‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein’ is a Netflix original thriller drama featuring Tahir Raj Bhasin, Shweta Tripathi Sharma and Anchal Singh. Created by Siddharth Sengupta, the series is about possession and power. The ugly truth of corruption and misuse of power is showcased in this series. It brings out the psychology of an obsessed woman who goes to any limits to get the man she wants.
The characters do extreme justice to the series. Anchal Singh plays the obsessive lover Purva who is not a stereotyped female or addicted, depressed woman chasing something. She is calm and composed, seen in mute colours, vibrant sarees and sober salwar suits. Shweta plays Sikha who is bubbly but you can relate to Golu Gupta from her appearance and character who is caught between violence with an incomplete love story. Vikrant aka Tahir is a convincingly simple man who just wants to make a life for himself outside the dirty politics. Vikrant and Shikha’s little on-screen romance is cute and beautiful. Saurabh Shukla who plays the villain is powerful yet comedic. Brijendra Kala who played Vikrant’s father was hilarious throughout.
It begins with a man who questions the three reasons why a man’s life is ruined. Kisses that money power and a woman ruins a man’s life and in his case, he was neither obsessed with money nor interested in power but the whims of a woman destroyed his life. The 8-episode Netflix series is dark humour with action thriller elements well-balanced throughout.
Tahir Raj Bhasin plays the role of an outstanding student who has become an engineer who is unemployed and wants to move out of his city from the clutches of corruption. He has planned a life for him but his father works for a shady politician whose daughter is obsessed with him. Shweta plays the role of his college sweetheart who is suffocated in the entire confusion.
With heavy plot twists and a detailed narrative, the series is more of pulp fiction. The character of Vikrant is more like a spineless man who is confused and indecisive. He plans for revenge and relies on his best friend and YouTube to get rid of his miseries. Shweta Tripathi is mostly out of action and has more of a reactionary character. She is dragged into the conflict of Vikrant and Purva just because Vikrant did not have the spine to confess his love for her openly. Vikrant is a convenient coward who dreams of everything small in life. Even after a life-changing event where his life was turned upside down, he gathers the courage to seek revenge in the most decent manner. If the audience is waiting for anything throughout the season, it is his transformation.
The script as a whole is very interesting with dialogues providing both a serious tone and a comic relief. The imaginary screenplay along with brilliant cinematography will make anyone stick to their screens. Though there is a slow plot development in the beginning, later the suspense keeps increasing.
As the title suggests, ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhien’ as the plots unfolded, the dark side was well portrayed. One would feel helplessness throughout the series, although the journey lost its intensity at places. This would have been better as a movie. At times there are forced complications and sudden mystery. It has an open end which is nothing but frustrating. Also, it begins with an Othello quote and maybe this series is a gender-reversed version of it to some extent or maybe it will be if there comes another season.
The most unique part of the series is that the man is the victim of an aggressive love. Femme fatale has been earlier a part of Hindi films but this has different psychology. The execution should have provided some insight into Purva’s psyche and obsession. The character arcs change slowly and the series is engaging throughout.
‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein’ is currently streaming on Netflix.
Rating: 3/5
