Shaitan Web Series Review, Rating

OTT is one platform where any sort of director with an inkling to shoot bold content will find a place. That's why many filmmakers are trying their hand in the OTT space. 'Yatra' director Mahi V Raghav recently made 'Save The Tigers' (as a showrunner) for Disney Plus Hotstar. He is now back with 'Shaitan'. Here is our review of the web series:

Plot:

Savitri (Shelly Kishore) is a deserted and economically poor wife. Her three children, Baali (Manish Rishi), Jaya (Deviyani Sher) and Gumti (Jaffer Sadiq) are her world. She can do anything for their sake. Driven by poverty, she enters into a sexual relationship with a cop. Although the relationship is consensual, the cop is exploitative. His toxic behaviour hurts Savitri and her eldest son, Baali, who feels slighted by others looking down upon his mother as a morally loose woman who is available for sex.

In a shocking turn of events, the four family members brutally murder the cop. The rest of the story is about the consequences of this decision, what Bala becomes eventually, a plot involving Maoists, and more.

Performances:

The web series features consistent performances. There is no starry performance. Everyone is realistic and doesn't mind mouthing expletives. Almost every other minute, there is one or another cuss word. The artists don't look unnatural while uttering vulgar language. Usually, in movies/web series, artists are made to appear enjoyable. Here, the cuss words come from a place of pain.

As such, the performances are commendable. Rishi is fabulous throughout. Kamakshi Bhaskarla is effective in the role of a determined female character. Ravi Kale, Manikandan K, Aneesha Dama, Lena, Nithin Prasanna and others are good.

Merits:

Shocking scenes.
Graphical violence.
Some emotional scenes.

Demerits:

Lack of depth.
Repeated use of cuss words.
Too lengthy (nine episodes running into four and a half hours).
Lack of emotional connect overall.

Verdict:

'Shaitan' has good performances but the story lacks coherence. Director Mahi V Raghav tells the story of violent rage driven by personal vengeance. With an emotionally well-rounded story, the series would have been a winner.