Ray promises a realm of cinematic paradise, thickly filled with captivating stories and unforgettable performances.
Directors: Srijit Mukherjee (Forget Me Not, Bahrupiya), Abhishek Chaubey (Hungama Kyon Hain Barapa), Vasan Bala (Spotlight)
Cast: Ali Fazal, Shruthy Menon, Shweta Basu Prasad (Forget Me Not); Kay Kay Menon (Bahrupiya); Manoj Bajpayee, Gajaraj Rao (Hungama Kyon Hain Barpa); Harshvarrdhan Kapoor, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Radhika Madan (Spotlight).
Satyajit Ray was an all-rounder. The iconic filmmaker wrote articles and songs. Additionally, he created and sketched posters, and was a critic and calligrapher in addition to composing music. He donned far too many hats to count. In the year of his centennial, Netflix India released Ray, a four-part anthology series adapted from his short, colourful stories. It published in sets of 12 and in the year of his centennial, Netflix released Ray, a four-part anthology series adapted from his gorgeous, lithe pieces. Moreover, it is one the best Netflix shows so far.
Forget Me Not
In Ali Fazal’s Forget Me Not, he plays Ipsit Nair, a man with a computer brain but is suffering from dementia. This storey, directed by Srijit Mukherjee and adapted for the screen by Siraj Ahmed, takes you straight into the mind of its protagonist, who is in the process of being damaged.
The screenplay for this story is the greatest of the four, and it’s all thanks to some impossibly fantastic passages written in the second half. In a mind-blowing sequence, present-day Ipsit encounters his previous self at a location he has no recollection of visiting. Moreover, just think about the term “wheelchair journey” and how it makes you feel near the end of story one.
Bahrupiya
In Mukherji’s other episode, Bahrupiya, Kay Kay Menon plays a movie makeup artist who utilises his expertise to destroy his opponents, but soon finds himself defenceless.
Indrashish Shaha is stuck with a profession and a life he despises. Additionally, Indro is a simple man and has simple goals. However, he finds himself entangled in a world that isn’t meant for him. Furthermore, this causes him to breach the law and putting him in life-threatening danger.
Moreover, Ray’s Bahurupiya is once again brought to life by Siraj Ahmed’s screenplay. Additionally, with this one, Kay Kay Menon may have had the best 50 minutes of his career.
Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa
Satyajit Ray’s Nayak, one of the less appreciated masterpieces, also has a train journey. However, in Barin Bhowmick-er Byaram, he changes the passengers and the conversation between them. Also, Musafir Ali is a prominent Urdu ghazal singer who suffers from kleptomania (an impulse control disease. Consequently, that results in an irrepressible need to steal.
Additionally, the episode is sprinkled with just the perfect amount of humour. Moreover, it delights you throughout as Musafir is accused of stealing Baig’s money. There’s a good possibility you won’t try to concentrate on anything else if Manoj Bajpayee is on television. Consequently, you’ll see him buttering life lessons in Urdu.
Spotlight
Spotlight tells the story of Vikram Malhotra (Harshvardhan Kapoor), a Bollywood star who has become famous for his one signature look. He enjoys being in the spotlight, but it is quickly rips away by a religious leader, Didi (Radhika Madan). Moreover, Didi’s powers serve as a reality check for Vikram, who happens to be staying in the same hotel.
Also, you might like: Sherni, now streaming on Amazon Prime
