Story:
The story of Bahishkarana is set in the late 1990s in a small village called Peddapalli. The village chief, Sivayya (Ravindra Vijay), poses as a good man with values in public, but he is a womanizer and casteist who strives for power. Darshi (Sritej) works for Sivayya and respects him a lot. One day, a courtesan named Pushpa (Anjali) arrives in the village and becomes Sivayya’s mistress. Darshi is tasked with looking after Pushpa, and despite his initial hatred for her, he falls in love with her and decides to marry her. Sivayya then plans things in such a way that Darshi gets married to another girl and is also falsely accused in a murder case. How does Pushpa lead her life without Darshi? What role does Darshi’s wife, Lakshmi (Ananya Nagalla), play in all of this? What ultimately happens to Sivayya? Viewers must tune in to the six-episode series on Zee 5 to uncover the answers.
Performances:
Anjali takes charge and portrays a daring character for the first time in her career. As Pushpa, she captivates the viewers. Her dialogue delivery, on-screen charisma, and performance are exceptional and do not exude any inappropriate undertones, despite Anjali’s portrayal of a sex worker in the movie. Bahishkarana showcases one of her most refined performances in recent years.
Sritej, who impressed with his natural talent and excellent screen presence in his earlier works, delivers a remarkable performance as Darshi. The actor portrays his rugged appearance and ability to contain his emotions before unleashing them at the climax. The casting of Bahishkarana is exceptional, particularly with Ravindra Vijay’s portrayal of Sivayya, adding depth and darkness to the series as a womanizer who conceals his true nature. Ananya Nagalla continues to impress with each project, shining in Bahishkarana with a significant role that showcases her transformation in the later episodes. The ensemble cast excels in their respective roles, contributing to the overall excellence of the series.
Analysis:
Bahishkarana is a web series that delves into the issues surrounding influential individuals in small villages who exploit the poor for their own gain. Written and directed by Mukesh Prajapathi, the series stars Anjali, Ravindra Vijay, and Sritej in lead roles. What immediately captures the viewer’s attention is the production design and overall setting of the series. The period backdrop and dark theme are executed exceptionally well. Mukesh, the director, has crafted strong characters and delves into their intricacies. The first episode sets the stage with all the crime elements, making it quite engaging. It’s in the second episode that the narrative delves into flashbacks, unraveling the journey of each character. Bahishkarana is an adult drama that is both straightforward and contains a few surprises. However, what truly keeps us hooked till the end is the gripping drama that Mukesh skillfully builds up, with each character’s development making us feel more connected to the story.
Positives:
The series excels in its well-defined characters, each serving a distinct purpose. The director’s ability to draw out exceptional performances from the cast is truly remarkable. Bahishkarana is characterized by a small cast delivering outstanding performances. The romantic relationship between Pushpa and Darshi feels natural and not forced. The emotions are portrayed effortlessly, depicting the gradual attraction between the two characters. Additionally, including the hero’s friend adds depth to the storyline. The inner turmoil of Darshi, Pushpa, and Lakshmi when they face unexpected and life-changing moments is shown very well.
Negatives:
Bahishkarana’s major flaw is its predictability. Despite a few unexpected turns, the series is still quite easy to anticipate. The director could have incorporated more backstories to add depth, as the series follows a single narrative. Despite having only six episodes, it gives the impression of a lengthy viewing experience.
Rating: 3/5
Last Line: Bahishkarana – A Regular but Engaging Series
