Kaala Paani

This is an intense, wonderfully constructed series that pulls no punches.

Kaala Paani is the smartest and most intense reflection on what happened during the Covid-epimedic with people and those that carry the responsibility to govern them. The story centers around the outbreak of a deadly infection that happens on the Andaman and Nicobar islands, which are a part of India.

The story follows characters on all levels of society. Tourists, that are caught unaware by the epidemic. Doctors that try to fight it. Public officials who try to manage the situation or try to exploit it for their own gains. Corporate executives who try to cover up their role in spreading the disease. A group of natives who play a very special role in fighting the disease.

The writers of Kaala Paani created wonderfully rich and layered characters, each of them with their own meaningful challenges, flaws and abilities. And as a viewer, I was heavily invested and interested in their individual fates.

Kaala Paani has a meta-theme that glues together all these story elements. A meta theme that is introduced with a little side story at the beginning of the second episode: Which decision will you take if there are only bad solutions, you have the power to choose between those bad solutions and whatever you choose, the result of your decision will be the loss of life (the "trolley problem").

Most of the characters we follow - whether they are people in power or everyday people - are confronted at some point in time with such a decision, some of them even more than once. And in Kaala Paani those decisions have stark consequences. People we viewers might assume are "save", because they are essential for the story will die. The actions of seemingly unimportant side characters might have ripple effects that can change the whole scenario.

In short: Wonderful story telling :-)

Side note: As someone who has never been in India, I highly enjoyed this small window into Indian culture and society that is given by this series. Thanks a lot to the creators and writers of this story.

Final Verdict: Watch this series if you enjoy intense and gripping character drama that centers around the outbreak of a deadly disease and is set up on a beautiful island archipelago.

I have to say " This story is the best , we're like reading an fantasy book but with the real situation". The great thing about this series is writing , and the screenplay , It keeps the spectators to wonder , what gonna happen next , and That is the best part here, The director handled the characters very well and Each of them Nailed It . It does have Twist , turns and plots , which is very well scripted and they have done it without any issue . The dialogue are well written. And Last but not the least , the Cinematography , the whole series was travelling in an Island , and they have showed some wonderful Shots and some of them are mindboggling. I would suggest Please take your notes and add this series to your list . Please must watch it also delivers how people are selfish nowadays. They haven't done yet , the next season is coming soon , and I hope , they will not let down this hype.

The story about an epidemic on the island and the survival of the people. They made the story very well and each one done their part beautifully. How humans can never change their greed and do anything for their survival explain well. Each character got interlinked well with progress of series and you never know what will happen. No one is the hero of the story everyone of their part to play in series. It shows how the inner human animals came into picture when the person care about himself and his family. The Switch. Who will you save 4 hundred or millions. The conservation and human encroachment shows very well. Must watch. Hope they will make next season soon.

It is by far the most remarkable show of 2023 that i have seen. Not for once it felt like a fiction, it was like witnessing a real life event that was unfolding before my eyes. Characters were not acting, they were living it. But out of all the characters brilliant performances, my heart goes to Santosh Salva played by Vikas Kumar for personal reasons. The depiction of struggles that a common man faces while dealing with such situations just couldn't get anymore realistic. His character arc and transformation from a loving and timid father into becoming something he thought he was never capable of, a RUTHLESS SURVIVOR..!! Doing whatever it takes to be alive and keeping his family safe is simply impeccable. Actors bring versatility by playing different roles, Vikas made it happen by Santosh Salva..!! A rising star indeed..!! Truly amazing performance and a must watch..!!

Brilliant acting, beautiful cinematography, crisp and tight plot. While watching this show, it feels as if nothing gets wasted (in terms of plot). Every small action is important. If you like shows where they show you a small unimportant thing that later turns out to be important, this show is fillied with such scenarios. Grim but also somehow wholesome. It's a show where you'll feel and care for the characters. Every person is important. And the attention to details even in dialog is something that I can't stress enough upon. Take this exchange for example:

Junior: Sir I have a theory, this will work.

Senior: you don't have a theory, you have a hypothesis. You haven't proved it yet, so don't call it a theory.

I mean, the writers and makers have kept so many similar dialogues which other shows won't. They chose to focus on small details without compromising in pace and story. No unnecessary heroism, no melodram, just pure logic and emotions.

I'm on episode 4 and so I haven't even touched my remote. I'll say it again: ACTING & CINEMATOGRAPHY!!! One of the best Indian OTT shows so far. Just marvelous.