast is just as effective. Bharatiraja is a hoot with his one-liners in English. A sweet, simple story of finding love, companionship, and fulfillment in one’s familial relationships, this one is special.
Baisakhi Roy is a culture writer and journalist based in Ontario, Canada. Her work has appeared in The Globe and Mail, Huffington Post Canada, Chatelaine, Broadview and CBC. Formerly a reporter with The Indian Express in India, Roy is an avid Bollywood fan and co-hosts the Hindi language podcast KhabardaarPodcast.com. Email: baisakhi.roy@gmail.com
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