Eclipse

Loved the way the OTT platform is coming up with some great web series. Grahan web series is one of them. It has a superb story, screenplay, direction, acting, camera work and great music. It is quite an engaging story with background music which makes it more interesting.

Inspired by Satya Vyas' fictional novel "Chaurasi", the series "Grahan" is heart wrenching and spine chilling depiction of how brutal is brutal, unfolding two timelines - Ranchi 2016 and Bokaro 1984 and events of violence following the assassination of the then Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi on 31 October, 1984. Therein is a clear portrayal of how riots are provoked, how venom of hatred spewed by one person for self interest can blindfoldly turn people into mobs to walk on the road of vandalism. The horror, shadows of the carnage and violence of Bokaro Riots (1984) which blackened lives and aspirations of the Steel City. Without much spice this series has shown how people are fooled, instigated and driven towards hatred and violence by politicians and petty leaders, how neighborhoods, mohallahs, towns and villages thriving with diversity of people turn against each other.

It's cast Pavan Raj Malhotra, Anshuman Pushkar, Teekam Joshi, Wamiqa Gabbi, Sahidur Rahaman are apt in their characters. Zoya Hussain like always carrying her almost no make up approach since her debut film (Mukkabaaz) is organic in the role of the Investigating Officer. Amit Trivedi's music and Varun Grover's lyrics especially "Chori Chori" have made the series wholesome.

Through his investigations, freelance journalist Santosh Jaiswal comes across a communal riot conspiracy. But before he could share the details with anyone, he got murdered. In 2016, the CM forms SIT to investigate the 1984 Bokaro Anti-Sikh riots. SP City Amrita Singh, who leads the SIT came across a photograph of one of the rioters and she recognizes the man in the photograph as his father Gurusevak. Gurudeva refuses to disclose anything about the photograph and his past. In search of truth, Amrita goes to Bokaro with the SIT, and the pages of the past start to unwind. And so does questions - Who was Rishi Ranjan, who led the violent mob in 1984? Who was Manu? Who was Pragya? Who was Saini? Who were Guru, Jhandu, and Chhabra ji? What was the role of Chunnu in the infamous Sikh genocide that swept Bokaro? And the most important and relevant question - why the people who used to stay together turned into blood-thirsty devils?

Inspired from Satya Vyas' novel "Chaurasi", this 8-episode series "Grahan" switches between two time periods - Ranchi 2016 and Bokaro 1984. The team behind the story-screenplay of Grahan - Anu Singh Chaudhary, Navjot Gulati, Vibha Singh, Prateek Payodhi, Ranjan Chandel, and Shailendra Kumar Jha has done a commendable job. Despite making many additions and changes in the story, the writing team has succeeded in retaining the soul of the original novel "Chaurasi".

Anshuman Pushkar and Wamika Gabbi have lived the characters of Rishi and Manu respectively. Zoya Hasan as Amrita Singh and Teekam Joshi as Sanjay Singh have been quite impressive. Whatsoever small role it was, every actor has done his part effectively, be it Raj Sharma (Saini), be it Sahidur Rahman (DSP Vikas Mandal), be it Satyakam Anand (Kedar Bhagat), or be it Saharsh Shukla (Guru). Last, but not least, Pawan Malhotra was the top performer. While portraying Gurusevak, who remains silent most of the time, Pawan Malhotra has acted wonderfully through his eyes and facial expressions. It is one of his finest performances.

Varun Grover's lyrics are beautiful and Amit Trivedi's melodious music does wonders, like always. "Jogiya", "Chori Chori" and "Main Hoon Teri Parchhai" (penned and sung by Swanand Kirkire) stays with you for long. The background music also suits the theme. The cinematography is OK, but the Editing was under par. The direction was superb. The production design is also among the highlights of the series.

Grahan is a must-watch. Go for it.

Amazing to watch. It tells about reason of riots, casteism in India, a love between lovers, father and daughter. It tells the sacrifices.

MUST WATCH... 1. GREAT ACTING 2. GREAT STORY 3. GREAT DIRECTION 4. BUT LITTLE BIT SLOW SCREENPLAY

Almost Perfectly Well made web series of 2021.