Starring Boman Irani, Samara Tijori, Upasana Singh, and Manu Rishi Chadha, Masoom is the latest web series to hit our OTT screens. The six-episode series was released today and, from the very beginning, it establishes itself as one of the most memorable Indian shows of the year.
When her mother dies suddenly, Sana (Samara Tijori) goes home for the funeral and immediately starts asking questions about how she died. And one of the first people she suspects is her father. Soon, it becomes obvious that Sana’s family is trying to hide something from her. As she tries to find out the truth behind her mother’s death, several secrets start tumbling out of the closet in the process. The family blames Sana’s mental health problems for her suspicious nature and doesn’t believe anything she says, which only makes her more determined to find the truth.
Masoom starts well and maintains a good pace. The visuals, accompanying soundtrack, and subtle acting make the viewer curious about the story. This is not a simplistic show, there are several nuances and stories within stories here. But none of it is overwhelming. It’s disturbing, yes, but it doesn’t confuse you.
Boman Irani’s versatility is such that he manages to scare as much as he can amuse his audience. And as Dr Balraj Kapoor in his streaming debut, he gives you chills. Balraj Kapoor is not the typical dark villain you expect in a thriller. Through his portrayal of a complicated character, Boman Irani manages to unexpectedly evoke sympathy from the viewer as well. The way his character evolves is extraordinary. Boman Irani’s act is clearly the stand-out performance of the show.
Samara Tijori is impressive as Sana, the vulnerable, troubled black sheep of the Kapoor family. She is constantly at war with herself as she oscillates between love for some members of her family and the need to protect her own self.
Manu Rishi Chadha comes and goes as policeman Ranjit Singh. As Sana’s suspicions grow about her father, Ranjit Singh is roped in to investigate two deaths which share Dr Balraj Kapoor as the common link. Even in a role that doesn’t occupy a major part of the story, Chadha leaves a lasting impact on the viewer.
There is no point in the show when you feel that it’s being stretched beyond logic. And that is an easy trap for most web series to fall into. Masoom keeps you invested in the story and doesn’t bore you at any point. The twists are unpredictable and come out of nowhere which is a refreshing change for the Indian web series industry. However, as the show progresses, there are a couple of factors in the story that the viewer comes to expect. That doesn’t take away from the intensity of the story though.
Directed by Mihir Desai and written by Satyam Tripathy, Masoom is a good watch if you’re looking for a psychological thriller. Fair warning, child abuse and mental illness are significant aspects of the story, so do proceed with caution.
Masoom is streaming now on Disney+ Hotstar.
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