Rudra Review: Ajay Devgn starrer is high on nail-biting suspense but lacks pace

Series: Rudra The Edge of Darkness

Director: Rajesh Mapuskar

Cast: Ajay Devgn, Esha Deol, Raashi Khanna, Atul Kulkarni, Ashwini Kalsekar

Bollywood Bubble Rating: 3.5

Ajay Devgn has made a smashing debut on OTT and how with Rudra: The Edge of Darkness. Apprehensions were quite evident when the news of a Luther remake was announced, but Ajay Devgn has just nailed the role to the T. Ajay Devgn stepped into the shoes of Edris Elba where he is seen as a badass urbanised version of his much loved role Singham. The series begins with a mysterious chase between Rudra and a criminal while his team tries to find the victim who is a young girl. We see Ajay in a fearless avatar lurking or better yet ‘searching’ for something in the dark shadows. Later, he is welcomed back by Commissioner Deepali Handa as DCP after his vacation. Deepali is a no nonsense cop who understands Rudra’s unusual ways of solving cases but also looks for a backing of hard facts. Further we witness a mysterious call from Aliyah Choksi (Raashi Khanna) to the police about her parents’ murder. Later it is unveiled that Rudra has got a clean chit after almost being suspended in a case. While he is considered an asset, most see him as a liability. Meanwhile, Aliyah is a child prodigy who is doing clinical research on a special mission.

 

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Rudra is quite beautifully woven together when it comes to different plotlines. But they can be a bit of a drag. We also get to see a glimpse of Rudra and his wife Shaila’s (Esha Deol) relationship which seems to have broken to pieces. Shaila seems to be dragged into the dark world of Rudra’s profession in many ways than one and she was more than done with him as Shaila has found a new ‘someone special’. The scene where Shaila tells Rudra that she has met someone will break your heart seeing Rudra’s reaction. This is also where we see Ajay Devgn’s brilliant acting at it’s best as his minimal reaction screamed the big emotion of a heartbreak.

Rudra is backed by a strong knit team of Atul Kulkarni, Ashwini Kalsekar Ashish Vidyarthi, Tarun Gahlot and others. Atul Kulkarni plays the strong support of Rudra and is always reading in between the lines of what his DCP is actually trying to say. With a calm demeanor and a stern perspective, his character sure is gravitating.

The chemistry between Ajay and Raashii is palpalble. Their slow burn flirting sure is seen throughout the series and it sure does keep you on your toes. Rudra is more urabnised than Luther’s first season and it is a fresh take on your usual crime series. While the show is spread across only 6 episodes, sometimes your just left thinking when will things pickup pace but the suspense only makes the wait worth it. But, a special mention has to go to the baddies of Rudra, who really put the life in the series. KC Shankar, Hemant Kher, Luke Kenny sure were creepy but they sure did put up a stellar performance. While Luther was loud in the British series, Ajay as Rudra was seen calm and suave.

 

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All in all, it is a more then brilliant debut for Ajay on OTT with Rudra. If you can overlook the pace; which was just a personal preferce for me, the show should make it to your must watch list.

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