The Raikar Case - a classic whodunnit that needs more cooking ?
ASHOK’s FIVE reasons to watch “The Raikar Case” now streaming on Voot. This is a middling whodunit spread across seven episodes and is set in Goa. The youngest member of the Naik Raikar family, 16-year-old Tarun Zachary Naik falls to his death off a cliff and it turns out that every member of the family has a motive to kill. How SP John Pereira steps in to solve this murder is the crux of the story. At best a Sunday afternoon lazy watch, it has its high points but meanders into mediocrity at times.
1. Director Aditya Sarpotdar attempts something innovative and you do get to notice how each well-paced episode commences with a new angle and ends on a cliff-hanger. This sets up an interesting point of view much like the Rashomon technique where each scene offers a potentially different possibility. However, this is not sustained, and the series becomes a tad too predictable and as a consequence, the big reveal fizzles out.
2. The cast includes Atul Kulkarni, Neil Bhoopalam, Ashvini Bhave and Parul Gulati and puts in decent performances. The romantic angle between the SP(Neil) and Etasha (Parul) does not fit into the flow and is totally unwarranted. Kulkarni is his usual competent self and there are some interesting performances from Kunal karan kapoor as well as Ashvini Bhave.
3. Overall, the series is a good addition to the Voot portfolio and if you keep your expectations pared down, it is a decent watch although quite predictable.
4. The Goa mileu is something to look out for although most of the scenes are shot indoors. As an aside, the way Naik Raikar is pronounced often sounds like Knight Riders and this makes you sit up!
5. The Raikar case is an interesting premise but let down by poor writing, over-acting and badly developed characters. In spite of this, there is something about the show that makes you go through the episodes hoping for a new twist. Some of the characters like Mohit and Etasha are interesting and portrayed well but perhaps not enough.
The Raikar case is a throwback to the classic murder mystery and could have stood out if it was treated as a true-blue investigation leading up to the final reveal rather than throw in so many elements. Sometimes, the khichdi is best left as it is and if you are a fan of the Mumbai dal-khichdi you will know what I am talking about! Rating this a 2 on 5. This one is for you Sunil Lobo hope you enjoy it. When is your next Goa trip ?
1. Director Aditya Sarpotdar attempts something innovative and you do get to notice how each well-paced episode commences with a new angle and ends on a cliff-hanger. This sets up an interesting point of view much like the Rashomon technique where each scene offers a potentially different possibility. However, this is not sustained, and the series becomes a tad too predictable and as a consequence, the big reveal fizzles out.
2. The cast includes Atul Kulkarni, Neil Bhoopalam, Ashvini Bhave and Parul Gulati and puts in decent performances. The romantic angle between the SP(Neil) and Etasha (Parul) does not fit into the flow and is totally unwarranted. Kulkarni is his usual competent self and there are some interesting performances from Kunal karan kapoor as well as Ashvini Bhave.
3. Overall, the series is a good addition to the Voot portfolio and if you keep your expectations pared down, it is a decent watch although quite predictable.
4. The Goa mileu is something to look out for although most of the scenes are shot indoors. As an aside, the way Naik Raikar is pronounced often sounds like Knight Riders and this makes you sit up!
5. The Raikar case is an interesting premise but let down by poor writing, over-acting and badly developed characters. In spite of this, there is something about the show that makes you go through the episodes hoping for a new twist. Some of the characters like Mohit and Etasha are interesting and portrayed well but perhaps not enough.
The Raikar case is a throwback to the classic murder mystery and could have stood out if it was treated as a true-blue investigation leading up to the final reveal rather than throw in so many elements. Sometimes, the khichdi is best left as it is and if you are a fan of the Mumbai dal-khichdi you will know what I am talking about! Rating this a 2 on 5. This one is for you Sunil Lobo hope you enjoy it. When is your next Goa trip ?
I am a big fan of layered and complex characters so I love the webseries. Wish they had given some of the characters more screen time and more scenes between two characters to show their complex relationship. But at the same time the starcast where so brilliant that they gave an insight of their character in the limited screen time they had. "Love" between Etasha and John could have been waited to next season and worked more on why she goes against her family. My opinion she try to be righteous but she is grey like the rest. Selfish and act before she things. Manika story could have been new characters arriving next season. Ashwini ma'am's character a surprise and Atul sir journey of a powerful man that slowly break down was awesome. I believe next season he will be back strong and powerful. The most interesting and complex character was Kunal Karan Kapoor ji's Mohit Naik Raikar. Anyone can relate to him in someway or another and Kunal ji did a stupendous job giving the character many shades and telling his story through his eyes. I am hoping that next season we get to watch, why his father neglect him and how his mother has an emotional hold on him. Beside that his relationship. Is it a lost boy with father issues??? He is much younger than Rushad Rana's character. Their relationship is interesting because it seem like the most sincere one...or is he taking advantages of Mohit who is lost and looking for support and acceptance??? A lot to explore about Mohit and likely the most layered and complex character on the series. Parul should work on her voice modulation and when she cry with voice on. Vaishnavi is young so I can ignore her overacting and her not fully getting into her character. Beside that everyone did a brilliant job. I kinda like that not everything was explained and you had to keep your brain with you.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I don't agree on the rating you have given. There were few flaws but it is at least 3.5/5 because the few flaws and few second of "overacting" can be ignored. Overall it was a great watch with strong performance.
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