City of Dreams review.. Series of Dreams??!!

Since the time I first came to know about this web series, I was really looking forward to it and then the D-day finally dawned, almost an year ago. Here\’s a look back at it!

The first episode was probably the only one that I didn\’t watch back to back. If I recall correctly, I feasted upon the remaining nine episodes in a single seating. No need to ask for credentials when the mastermind behind the story and direction is Nagesh Kukunoor. Mr. Rohit Banawlikar has co written it with him. Priya Bapat has demonstrated her brilliance in films like Kaksparsh, Amhi Doghi, Happy Journey (all marathi films). She plays a neglected, ill treated daughter of a male dominated, misogynistic, political family, but still having hidden ambitions, aspirations and desire of coming all out as her father is bed stricken and unconscious!! Her reel brother Siddharth Chandekar, who started his acting career with Avdhut Gupte\’s Zenda and went on to star in films like Gulabjaam, showcases a different streak of his acting. That of the hot headed, impulsive, drug addict, rich brat of a self made politician. The Baap of these two kids, literally and figuratively, Ameya Gaikwad, has been played by none other than Atul Kulkarni. Two time national award winner and part of films like Chandni Bar, Rang De Basanti, Natarang, Dahavi Fa, Satta, Page 3 and Ghazi attack, and a NSD alumnus. His class remains to be uncovered in the series though, as he has been unconscious and bedridden for most of the series so far. The desperation of Eijaz Khan, to wash the stains of an unsuccessful family life and professional life, while he got blood stains during the various shootouts, can be very much seen in his body language and eyes. Sachin Pilgaonkar, our very own Mahaguru plays the role of a corrupt CM. Sandip Kulkarni, another talented actor and a JJ School of Arts alumni who went on to pursue acting, is a very straight forward person on the outside but who converts black money to white for his politician boss, and is looking for extra marital excitement.

Although Sacred Games has an equally powerful star cast, and is based on the political and criminal gang nexus in Mumbai, it failed to strike a chord with me and I left it midway. This series keeps you on the edge of your chairs, as the battle for the most coveted chair gets even more entangled. Amey Gaikwad the king maker, and the battle of his kids for the all important position, even as he is alive, very much resembles many renowned political family dramas in Maharashtra. The bed stricken and unable to talk for himself central character, resembles the introductory theme of the film Rajneeti, to my mind. There is always a shocker and suspense that is created towards the end of every episode that creates even more enthusiasm and eagerness to binge watch!! No doubt there are over the top scenes like the concluding scene of the first season, where a MP\’s son is murdered in broad daylight, behind a not so deserted temple, by his own sister, the incumbent chief minister and a shootout specialist police officer. There\’s this another scene where a contract killer enters a security fortress house and precisely pierces the exact room where his target Mr Gaikwad is lodged. He is about to kill him, when out of the blue, the shootout-specialist-off-the-record working police officer, masquerading as Mr Gaikwad, tackles him and escapes without the knowledge of even a single person among barrage of bodyguards. The makers have taken liberty of language usage that is usually assumed of online series. Some people might cringe at the romantic scenes depicted in this series, but hypocritically laud those shown in Game of Thrones or any other Hollywood movie.

The first season is available on Disney Hotstar. Maharashtrians will definitely have a soft corner for this series, considering the storyline and the army of Marathi actors that have been roped in! If you love this genre, then you should definitely give it a shot!