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**Ray (2021) - Netflix Anthology Review (600 Words)**
*Directed by: Srijit Mukherji, Vasan Bala, Abhishek Chaubey Starring: Manoj Bajpayee, Ali Fazal, Kay Kay Menon, Harshvardhan Kapoor Genre: Drama / Thriller / Psychological Anthology*
**"Ray"** is a four-part anthology series released on Netflix in 2021, inspired by the short stories of the legendary filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray. Each episode reinterprets Ray's original stories through a modern lens, combining psychological depth with stylish storytelling. With directors like Srijit Mukherji, Abhishek Chaubey, and Vasan Bala at the helm, and a cast that includes some of India's finest talent, *Ray* is an ambitious project that partially succeeds in its attempt to reintroduce Ray's genius to a contemporary audience.
The four episodes-**"Forget Me Not," "Bahrupiya," "Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa,"** and **"Spotlight"**-each explore a different human flaw, such as ego, identity, guilt, and obsession. They are united by a common theme: the fragility of human nature and the duality of man. Let's break down the episodes briefly:
**1. Forget Me Not (Dir. Srijit Mukherji)** Starring Ali Fazal as Ipsit Rama Nair, a tech tycoon with a photographic memory, this psychological thriller explores how memory, arrogance, and self-perception can distort reality. As Ipsit begins to lose control of his mind and past, the narrative delves into his unraveling psyche. Fazal delivers a strong performance, and the concept is intriguing, but the episode suffers from uneven pacing and a somewhat predictable twist. Still, it sets a dark, cerebral tone for the anthology.
**2. Bahrupiya (Dir. Srijit Mukherji)** This is arguably the darkest and most unsettling episode. It follows Indrashish (Kay Kay Menon), a meek man with a passion for prosthetic makeup, who descends into madness after discovering a tool for transformation. Menon is exceptional, portraying a man consumed by power and revenge. The episode flirts with themes of god complex and identity, and while the narrative is twisted and slightly exaggerated, its impact lingers. The horror-thriller style works well here.
**3. Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa (Dir. Abhishek Chaubey)** This episode stands out for its poetic storytelling and light, whimsical tone. Manoj Bajpayee plays Musafir Ali, a celebrated ghazal singer with a kleptomaniac past, who meets a man (Gajraj Rao) from his past on a train journey. The story plays out like a fable, full of charm and subtle humor, with graceful performances from both leads. The cinematography and old-world feel make this a refreshing break from the intensity of the other segments.
**4. Spotlight (Dir. Vasan Bala)** Starring Harshvardhan Kapoor as Vik, a self-obsessed film star struggling with insecurity when a spiritual guru outshines him, this episode mixes satire with surrealism. It's a quirky take on fame, identity, and celebrity culture. While Kapoor fits the role of a narcissistic star well, the episode feels thematically scattered and underdeveloped compared to others. It's bold in style but less effective in emotional depth.
From a technical standpoint, *Ray* is beautifully shot, with each episode having a distinct visual style. The cinematography, set designs, and music complement the varied tones of the stories. The series shines brightest in its performances-Bajpayee and Menon are particularly compelling, with nuanced portrayals that elevate their episodes. The writing is sharp in parts but inconsistent across episodes, with some plots feeling stretched or oversimplified.
What *Ray* does successfully is reintroduce Satyajit Ray's themes to a new generation, though not always with the subtlety or brilliance of the original stories. It modernizes Ray's tales, sometimes at the cost of depth, but offers a unique blend of storytelling rarely seen in Indian OTT content.
**Verdict:** *Ray* is an intriguing anthology that celebrates the genius of Satyajit Ray through modern retellings. While not all stories hit the mark equally, the series is worth watching for its performances, themes, and ambition. It's a mixed bag-but a daring one.
**Rating:** 3.5/5.
*Directed by: Srijit Mukherji, Vasan Bala, Abhishek Chaubey Starring: Manoj Bajpayee, Ali Fazal, Kay Kay Menon, Harshvardhan Kapoor Genre: Drama / Thriller / Psychological Anthology*
**"Ray"** is a four-part anthology series released on Netflix in 2021, inspired by the short stories of the legendary filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray. Each episode reinterprets Ray's original stories through a modern lens, combining psychological depth with stylish storytelling. With directors like Srijit Mukherji, Abhishek Chaubey, and Vasan Bala at the helm, and a cast that includes some of India's finest talent, *Ray* is an ambitious project that partially succeeds in its attempt to reintroduce Ray's genius to a contemporary audience.
The four episodes-**"Forget Me Not," "Bahrupiya," "Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa,"** and **"Spotlight"**-each explore a different human flaw, such as ego, identity, guilt, and obsession. They are united by a common theme: the fragility of human nature and the duality of man. Let's break down the episodes briefly:
**1. Forget Me Not (Dir. Srijit Mukherji)** Starring Ali Fazal as Ipsit Rama Nair, a tech tycoon with a photographic memory, this psychological thriller explores how memory, arrogance, and self-perception can distort reality. As Ipsit begins to lose control of his mind and past, the narrative delves into his unraveling psyche. Fazal delivers a strong performance, and the concept is intriguing, but the episode suffers from uneven pacing and a somewhat predictable twist. Still, it sets a dark, cerebral tone for the anthology.
**2. Bahrupiya (Dir. Srijit Mukherji)** This is arguably the darkest and most unsettling episode. It follows Indrashish (Kay Kay Menon), a meek man with a passion for prosthetic makeup, who descends into madness after discovering a tool for transformation. Menon is exceptional, portraying a man consumed by power and revenge. The episode flirts with themes of god complex and identity, and while the narrative is twisted and slightly exaggerated, its impact lingers. The horror-thriller style works well here.
**3. Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa (Dir. Abhishek Chaubey)** This episode stands out for its poetic storytelling and light, whimsical tone. Manoj Bajpayee plays Musafir Ali, a celebrated ghazal singer with a kleptomaniac past, who meets a man (Gajraj Rao) from his past on a train journey. The story plays out like a fable, full of charm and subtle humor, with graceful performances from both leads. The cinematography and old-world feel make this a refreshing break from the intensity of the other segments.
**4. Spotlight (Dir. Vasan Bala)** Starring Harshvardhan Kapoor as Vik, a self-obsessed film star struggling with insecurity when a spiritual guru outshines him, this episode mixes satire with surrealism. It's a quirky take on fame, identity, and celebrity culture. While Kapoor fits the role of a narcissistic star well, the episode feels thematically scattered and underdeveloped compared to others. It's bold in style but less effective in emotional depth.
From a technical standpoint, *Ray* is beautifully shot, with each episode having a distinct visual style. The cinematography, set designs, and music complement the varied tones of the stories. The series shines brightest in its performances-Bajpayee and Menon are particularly compelling, with nuanced portrayals that elevate their episodes. The writing is sharp in parts but inconsistent across episodes, with some plots feeling stretched or oversimplified.
What *Ray* does successfully is reintroduce Satyajit Ray's themes to a new generation, though not always with the subtlety or brilliance of the original stories. It modernizes Ray's tales, sometimes at the cost of depth, but offers a unique blend of storytelling rarely seen in Indian OTT content.
**Verdict:** *Ray* is an intriguing anthology that celebrates the genius of Satyajit Ray through modern retellings. While not all stories hit the mark equally, the series is worth watching for its performances, themes, and ambition. It's a mixed bag-but a daring one.
**Rating:** 3.5/5.
- Sumanth-19
- 19 may 2025