'Tabbar' (which means 'family' in Punjabi) is an engrossing eight-episode series that stays true to the title. The plot is set in the hamlet of Deep Nagar in Jalandhar (Punjab), with co-writers Harman Wadala and Sandeep Jain and director Ajitpal Singh transporting the action to the backdrop of a tragic incident that occurred in Singh's family.
The story, as told through the eyes of various characters, emphasises the significance of family unity, especially during difficult times. The protagonist is a retired police constable, Omkar Singh (Pavan Malhotra), who now runs a small Kirana Store (grocery shop) for a living. Omkar adores his wife Sargun (Supriya Pathak), and he does everything for her, from taking care of her diabetic medications to helping her with the daily chores. His two sons; Harpreet aka Happy (Gagan Arora), a dutiful son preparing for the IPS in Delhi, and a college student aspiring to be a social influencer, Tegi (Sahil Mehta).
Unfortunately, the dynamics of this family change when Maheep Sodhi (Rachit Bahal), the brother of local politician Ajeet Singh Sodhi (Ranvir Shorey), is shot dead by Happy. Happy's father, Omkar, feels compelled to go to any length to protect his son. But, the incident instills fear in the family, and this high-profile case puts the cops on alert.
Edited by Parikshhit Jha, each taut episode of 'Tabbar' is about 35-45 minutes long. The dramatic plot swings from one extreme to the other while maintaining equilibrium. The writing, on the other hand, is unconvincing at times, especially when the entire family is working to keep their secrets hidden. A slow-burning ethical and emotional squabble erupts as the clamps on central characters-Omkar and his wife-tighten. Even when Omkar's grand plan goes awry, causing logistical issues, the performances remain consistent and the characters continue to engage the viewers. The tempo slows down in the first few episodes, and it takes too long to establish the premise. The second half, on the other hand, is intense and engaging, with the climax serving only as a capstone.
On the face of it, Omkar appears to be an idealistic, upright man. However, after straying too far from his convictions later in the story, his actions simply demonstrate that "all lines get blurred, when it comes to your blood." Pavan Malhotra is commendable as Omkar Singh. He is the driving force behind the show, expertly steering the pivotal character. Supriya Pathak's character Sargun is the pinnacle of strength and nurturing. Her primary role as a mother remains unchanged, but her development throughout the course of the show is impressive. Supriya Pathak plays Sargun to perfection, especially in scenes where she feels guilty and suffocates under the constant weight of trying to save her son. In addition, the meticulous attention to detail, from Sargun's round gold bali's (jhumkas) to the use of Punjabi language and the setup, lends them a more authentic on-screen appearance. The music and background soundtrack by Sneha Khanwalkar also fit in beautifully, striking an emotional connection with the audience.
Gagan Arora has previously played a naive lover boy in rom-com web series such as 'College Romance' and 'Girls Hostel'. He does, however, play a crucial role in this family drama, and he appears to be quite promising and convincing in the role of Happy. Gagan's relationship with the neighbourhood girl, Palak (Nupur Nagpal), remains undeveloped and underwhelming. Nothing to blame the couple for; it's the plot's many layers that divert attention away from them. Paramvir Singh Cheema stands tall over other characters as police officer Lucky, dealing with simple theft cases until he proves himself capable. He's one of the most likeable characters to root for.
Ranvir Shorey is excellent as the local politician Ajeet Singh Sodhi. His persona consists of many different aspects. On the one hand, he is a compassionate individual concerned about his missing brother, but he is also merciless when things don't go his way. Ranvir Shorey's actions and emotions never cease to terrify viewers. In many aspects, his right-hand man, Multan (played by Ali Mughal), is similar to him.
While Tabbar revolves around the Singh family and their strong bond with each other, it's the plot twists and the performances, especially those of Supriya Pathak and Pavan Malhotra, that power this absorbing and intense family drama. The whole premise is a bit dark, but that shouldn't deter you from binge-watching this one.
