Shehar Lakhot

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.

"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.

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.

Anwar Says: Navdeep Singh has two accredited movies to his belt, NH 10 and Manorma Six feel under but on OTT debut , he has chosen same repetitive story , one small town , one powerful gangster , corrupt police , one protagonist , kind of true love , lot of violence and abusive language . How many times you would eat the same Biryani in different utensils . Even for keeping the interest alive the pace should be good but with myriad characters and too many stories going together , you miss the track and sometimes you feel need to rewind .

Priyanshu as Dev and Kabbra Sait as SI Pallavi played some bizarre characters but ultimately look real . The character really shines is Chandan Roy Sanyal as as Kairav , highly manipulative and fearless and everyone is bound to succumb before him. Others have also played their roles honestly . Background of Rajasthan was not exploited by the cinematographer and Navdeep couldn't resist himself and added some not so relevant songs.

Overall hardly anything new , extremely dark in every sense ( minimum use of lights), very long episodes , so watch if you have lot of time and nothing else to do.

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Watching the first episode and it's trying too hard to be quirky but the story isn't going anywhere. Too slow and boring. The first episode has the younger son returning to a small town and going around from place to place doing nothing in particular. One character breaks a guy's hand and 2 scenes later another character, acting over the top, kills an injured dog. The fat cop keeps on pulling his crotch in every scene and bows down on front of the dog killer. What are these scenes? Is this the best that can be done to introduce characters? Why and how such shows are greenlight, I wonder. They think violence, nasty and brooding characters, abuses is creativity. EDGY is the word used in the industry. Unfortunately they are wrong. They are all rejected film scripts turned into bad webseries.