Same ‘Family Man’ elan

Gifted actor Jaideep Ahlawat is not the only common factor between the second season of ‘Paatal Lok’ and the third outing of ‘The Family Man’. At first glance, the plot too seems achingly similar. The storyline is set in the beauteous Northeast — Nagaland, to be precise. A peace accord with the rebels is in order and a grandfather-grandson conflict forms a solid leitmotif. Despite these familiarities, creators Raj & DK are on top of their game once again.

The stakes are higher and their mastery over geopolitical concerns wrapped as an espionage thriller remains intact. The issue at hand is a burning one: the bitter reality behind the trade-offs around weapons deals. The billion-dollar arms trade ensures that terror reigns.

Amidst all this manoeuvering, our favourite homegrown spy Srikant Tiwari (Manoj Bajpayee) is back. ‘The Family Man’ is trying to navigate his turbulent domestic space around his lovely wife (Priyamani) and petulant children (Ashlesha Thakur, Vedant Sinha), now all grown-up.

Duty calls and he is off to Nagaland with the NIA chief (Dalip Tahil) on a special peace mission. But peace is collateral damage in a world where terror pays handsome dividends.

Jugal Hansraj plays a billionaire tycoon negotiating an arms deal on behalf of The Collective. Since the Indian Prime Minister (Seema Biswas) has second thoughts about going ahead, Meera (Nimrat Kaur), the wheeler-dealer, finds unscrupulous ways to force the PM to sign on the dotted line.

As the series unravels, exciting elements are in place. Least of them is indeed Ahlawat as druglord-mercenary Rukma, who pulls off the negative turn with as much badass swagger as his iconic Hathi Ram Chowdhry act. To justify his Hindi, we learn Rukma is not from the Northeast. Of course, the series has some actors from the region, including Paalin Kabak as Stephen and model-actress Andrea Kevichüsa as Rukma’s love interest, Nima.

Child actor Riyan Mipi is so endearing that one can totally understand why Rukma’s cold heart too melts, even though the child is not his, but Nima’s.

The beauty of the storyline is how writers (Raj & DK, Suman Kumar) flip the title two-way. Srikant sure is the family man here. But so is the ruthless villain, even if a reluctant one.

Like the previous seasons, the third one is gripping and technically brilliant. Cinematography by Jay Charola is unobtrusive yet riveting. Background score (Sachin-Jigar) has the requisite northeastern feel, thanks to the Nagamese version by Aman Pant.

Tension remains high and the pace rarely slags. Srikant going under the radar is an intriguing development. Yet one could argue that many twists are predictable. Between brisk action and spy games, the series manages to pack in many layers of wisdom, subtle hints and home truths. Frothy one-liners by Sumit Arora are simply delectable.

One could say the series lays it thick, yet does not spread itself thin. Rather than playing to the gallery, Darshan Kumar as ISI agent Sameer is no devil provoked. Nothing here sounds pedantic or dull. Even when the series pauses and ponders, it picks up pace. Yes, a few inconsistencies exist. How could a spy of Srikant’s calibre let out the secret so non-surreptitiously, at a funeral?

But between predictable and surprising, massy and classy, ‘The Family Man’ retains its mojo. As do its battery of actors. Bajpayee continues to cast a spell — only he can play the professionally and personally beleaguered Srikant. Nimrat shines as Meera and her chemistry with Ahlawat is rather enjoyable. One only wishes that Sharib Hashmi’s JK had been given more sleuthing skills, not just dating ones.

Meme-worthy Chellam Sir finally finds due space. Fans, however, might be a trifle dismayed with the climax ending on a cliffhanger, not quite characteristic Raj & DK style. But with the fourth season rumoured to bring the curtains down on the popular franchise, an epic finale appears to be on the cards.