Mumbai Diaries 2 REVIEW: Nikkhil Advani delivers an engaging story of the 26th July incident, Mohit Raina and Parambrata Chatterjee are top notch

Film:
Mumbai Diaries Season 2

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Director: Nikkhil Advani

Episodes/ runtime: 8 episodes (40-50 mins)

Star cast: Mohit Raina, Konkana Sen Sharma, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Natasha Bhardwaj, Satyajeet Dubey, Mrunmayee Deshpande, Tina Desai, Prakash Belawadi, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ridhi Dogra, Balaji Gauri, Sonali Kulkarni.

Mumbai Diaries Season 2 review

Nikkhil Advani brings the second season of Mumbai Diaries and this time, he narrates the story of 26th July. We all have seen many movies and series focusing on 26/11; however, it is the medical side that we have never seen during such events. I liked how Nikkhil chose to narrate that aspect of the incident. Well, now, we saw the medical department’s story during the Mumbai floods in Mumbai Diaries season 2. From multiple accidents to their personal life issues, Nikkhil tries to touch upon every aspect of the situation. It is also based on a one-day incident which has been distributed in 8 episodes with a runtime of 40-50 mins each.

Story:

Set in 2009, during the tragic day in Mumbai, July 26, Mumbai Diaries Season 2 once again takes us through the Emergency Room of a government hospital. After the dreadful incident of 26/11, the doctors and medical staff of Bombay General Hospital faced another challenge: the Mumbai floods. The series explores the challenges faced by the medical staff at the hospital and other first responders across the city of Mumbai in dealing with a crisis of immense magnitude. In this battle to save lives and heal others, the ones fixing are the most broken. While some are still coping with the past trauma, there are some who are facing new traumas in life. It shows how Dr. Oberoi is struggling with his case in court while his trainees have their own share of meltdowns.

What’s best about Mumbai Diaries 2

The strong screenplay: The story is the true star of the series I feel. As I have mentioned, it is a one-day incident and Nikkhil narrates the story effectively. I personally liked the scenes that were shot outside the hospital including the car accident and how people struggled during the heavy rains. Like the previous season, Nikkhil also focuses on how people were heavily injured due to floods.

Highlighting other issues:

Mohit Raina in Mumbai Diaries Season 2 poster

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Image source: Mohit Raina Instagram

What didn’t work for Mumbai Diaries 2

Focuses more on other subplots: When I say on another subplot or another story, I feel it was not required. It didn’t feel like that added story needed to be there in the plot. Not to give away a lot but there was a story on homosexuality and sexual harassment which seemed to have only stretched the main plot. I feel they could have been easily edited as they don’t contribute anything to Mumbai Floods.

Addition of love triangle: Another thing I feel that could have been avoided is the brewing love or should I say likeness between Dr. Chitra and Ahaan. Somewhere, I felt it was unnecessary. In fact, the tension between Chitra, Ahaan and Saurav also felt like a daily soap scene. Yes, I can understand the need for that angle to some extent; however, I felt it was a bit stretched.

Star performance

Mohit Raina is the star of Mumbai Diaries by all means. From being a heartless head of the Trauma department to becoming an understanding surgeon, his character has grown over two seasons. You will see how the character has matured and it is endearing to watch him that way. Mohit has done a fantastic job with his character and I honestly loved him in the series. He shines in the emotional parts and has completely left me amused with his stellar performance.

Konkana Sen Sharma is another prolific actor in this ensemble cast. From being a naive and vulnerable doctor Chitra, she has emerged to be a strong woman. I got to know more about Dr. Chitra this time and her disturbing rather traumatising past. In the first season, we just knew that she had a rough past, now, it takes us through her past. Konkana is just terrific on her part and you will feel for her.

Shreya Dhanwanthary also shines in her part and has done a great job by playing a snobbish journalist. To be honest, in 26/11, I hated her character and somewhere I had the same feeling in the second season as well. However, her character becomes bearable after a few episodes. However, she is great in the series.

Natasha Bhardwaj plays Diya Parekh in the series and her character has evolved in the second season. She is good in some parts and will make move you in other parts. Satyajeet Dubey plays Dr. Ahaan Mirza and he does a fair job with his character. On the other hand, Mrunmayee Deshpande who plays Dr. Sujata Ajawale excels in the emotional scenes. Her eyes say a lot and manage to leave an impact. Prakash Belawadi plays the CMO of BGH and he also has delivered a great performance.

Supporting cast

Tina Desai who plays Dr. Oberoi’s wife Ananya is seen for a limited time but she does leave an impact, especially in the last episode. Ridhi Dogra, Balaji Gauri and Sonali Kulkarni have also done a fantastic job with their limited screen time. They have given great support to the story as well as other primary characters. On the other hand, Parambrata Chattopadhyay plays Dr. Saurav Chandra who is the abusive husband. Oh man, he is remarkable and I was so hooked with his performance. However, the one flaw in his performance or character would be his accent. It was annoying and fake too.

Conclusion

Concluding my Mumbai Diaries Season 2 review, Mohit Raina starrer is engaging and intriguing. If you have liked the first season, you will enjoy the second season as well. Though extra things are added to the story, the aspects of 26th July have been shown very effectively and beautifully. You will be glued to the screen as the story will amaze you in every episode. Whereas Mohit Raina and Parambrata Chatterjee steal the thunder with their terrific performances.

Watch Mumbai Diaries season 2 trailer after the review

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