CAT - Infiltrati

I binged watched this over the weekend and I enjoyed it.

It's not a bad drama but unlike some of the reviewers here some gave it 10/10 some gave it 1/10 I would say its above average about 6 or 7/10.

Considering the main character was a informer for the police you would expect when he would meet his police handler it would be in a secret place rather than an open area having tea together where anyone could see them. Also there would only be one police handler which would be secretive but in this case there was several.. It's small details like this which I felt let the drama down, but overall I would recommend it and I'm looking forward to series 2.

Another good one by Netflix. It initially starts slow but story picks up midway. The back and forth moving screenplay perfectly unfolds the story and establishes characters, their morality and motives. I watched entire series in Punjabi and it is best seen that way rather than dubbed Hindi version. After a very long time watched a very well written webseries. All performances are top notch and Randeep Hooda my god! What a powerful performer. He portrays immense emotions through even simple actions like cleaning floor and tying turban. He is a gem of an actor and Netflix has capitalized very well on it. Can't wait for next season.

A reuctant spy being used as a pawn by people more powerful and ambitious than him is a concept that is not new to cinema. CAT, the new Netflix show, takes this age-old formula and yet, manages to make it fresh and gripping through an eight-episode arc. The show can be described as Netflix's first Punjabi original (it is almost bilingual with the dialogue shuffling between Punjabi and Hindi). And that is not the only thing novel about the series, which uses Randeep's talents fabulously. Randeep is in top form as Gurnaam, the man who enters the show as a reluctant family man and by the end, goes through a Walter White-like transformation into a hardened, scheming killing machine. But the real star of the show is veteran Punjabi actor Suvinder Vicky, who plays Gurnaam's handler, the scheming cop who only has his own interests at heart. His dynamic role gives the actor scope and he brings out a delicious performance, showcasing ambition, jealousy, and lust for power quite effortlessly. Former Miss India Hasleen Kaur's transformation into a de-glam lower middle-class cop deserves mention. It is bold of an actor coming from her background to opt for a role like this and then takes talent to pull it off like she does.

After a long time, Netflix has come with a series which is close to the level of Sacred Games. Barring last two episodes which I couldn't fully digest (which failed to bring everything well together).. the series is brilliantly made.

What's good?

The screenplay is quite tightly written and keeps you hooked throughout. Acting overall is superb. Randeep Hooda especially does an amazing job and gives a fantastic performance. Casting has been great and the supporting actors also play their roles quite effectively. I really enjoyed some plot twists and they have me goosebumps.

Some scenes are so gruesome and shot very well. Amazed with the cinematography.

What could have been better?

Ending was okay but I couldn't digest it properly. They over did certain things. Could have kept it simple as there was no need for shock value towards the end.

Ironically, CAT the term refreshes the dark & haunting yet gritty memories right off the days of insurgency hit Punjab, which in itself is a far intriguing & sensitising subject to narrate on screen. As far as this series is concerned, whils the title seemed to make sense in the first episode, the plot afterwards is apparently based on the present context of narcotic drugs problem in the state. Ranbir hooda has put in all & done a super awesome job playing the role of a common punjabi/sikh gentleman with utmost perfection. Although a few characters like Madam Aulukh or Pradhan Gaggi sounded a bit off the track, this won't make much difference to non-punjabi audience. Overall its a well directed & gripping drama which'd certainly keep the viewers engaged & at times, at the edges. I'll certainly be looking forward to watch another couple of seasons if the makers have more meat to show on screen.