Duranga Review: Gulshan Devaiah and Drashti Dhami starrer makes for an interesting watch but has minor flaws

Web Series: Duranga

Director: Pradeep Sarkar, Aijaz Khan

Star cast: Gulshan Devaiah, Drashti Dhami, Rajesh Khattar, Divya Seth, Zakir Hussain, Barkha Bisht, Abhijit Khandkekar.

Bollywood Bubble Ratings: 3/5 stars

Duranga Review: 

Note: Duranga Review does not contain any spoilers! 

An official adaptation of the Korean Show, Flower Of Evil, Duranga is created by Goldie Behl and directed by Pradeep Sarkar and Aijaz Khan. Since I have not watched the K-Drama series, this is completely new to me and must say, it indeed was an intriguing watch. For those who have not watched the original one, it keeps you hooked and will impress you with the thrills; however, if you have watched the original, it might give you an impression of why make the same product in Hindi. Nevertheless, it seems like a decent adaptation of Flower Of Evil. 

As this is the first time I’m watching it, I actually enjoyed the crime thriller but won’t say that it is one of the best thrillers I have watched to date. Even though it is a remake, Pradeep Sarkar and Aijaz Khan have Indinized the story and scenes. Duranga has a few flaws but if neglected, it puts up for a good watch. I liked how they maintained the intense as well as the suspense level till the end. You will not able to crack it until you reach the 5th or 6th episode. I liked how the makers sweetly and intelligently unfolded each character of the series while keeping Sammit’s identity confidential till the end. 

With a runtime of 30 minutes, in the last few episodes, it leaves a palpitation effect on you as the mystery gets unfolds. I was sure that this will come with the second season and much to my delight, the last episode of Duranga asserts it is going to come up with the second season. Several supporting characters have not been explored or described properly in the first season. To create the buzz and hype, the makers wanted to introduce them fittingly in the second season. 

What didn’t work for me was when the screenplay lost the essence of the genre. In some parts, I felt like the scenes or the script was loosely written as it didn’t seem persuasive. I wish they had maintained the theme of the genre throughout the series. It doesn’t offer a strong and scintillating crime thriller but you will enjoy it once you watch it.

Admits the twists and turns and lies, interestingly so, we also get to see the sweet romance between Ira and Sammit. I like how the makers didn’t go over the top and or tried to make it cliche with their romance. They made it look genuine and believable. 

 

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Story: 

A tale of antisocial person Sammit Patel who has a dark past but never lets that affect his perfect life with his wife Ira and daughter Anaya. Ira is a police officer of a crime branch and is on a mission to find a serial killer who is back after 17 years. A killer is on the loose who is murdering people just like an old serious killer. But little did she know that all the evidence and facts are leading toward the killer which has a connection to her husband Sammit. He portrays himself as a perfect husband and father, but is he the one or a perfect liar? Witness the duality that rocks Sammit and Ira’s perfect life that is marked by a dark past and a string of murders.

Star performance: 

Gulshan Devaiah plays the role of Sammit Patel/ Abhishek Banne in this crime thriller. His character is complex and has a dual personality. What meets the eye is not what it seems. Sammit is delightfully complex and has all sorts of grey. Gulshan playing a complex character is quite interesting. He seamlessly plays the two sides of Sammit. The switch between a good husband and a man with dark secrets is incredible. 

 

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Drashti Dhami essays the role of Ira Jaykar Patel, the police officer and the wife of Sammit Patel. She is headstrong but is equally soft and loveable. Seeing her from Dill Mill Gayye, Madhubala days, Drashti has grown as an actor and I’m loving to see her in such an intense character after The Empire. Though in some parts, I wasn’t buying Drashti as a cop, she did try to put up a strong presence which is commendable and impressive at the same time.

 

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The supporting cast like Rajesh Khattar as Dr. Patel, Divya Seth as Anupriya Patel, Zakir Hussain as Bala Banne, Barkha Bisht as Prachi Banne and Abhijit Khandkekar as Vikas Sarode, all have done an admirable job with their layered character. Considering the first season has ended on a cliffhanger note, we would be able to see and know more about their characters in the second season. 

Conclusion: 

Duranga is pretty intriguing and interesting. It packs a punch with all the elements that make for a thriller story which is quite engaging. From a seemingly perfect family to a hidden, twisted path and the unfolding of a series of crimes, Duranga has it all!

Watch the Duranga trailer after reading the review.

 

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Also read: Koffee with Karan Promo: Drashti Dhami pokes fun at host Karan Johar on tiff with Kangana Ranaut; Watch KJo’s answer