Dhahanam Story:-
Dhahanam marks Ram Gopal Varma’s debut in the OTT realm, premiering on MX Player on April 14, 2022. Directed by Agastya Manju and produced by Varma himself, the series features a star-studded cast including Isha Koppikar, Abhishek Duhan, Naina Ganguly, Ashwatkanth Sharma, Parvathy Arun, Sayaji Shinde, Abhilash Chaudhary, and Pradeep Rawat. Comprising 7 episodes, each running approximately 30 minutes, the series delves into themes of jealousy, revenge, and murder amidst a backdrop of oppression.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 14 April 2022 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Thriller |
| Episodes | 7 |
| Cast | Abhishek Duhan, Ashwat Kanth, Naina Ganguly, Parvathy Arun, Isha Koppikar, Kancharapalem Kishore, Ravi Kale, Abhilash Chaudhary, Sayaji Shinde, Vinod Anand, Pradeep Singh Rawat, Kailash Pal |
| Director | Agasthya Manju |
| Producer | Gautam Talwar |
| Production | MX Player |
| Certificate | 13+ |
The storyline revolves around Hari, a Naxalite rebel driven by a desire to seek vengeance for the murder of his father, Sri Ramalu, perpetrated out of sheer envy. As Hari embarks on a quest for justice, his path intersects with that of Obul Reddy, a powerful figure entrenched in the village’s hierarchy and son of the mastermind behind Sri Ramalu’s demise. The ensuing conflict pits Hari, the voice of the oppressed, against Obul, a ruthless oppressor, in a battle for supremacy.
Despite its promising premise, Dhahanam falls short in execution. The introduction of Anjana Sinha, portrayed by Isha Koppikar, as a newly appointed police inspector initially suggests her role as a pivotal character driving the narrative forward. However, her character is underutilized, serving merely as a narrative device to set the stage for the unfolding events before fading into obscurity.
Similarly, the motivations behind Hari’s transformation into a Naxalite leader remain ambiguous, lacking the depth and backstory typically associated with such radical shifts. The antagonist, Obul Reddy, is portrayed as a one-dimensional villain driven solely by base desires, detracting from the complexity of the conflict between Naxals and landlords initially established in the plot.
Furthermore, the portrayal of female characters is largely superficial, with Pavani, the sole exception, relegated to a stereotypical role devoid of agency and depth. The series’ reliance on gratuitous violence and shock value detracts from its narrative coherence, diminishing the impact of pivotal moments and leaving the audience with a sense of dissatisfaction.
While the performances of the cast are commendable, particularly Abhishek Duhan’s portrayal of Hari, the series fails to capitalize on its potential, delivering a disjointed narrative marred by inconsistencies in pacing and character development. Although the sound score effectively heightens tension, technical issues such as poorly synchronized sound effects and dubbing detract from the overall viewing experience.
In conclusion, MX Player’s Dhahanam falls short of expectations, offering little more than a superficial exploration of its themes. While it may lay the groundwork for a potential second season, the lackluster execution and unresolved plot threads may leave viewers underwhelmed and disengaged.
