sushankonar

Even though I pride myself on (and vainly brag about) the breadth of my reading, in reality it is not that broad! I spent the better part of my PhD years devouring truckloads of junk romance novels, interspersed with research articles on neutron stars (some in Cyrillic script!). Sadly, even such limited range has shrunk further with advancing age. These days what survives on my reading list (apart from pure non-fiction) are mostly crime and detection stories. Of course, the same goes for viewing..

As far as TV is concerned, there exist a good number of internationally acclaimed series in this genre. However, till very recently none were based in India. So I was very excited when Indian crime dramas debuted on web TV. Unfortunately, the excitement lasted only for a short while. I had to quickly give up on the genre for - first, their overtly political posturing and then due to an overabundance of unnecessary sex scenes and unbelievably vulgar language. At times, it looked as if the producers were trying to peddle soft porn in the guise of crime drama. The language, in particular, grated on my senses. It looked as if nobody (in India) can speak without using swear words. We have policemen in the family. While I really do not know how they behave while in uniform, but I have never seen them randomly using swear words no matter what the situation.

It is with trepidation, therefore, I sat down to watch 'Delhi Crime' which has been based on one of the most heinous crimes in recent public memory. Soon, I had to revise my opinion. The series is seriously well made. Of course, to my great relief, the makers have not peppered the series with unnecessary sex or violence or foul language. The story is smartly and expertly told, without ever descending into melodrama. An excellently neat editing has helped shed extra flab (if it had any) and kept the things just right. To the delight of the viewer, the pace never slackened.

Also, this is first time we see an Indian crime-drama narrated completely from the perspective of the police team (something like that of "Criminal Minds", a long-time favourite). Yes, they have not strictly followed the real-life development. This, I feel, have allowed them some space to highlight issues that a police investigative team faces without getting embroiled into real-life political ramifications. The only weak point, I think, is the apparent ease with which the criminals are found and apprehended. However, I have been so impressed with the overall feel, that I am simply going to ignore this shortcomings.

Finally, a world-class Indian crime-drama!

Of late, it's the women who are carrying the Bollywood movies on their slender but strong shoulders. Dipika Padukone has been doing it for awhile, others are not far behind either. The watchability of 'ae dil hai mushkil' too is totally dependent Anushka Sharma. The initial comedy and the old hit songs also helped but certainly not Karan Johar's self-proclaimed attempt at being intellectual! :( Also, what is it with the old songs? Undoubtedly, Bollywood has enough hit music to fill a whole year's worth of new movies - if one wanted to. But that's not what movie making is about, right? In any case, ADHM appears simply to be a mishmash of 'kal ho na ho' and other mush from KJo stables despite 'appearances'.

Psst.. what was all that hoopla about Fawad Khan??