Shehar Lakhot

Alright, let's dive into Shehar Lakhot, a Hindi neo-noir thriller directed by Navdeep Singh, the bloke behind the cult classic Manorama Six Feet Under and the gritty NH10. Singh's knack for crafting tense, atmospheric crime dramas set in India's dusty heartlands is evident, but this series doesn't quite hit the highs of his earlier work.

Set in the fictional Rajasthan town of Lakhot, this eight-episode series follows Dev (Priyanshu Painyuli), a brooding fixer dragged back to his hometown, only to get tangled in a web of crime, betrayal, and murky politics. The vibe? Think Chinatown meets Rajasthan's marble mines, with a dash of dark humour.

The cast is the real gem here. Painyuli nails Dev's shambolic charm, carrying the weight of a haunted past with ease. Chandan Roy Sanyal as the slimy Kairav Singh steals every scene, oozing menace and wit, while Kubbra Sait's tenacious cop Pallavi adds grit. Shruthy Menon and the unhinged twins (Manjiri Pupala and Sanjay Shiv Narayan) round out a stellar ensemble.

But the pacing? Oh, mate, it's a slog at times. The narrative sprawls with subplots (some gripping, others bloated) making episodes feel overstretched, especially with those hour-long runtimes. By episode five, it picks up, delivering twists that keep you hooked, but the slow-burn start tests your patience.

Visually, it's atmospheric, though Singh could've leaned harder into Rajasthan's stark beauty. The dialogue's sharp, if a tad coarse. Not Singh's finest, but Shehar Lakhot is a solid watch for neo-noir fans who don't mind a bumpy ride.

7/10.

Shehar Lakhot, set in a fictional town, has intrigue, plot twists and turns, small-town politics and gritty characters that keep you riveted and at the edge of your seat until the conclusion.

What stood out for me were the convincing performances, especially by Priyanshu Painyuli, who plays the unlucky but endearing Dev Tomar, Chandan Roy Sanyal who plays the menacing Kairav Singh, Kubbra Sait as earnest SI Pallavi Raj trying to do her job against all odds and Manu Rishi Chadha as the creepy, corrupt SHO. Manjiri Pupala as the unhinged, trigger- happy villain's sidekick Bhi, was brilliant and fun to watch.

The writing is clever and keeps you engaged. The plot twists are unpredictable and leave you wanting more. I enjoyed watching this show immensely.

Do not let the negative reviews fool you into not watching this masterpiece. For those coming from dysfunctional homes, who have had aspirations and dreams in their childhood, this movie hits home hard.

There not a single flaw that I can find in the plot. The first two episodes may seem a bit of a drag but you end up realising that they were necessary to set tone and introduce characters.

Almost all actors have lived the characters they played, with the male lead and the quirky villain's side-kick Bhi, taking a leaf out of golden chops book.

The entire police, government and business nexus is shown wonderfully. Decadence in society, insecurities of the younger brother, women's dilemmas and the yearn for freedom is portrayed wonderfully in small video bites, where expressions, actings and settings say more than words can portray. The dark ambience of the entire series gives it a 'morose home town' vibe, which is apt for a plot like this.

Do not miss this for the world! It's wonderfully shot and presented, and the story and characters will stay with you for a long time after you've completed the series.

"Shehar Lakhot" is a captivating series set in a marble mining town, revolving around the character of Dev Tomar. After a decade away, Dev returns to his hometown of Lakhot, only to find himself in the midst of a power struggle and rampant corruption. The death of his brother drags him deeper into a web of criminal activities.

Priyanshu Painyuli's portrayal of Dev is noteworthy, bringing a relatable moral compass to the character that makes him easy to root for. The series boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Chandan Roy Sanyal and Manu Rishi Chadha, who bring depth and entertainment to their roles. Kubbra Sait and Shruthy Menon also deliver compelling performances, contributing to the rich tapestry of characters that make the series engaging.

The narrative is skillfully written, blending exhilarating plot developments with stellar scriptwriting, including witty dialogues and humorous elements. The series also features beautiful locations, with the marble architecture of Kairav's residence and hotel standing out.

While the series is praised for its unpredictable narrative and exceptional character work, it does have some drawbacks. The pacing can be slow, and some narrative threads feel overstuffed. Additionally, the representation of homosexuality in the series has been criticized for being weak and used more as a plot device rather than an integral part of character identities.

Overall, "Shehar Lakhot" emerges as a strong and enjoyable thriller, despite some issues with episode length and narrative complexity. Its engaging story and strong character portrayals make it a series worth watching over time.

The first 3-4 episodes are very slow, they feel very dragged and it is hard to be invested as the series doesn't make it apparent as to what it is actually about. The show could have definitely been shortened. It is not super unique but definitely worth a watch. The different storylines and characters seem random at first, and there is no real crime or crisis for viewers to care about.

It gradually becomes more engaging as the real plot uncovers. The characters are quite interesting, but tragic. It's a very hopeless melancholic story but with lighthearted, real and funny moments in between which feels refreshing.