Pharma

Rating - 3.5/5

A medical investigation drama with a robust storyline serving as an eye opener to the society.

The plot of the story takes through the life journey of a Pharma sales representative, his revelation and fight for justice to the medical victims through the web series.

A daring attempt by Arun for bringing such a novel and genuine topic to public diaspora for a fair discussion deserves huge appreciation. He has effortlessly narrated the story through the life of a sales guy, the frustration one undergoes, target pressure from superiors, empathy towards the patients and barely eating the curse of a thousand victim families and the bold matryrs of this fight. The visuals may lack emotion at times when rushing through the short span episodes but the director has etched the pulp of the story into the heart of the audience. The sincerity in portraying this story is evident through the way he has approached the subject as a former Pharma representative who is well aware of the bitter truth.

Kudos to the team for the impressive casting in the web series. Nivin has played the lead role that began in humour and moved through the variations in the character shades with utmost subtlety. Rajit Kapur has given a poised performance in the story. Impressive performance by Shruthi Ramakrishnan who has just stolen the show with her matured performance, gentleness and cues who left a lasting impact in the minds of the audience. Binu Pappu, Narain, Saafboi, Shruthi Jayan, Aswathy Manoharan & Veena Nandakumar also made notable performances.

Good Cinematography by Abhinand Ramanujam, razor sharp cuts by Sreejith Sarang, good background scores by Abjaksh ,exceptional production design by Aravind Kovilakam and exceptional sound design/mixing by Sreejith & Vipin.

A must watch web series that is a wide eye opener to many will definitely think for a while before consuming your next capsule.

The concept of the series is genuinely strong, but the direction completely lets it down. Most of the casting works well, except for the lead actor, Nivin Pauly. His performance is even worse than the direction. Honestly, apart from his lip movements, his body barely shows any expression or movement throughout the entire series.

An incredibly important take on a very overlooked aspect of modern medicine is tackled tastefully here. It expertly interweaves flashback sequences with current events to provide a thoroughly engaging non-linear storyline.

There is no doubt that the story is the strongest aspect of the show. It's fresh, interesting, and presented in a very I-need-to-binge-this-till-the-end way. The plot deals not only with the main character's journey but how different people from different walks come together as resistance to corporations, and it makes you stop for a second and think about the medicines you consume, their cost and the entire industry, which means they've achieved their goal.

Nivin Pauly and several of the other actors drive the show with good performances. The cinematography feels over-the-top in the beginning, but settles as the show goes on. The dialogue writing isn't amazing but it does its work, just that a lot of the English-speaking parts felt forced. There doesn't need to be English spoken between people who very obviously won't just to make it seem modern. The story is great enough that such tactics aren't necessary.

Again, I just love how we keep switching from 2008 to 2017 to 2025 instead of just presenting the story in chronological order. This really adds to the intrigue and mystery and keeps you on the edge-of-the-seat.

Maybe could have incorporated more humour as that seemed to be the tone both in the trailer and in the first few episodes. Very understandable why it's toned down to an almost non-existential extent toward the end, but would've been fun to see cheery and idiotically funny nivin for a while at least. Not a complaint, just a wish.

The music compliments the show greatly, I just can't seem to skip the intro because it is so well-made visually and musically. Jake's Bejoy the GOAT.

Overall, a show with an important message presented entertainingly. Would recommend.

Pharma is a bold and socially relevant series that shines a light on the lesser-discussed realities of the pharmaceutical industry. Rather than focusing on glamour or fast thrills, the series takes a grounded, realistic approach, making it stand out in the current OTT space.

Nivin Pauly delivers a restrained and mature performance, stepping away from his usual comfort zone and fitting naturally into the serious tone of the story. His character's moral dilemmas feel genuine, and the internal conflict between personal growth and ethical responsibility is portrayed convincingly.

What truly works in Pharma is its concept. The series raises important questions about corporate greed, medical ethics, and the silent consequences faced by common people. The narrative encourages viewers to think, reflect, and question systems we usually trust blindly. The supporting cast also does justice to their roles, adding depth to the storyline.

Though the pacing is slow at times, it actually complements the seriousness of the theme, allowing the story to unfold patiently and realistically. The makers clearly prioritize message over mass entertainment, which may not appeal to everyone but will definitely resonate with viewers who enjoy meaningful, content-driven dramas.

Overall, Pharma is a sincere and courageous attempt that deserves appreciation for its intention and relevance. It may not be a high-voltage thriller, but it succeeds as a socially conscious drama with substance.

A must-watch for viewers who enjoy realistic stories with strong social messages.

The subject is of social importance..but could have narrated a bit faster. Felt screenplay also lacked. There was no high/thrilling moments.. All actors did their job fair enough..

The subject is of social importance..but could have narrated a bit faster. Felt screenplay also lacked. There was no high/thrilling moments.. All actors did their job fair enough..