Udta Punjab 2.0 : My quick take on web series “Kohraa” (Netflix)
In 60s there was Hindi movie released with same name, this Waheeda Rahman and Biswajeet starter murder mystery was probably the best movie in its genre, known more for some enchanting songs by Lata and alluring beauty of Waheeda Rahman and it was an adaptation of Alfred hitchcock’s Rebecca. This Kohraa is a murder mystery too and is as hazy as its name. Talented writer Sudip Sharma has pulled a rabbit out of his hat once again, mind you this IIM A graduate has few titles like Pataal lok, NH4, Udta Punjab, Phullauri, Pari to his credit.
Plot hovers around a murder of a NRI groom which happens few days before his marriage and a gora friend of his goes missing. Set in beautiful hinterland of lush green Punjab, the local police team comprising of Inspector Balvinder and his assistance Garundi are assigned to solve this case. Plot is creatively packed with many red herrings to mislead the audience to guess the killer (in my view this is case of ‘too many herrings , making the broth bland’ 😜). Best part of the writing is that, it does not limit itself with the murder mystery but it takes you deep into the human relations of various characters, it’s a good ploy to justify the title Kohrra, that every character has a shroud of Kohrra around him/her.
On performance front Savinderpal Vicky takes the cake as he plays the main cop Balwinder, so is his side kick Garundi played by Varun Sobti (he is slowly getting into shoes of Jagadish Raj and getting specialized in the role of cop) . In fact entire cast is hand picked and they fit the characters to the tee, you also find the Laggan’s gori mem Saab playing a mem Saab again.
Brilliant Cinematography, awesome background music, pristine outdoor locations makes this police procedural murder mystery plot watchable. I only wish they had revved up bit of pace and dwelled less on the side stories then this slow burn mystery solver would have become even more effective.
I loved this murder mystery which also makes you peep in the dark underbelly of Punjab and it’s challenges with drug menace.
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