MARZI – Short, Simple Suspense Series Set in Scenic Shimla!


ASHOK’s FIVE reasons to watch MARZI now streaming on Voot. Here is a compact six-part series that is a thriller set against the MeToo context and based on the 2017 British TV series Liar created by BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated producers and screenwriters Henry and Jane William. If you are not looking for heavy duty binge watching and want to indulge in a beautifully produced work, this is your best bet to put your feet up, dim the lights and drift along with the narrative.
1.       Reason one is undoubtedly Shimla. The setting is picturesque and the houses on the hill-top, the main road, greenery and the rains make for really scenic delight. Add to that the stylish woollen costumes worn by the protagonists and you begin to feel nice and comfy!
2.       Full marks to Rajeev Khandelwal and Aahana Kumra for some brilliant work. They carry the series on their shoulders. Khandelwal is comfortable in his skin and plays his age and carries off the character of Dr Anurag Saraswat quite well. On the other side, Aahana tends to become a little repetitive in her expressions of helplessness and the constant wringing of her hands becomes a tad boring. They are supported by a cast that does a wonderful supporting role. Vivek Mushran as the police officer comes up with a fair performance except for some scenes where his deadpan look fails to deliver.
3.       Writer Radhika Anand conjures up with a tight screenplay and Director Anil Senior does a competent job. The constant swing of new evidences between the protagonists in the initial episodes makes the viewer curious as to who is the real culprit.
4.       The story has quite a few sub plots with most characters having something to hide and this does not do much for propelling the main story forward. In some ways, Marzi is like a well-made collage where you focus on the centre and ignore the imaged on the periphery. The ending is a bit abrupt and I suspect that the makers did not take any liberties from the original script.
5.       Marzi is a surprise package, well-made, great acting and tight screenplay with just the right portions of thrill and twists. The camera work is interesting; most scenes are shot from behind the window grill or the curtain giving you a voyeuristic feel and gets you hooked.
MARZI is a beautiful package. Its not path-breaking, nor is it technically brilliant. It doesn’t claim to be either. You will definitely be surprised at the offering and remain hooked to the end.





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