Difficult time

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Can one change the past and hence the future? ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ by Umesh Bisht answers the question by bending the laws of nature, science and mystery in this investigative thriller.

‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ is adapted from a Korean series, ‘Signal’, but the idea in itself is interesting, for a crime thriller often involves death of innocents and incidents that can’t be altered, howsoever wrong. So, to have the power to change the past and save lives, any good cop like Yug Aria would jump at the opportunity with full force.

Raghav Juyal plays Yug, who ends up with a transmitter through which he communicates with another good cop, Shaurya Anthwal, played by Dhairya Karwa.

Recently seen as a bandit in the film ‘Kill’, Juyal’s makeover as a cop is evidence of his acting prowess and screen presence.

Kritika Kamra plays the role of Vamika Rawat, a female SHO in a male-dominated field. She tackles the marriage pressure at home and the work pressure of keeping her team together.

Anthwal, who is dealing with anger issues, is a cliched character for Karwa. In fact, he is the weakest link of the series, but it’s more of the writer’s fault than the actor’s.

Veteran actor Harsh Chhaya’s expertise in using expletives isn’t wasted in this one as well. He plays an Inspector General of Police and cusses much like his ‘Undekhi’ character to keep everyone under him in check.

‘Pagglait’ director Umesh Bisht successfully makes Uttarakhand a welcome presence in ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’. From multiple characters speaking the regional dialect to Kamra dancing to ‘Bedu Pako Baro Masa’, to scenic views, the essence of the state it is set in is not to be missed.

As for the series, with each episode dealing a new criminal case, the supporting actors add to the plot and not merely for show of strength.

The eight-episode series takes you from one case to another that is solved by an unusual combination of two cops. For a series that follows the timeline of 1990, 1999 and 2016, a better reflection of the period was expected. The climax, too, leaves one disheartened.

Leaving everything for Season 2 is a conscious choice of the makers, but was avoidable. Skip the series if you are tired of watching cliffhanger tropes.