Grahan

SP Amrita Kaur (aka Amu, Zoya Hussain) is disillusioned by her humdrum Ranchi Police job, the lack of challenges and indifferent supervisors. She lives with her father Gursewak Singh (Pawan Raj Malhotra) who is a doting dad to the motherless Amu. Gursewak speaks little, but understands his daughter's dilemma. And one fine day, a Special Investigation Team is set up by the Jharkhand Government and Amu is made the team laid to research and submit a report on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that rocked Bokaro, just a hundred kilometres away. Amu realises that it's not going to be easy because of the vintage of the case and believes that most of those who were impacted by the riots or those who were behind them, may no longer be alive. Albeit, she takes it up as a challenge, and almost against the advice of Gursewak, a staunch Sikh himself, sets out to do her best.

But the facts of the anti-Sikh riots in Bokaro are indeed shrouded in mystery, lack of evidence and unwillingness of people to speak up. On top of that, Amu is herself quite intrigued by a character from 1984, Rishi Ranjan, who she quickly discovers, was the leader of the carnage from photographs available. Here starts her problems - political and administrative pressures commence to pile up against her as she digs into the history and every time she starts working on a lead, things go out of control. Yet, she realises that the case has something to do with her family and as if out of a dream, chances to meet her mother in Bokaro, who Gursewak had told her that she had died when Amu was very young. From here on, Amu gets embroiled in a severe conflict of interest as a fact explodes on her face like a bomb. Whether she is able to find out who Rishi Ranjan was, what is the connection of the case to her family and if she is able to come clean of the blemish on her reputation is the crux of Grahan.

Grahan is not meant to be a documentary that researches and prepares a white paper on the anti-Sikh riots in Bokaro or for that matter anywhere. As such, it may leave viewers with certain expectations disgruntled, like Vidhu Vinod Chopra's "Shikara". Grahan is a drama about human values, sacrifices and a love sublime, quite reminiscent of Yash Chopra's "Veer Zaara". But that politicians and powerful people could rake up communal disharmony through riots to fulfil their own aspirations using religion as a divisuve tool, has been depicted in graphic details in Grahan. Pawan Raj Malhotra as Gursewak Singh delivers an understated yet indelible performance despite his limited screen time. Zoya Hussain is powerful in her essay of an individual torn between professional and personal demands of the case. But Anshuman Pushkar as Rishi Ranjan is downright delightful and credible and is aptly complemented by Wamiqa Gabbi as Manu Chhabra. Teekam Joshi as Sanjay Singh is sophisticated and poised in his demonic aspirations. Grahan is marked by some superlative performances, undoubtedly. Amit Trivedi's music is yet another asset of the series, unending its aesthetic appeal of this unmissable series helmed by Ranjan Chandel.

Loved the way the OTT platform is coming up with some great web series. Grahan web series is one of them. It has a superb story, screenplay, direction, acting, camera work and great music. It is quite an engaging story with background music which makes it more interesting.

Inspired by Satya Vyas' fictional novel "Chaurasi", the series "Grahan" is heart wrenching and spine chilling depiction of how brutal is brutal, unfolding two timelines - Ranchi 2016 and Bokaro 1984 and events of violence following the assassination of the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi on 31 October, 1984. Therein is a clear portrayal of how riots are provoked, how venom of hatred spewed by one person for self interest can blindfoldly turn people into mobs to walk on the road of vandalism. The horror, shadows of the carnage and violence of Bokaro Riots (1984) which blackened lives and aspirations of the Steel City. Without much spice this series has shown how people are fooled, instigated and driven towards hatred and violence by politicians and petty leaders, how neighborhoods, mohallahs, towns and villages thriving with diversity of people turn against each other.

It's cast Pavan Raj Malhotra, Anshuman Pushkar, Teekam Joshi, Wamiqa Gabbi, Sahidur Rahaman are apt in their characters. Zoya Hussain like always carrying her almost no make up approach since her debut film (Mukkabaaz) is organic in the role of the Investigating Officer. Amit Trivedi's music and Varun Grover's lyrics especially "Chori Chori" have made the series wholesome.

Through his investigations, freelance journalist Santosh Jaiswal comes across a communal riot conspiracy. But before he could share the details with anyone, he got murdered. In 2016, the CM forms SIT to investigate the 1984 Bokaro Anti-Sikh riots. SP City Amrita Singh, who leads the SIT came across a photograph of one of the rioters and she recognizes the man in the photograph as his father Gurusevak. Gurudeva refuses to disclose anything about the photograph and his past. In search of truth, Amrita goes to Bokaro with the SIT, and the pages of the past start to unwind. And so does questions - Who was Rishi Ranjan, who led the violent mob in 1984? Who was Manu? Who was Pragya? Who was Saini? Who were Guru, Jhandu, and Chhabra ji? What was the role of Chunnu in the infamous Sikh genocide that swept Bokaro? And the most important and relevant question - why the people who used to stay together turned into blood-thirsty devils?

Inspired from Satya Vyas' novel "Chaurasi", this 8-episode series "Grahan" switches between two time periods - Ranchi 2016 and Bokaro 1984. The team behind the story-screenplay of Grahan - Anu Singh Chaudhary, Navjot Gulati, Vibha Singh, Prateek Payodhi, Ranjan Chandel, and Shailendra Kumar Jha has done a commendable job. Despite making many additions and changes in the story, the writing team has succeeded in retaining the soul of the original novel "Chaurasi".

Anshuman Pushkar and Wamika Gabbi have lived the characters of Rishi and Manu respectively. Zoya Hasan as Amrita Singh and Teekam Joshi as Sanjay Singh have been quite impressive. Whatsoever small role it was, every actor has done his part effectively, be it Raj Sharma (Saini), be it Sahidur Rahman (DSP Vikas Mandal), be it Satyakam Anand (Kedar Bhagat), or be it Saharsh Shukla (Guru). Last, but not least, Pawan Malhotra was the top performer. While portraying Gurusevak, who remains silent most of the time, Pawan Malhotra has acted wonderfully through his eyes and facial expressions. It is one of his finest performances.

Varun Grover's lyrics are beautiful and Amit Trivedi's melodious music does wonders, like always. "Jogiya", "Chori Chori" and "Main Hoon Teri Parchhai" (penned and sung by Swanand Kirkire) stays with you for long. The background music also suits the theme. The cinematography is OK, but the Editing was under par. The direction was superb. The production design is also among the highlights of the series.

Grahan is a must-watch. Go for it.

Please make season 2 Outstanding cinematography Outstanding acting by Rishi & manu in 1980 Outstanding acting by Amrita Singh Outstanding Background music + music Outstanding acting by all actors.