High on action & drama

Gurnaaz Kaur

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At a time when the focus is on Bollywood and drugs, High gives you a peek into the world of drugs and the stakeholders in the narcotics business. And in the show too, Mumbai is the epicentre. Shiv Mathur (Akshay Oberoi) is a junkie who lands at a rehab and research centre due to drug overdose. How this happens, you will get all the details in the first episode. At the facility, he is introduced to a green powder that helps him kick his addiction and brings him an unusual bliss. Amazed by the effects of the ‘magic compound’ he wants to help its creator, scientist Dr Roy (Prakash Belawadi) and his two assistants Dr Shweta (Shweta Basu Prasad) and Dr Nakul (Nakul Bhalla).

Soon they are out selling Magic with the help of his friend DJ (Mantra Mugdh). In no time, the green pill becomes a hit and this turns into a war. Drug lord Munna (Kunal Naik) and a pharmaceutical company CEO (Padmavati Rao) through her hitman Lakda (Ranvir Shorey) set out to get hold of the wonder drug. Aashima (Mrinmayee Godbole), a news anchor known to entertain people with fake news, becomes the investigator of the matter.

Each episode of the nine-part series opens with a flashback, shown in black and white, into a time in 1970s when four scientists are researching the benefits of Madhubani, the plant that creates Magic. It lends a backdrop to the main timeline. Drug peddlers, goons, politicians, pharmaceutical companies… there is a whole world out there that will do anything to stop Magic which can end drug dependency. There are enough twists and turns, oodles of action and bloodshed, and, yes nine cliff-hangers. Makes you wonder if there’s a second season on the way.

The actors and the supporting actors have given some great performances. Akshay is very convincing, first as the droopy-eyed drug addict and then in his transformed avatar. Shweta and Nakul as doctors and then as traffickers are smooth. Struggling with a haunted past, Ranvir Shorey is merciless. Mantra, Kunal and Aashima fit the bill and play their characters very well. The writers have interestingly woven many parallel stories into one. As the story progresses, there are some visible loopholes, repetitions and over-the-top drama but you choose to let it pass because there is enough to keep you hooked. Cinematography is solid. It sets the mood, creates the right environment and occasionally makes you cringe. Director Nikhil Rao knows his craft well and has helmed High passionately. Also he has made sure to serve it at the right time.