Prime Video’s crime drama Paatal Lok Season 1 was first released in 2020. The real crime here is that Season 2 has dropped five years later. The amount of content that viewers are consuming makes it difficult to remember and stay connected to the series for half a decade, even when it’s a landmark one like Paatal Lok. The good news is you don’t need a recap – for two reasons. One, even though the storyline may be hazy in your mind, the characters are still fresh (hallmark of great writing and storytelling). And two, because Season 1 and Season 2 are two different cases, with just the same cops that lured you into their world, five years ago.
Jaideep Ahlawat returns as Hathiram Chaudhary, and Ishwak Singh as Imran Ansari. Imran, who was Hathiram’s trainee, is now his senior. The equation has changed. As does the setting – a large part of the series is set in Nagaland. Fresh cast members include Nagesh Kukunoor, Tillotama Shome and legendary Assamese film director Jahnu Barua.
A gripping narrative that’s chillingly believable
With eight episodes, Season 2 of Paatal Lok is a compelling piece of work, created by Sudip Sharma and directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware. It is a riveting and absorbing drama that is chillingly believable. The plot is thicker with emotional drama, courtesy the changed dynamics, with lots of realistic action scenes. What makes this series with brooding anguish addictive, is good, solid material that manages to avoid the usual tropes of the genre. Even when it can’t, the plot is presented in a way that displays respect for the viewers. That helps elevate the series to another level.
An interconnected plot with underlying threat at all times
The plot is so interconnected and takes you into so many places and characters that it’s impossible to tell you in a nutshell. However, let me try. It begins with Hathiram’s hunt for a missing immigrant worker. Alongside Imran, he lands up with the high-profile case of the murder of a Nagaland minister who is in Delhi for a business summit. It soon becomes clear that the two cases are linked, and Imran, after failed attempts, manages to convince his superiors to bring Hathiram into the case and both land up in Nagaland. There is an underlying threat at all times, as our two boys are put into this alien and hostile surrounding.
Tension and twists in every episode
In film and TV parlance, the halfway mark, or the interval point, is crucial. And Paatal Lok serves up a much-needed jolt of energy with a devastating twist. I needed to close my laptop and take a breather, to cope. The writers: Sudip Sharma, Abhishek Bhanerjee, Rahul Kanojia and Tamal Sen also ratchet up the tension with every episode. The missing man’s case also becomes a missing girl’s case, leading up to a drug money angle, corruption and a summit that will bring ₹20,000 crore for the development of the state from the center. The series is packed with suspenseful and heart-stopping moments. The escape from the hospital scene is nerve-racking, while the subtle humour of Hathiram’s brother-in-law and his A/C car are a constant source of humour.
A raw, realistic portrayal of cop life
There have been many movies and shows set in the cop universe. But this haunting crime drama elevates the familiar dynamic to a new level. It is a sharp, gripping look into the world of cops, not the glossed-over version with stylish action and fight sequences where the super-cop beats two dozen people without breaking a sweat or catching his breath. Hathiram does get battered and bruised on duty, and the same happens to his ego at home. His awkward friendship with Imran unfolds beautifully. Their quiet trust and the mutual respect for each other is nicely explored. The series also takes time to measure the effects of Hathiram’s job on his marriage and his state of mind. The side drama is the sauce.
The performances are great but Jaideep Ahlawat seems to be rising to the challenge of revealing previously unrealised aspects of his character. The cast was gifted a wonderful script to display their potential. Paatal Lok qualifies as a must-see, even for those of you who might be suffering from serial crime fatigue. Among returning seasons of promising shows, this one should be on your list.
Pataal Lok Season 2 is now available to watch on Prime Video, which is a part of your Prime membership.
