Bahishkarana(web-series(2024)) - "Breaking Chains, Seeking Redemption"

Directed by: Mukesh Prajapathi
Screenplay by: Mukesh Prajapathi
Dialogue by: Shaymu Chennu
Produced by: Prashanti Malisetti
Executive Producer: Kiran Reddy Thumma
Starring: Anjali, Ravindra Vijay, Sritej, Ananya Nagalla
Cinematography: Prasanna S Kumar
Edited by: Raviteja Girijala
Music by: Sidharth Sadasivuni
Production Company: Pixel Pictures Pvt Ltd
Release Date: 19 July 2024
Running Time: 30-40 minutes per episode
Country: India
Language: Telugu

Plot:

"Bahishkarana" delves into the life of Pushpa (Anjali), a woman trapped in a world not of her choosing. Forced to navigate a harsh reality, she embarks on a daring path to carve her own destiny. This gripping story explores themes of societal prejudice, inner strength, and the fight for a life beyond circumstance.

Pushpa, a courtesan, arrives in Peddapalli and falls in love with Darshi. While the couple prepares for their new life together, fate has something else in store for them.

Performances:

• Anjali (Pushpa): Anjali delivers a powerful performance, capturing the complex emotions of a woman fighting against societal constraints. Her portrayal of different shades of her character is impressive.
• Ravindra Vijay (Shivaya): Ravindra Vijay shines as Shivaya, utilizing the acting scope his character provides.
• Sritej (Darshi): Sritej performs well, adding depth to his character.
• Ananya Nagalla (Lakshmi): Ananya Nagalla is effective in her role as a retro native village girl, although she doesn't have much to add to the narrative compared to the leads.

Technicians:

• Direction: Mukesh Prajapathi succeeds in maintaining suspense throughout the series. However, the screenplay has inconsistencies that detract from the overall experience.
• Cinematography: Prasanna S Kumar captures the raw village visuals beautifully, adding to the authenticity of the story.
• Editing: Raviteja Girijala's editing is decent but could have been tighter to address the screenplay's inconsistencies.
• Music: Sidharth Sadasivuni's background score is haunting and memorable, enhancing the tenseful impact of the series.

Strengths:

• Performances: Strong performances by Anjali and Ravindra Vijay stand out.
• Suspense: The series maintains a gripping suspense throughout, keeping viewers engaged.
• Visuals: The raw village visuals add authenticity to the narrative.

Weaknesses:

• Screenplay: The inconsistent screenplay detracts from the overall narrative, with some scenes feeling disjointed.
• Character Conflict: The conflict between Pushpa and Shivaya is not fully developed, leading to a lack of depth in their interactions.

My Personal Take:

"Bahishkarana" starts intriguingly, with raw and compelling performances that draw viewers into the story. Anjali and Ravindra Vijay deliver standout performances, supported by a solid cast. The series maintains a suspenseful atmosphere throughout, but the last two episodes feel melodramatic and somewhat rushed. The screenplay's inconsistencies create a forced cliffhanger for each episode, making the pacing feel off. The last episode, in particular, feels short and could have been combined with the previous one for a more cohesive ending.

Overall, "Bahishkarana" is a watchable web series to kill time, with its strong performances and suspenseful narrative standing out. However, it suffers from a lack of coherence in the screenplay and character conflicts that feel underdeveloped.

Rating: 2.25/5