Dhootha Review: Absorbing horror mystery thriller that will keep you till the end
Dhootha Web Series Rating: 3.5 Stars
Finally watched Dhootha Web Series in Hindi on Hotstar. So, let’s analyze the cast, release date, story, positive/negatives and at last my personal view on this web series.
Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Prachi Desai, Gnaneswari Kandregula, Anish Kuruvilla, Tharun Bhascker, Rohini, Tanikella Bharani, Priya Bhavani Shankar and Pasupathy
Director: Vikram Kumar
Release Date: 1st December 2023 on Prime Video
Duration: 8 Episodes/ 40 Minutes
Story: Movie revolves around Sagar (Naga Chaitanya) who is a revered and influential journalist with a vast network, assumes the role of chief editor at the prominent newspaper, Samacharam. His wife Priya (Priya Bhavani Shanker) is also an accomplished journalist herself and their daughter Anjali along with their pet dog form a close-knit family.
On the inaugural night of his media house, Sagar comes across a piece of newspaper in a nearby Dhaba, which carries the information of his pet dog’s death, with details down to the T. Although this creeps Sagar out, he doesn’t think much of it. As days pass, he keeps getting clues about the deaths of his near and dear ones through these newspaper bits.
The incidents which follow also force Sagar to take up criminal ways and it brings the DCP Kranthi (Parvathy Thiruvothu) on his tail. She is on her mission to enquire about these mysterious deaths. And she finds out that Sagar is not innocent even though he’s been losing people one after another. Why is he being targeted? What is the backstory for him to go through paranormal activities? Will he put the jigsaw pieces together?
Positives
1. Performances
2. Story
3. Direction
4. Screenplay
5. Cinematography
6. Background Music
Negatives
1. Length
2. Unnecessary sub-plots
3. Flashback portion
4. Repetitive at some places
5. Dialogues
Durgesh Tiwary’s View: When I watched the trailer of this web-series, planned to watch this series in free time as trailer looks engaging and loved other south Indian series Suzhal.
An ambitious journalist Sagar realizes that people close to him are dying gruesome deaths, all of which are predicted by newspaper clippings he finds around him. Hard-nosed cop Kranthi begins investigating the deaths, even as the body count rises and things get grimmer and grislier. Will Sagar be able to stop the killings once and for all?
Dhootha is a completely unique take on the supernatural horror genre. Narrative centers on enigmatic newspaper clippings wreaking havoc in the lives of Sagar, his family, and close associates. A departure from conventional horror tropes, the storyline is characterized by its engaging premise, devoid of usual horror clichés. Despite occasional predictability, it sustains viewer interest through its dark and intense plot. While the series boasts brilliant moments, a more tightly woven narrative and heightened suspense would have elevated its impact. The production values are commendable, characterized by top-notch cinematography and special effects that effectively create a haunting atmosphere, imperative for a horror series. Thrilling moments keep coming our way continuously. The way a few deaths are showcased is breathtaking, and these crime scenes keep us on the edge of our seats. There are multiple layers and characters in the show. In the end, all the dots are connected neatly. Every character keeps driving the story forward. The outstanding element of the storytelling is the way the deaths have been picturized. Above all performances of lead and supporting cast has been fantastic.
On the flipside, the flashback portions didn’t make much impact. The scenes in these flashback portions could have been executed in a better manner, as this is where the series lacks the punch. Also, it could have done with a shorter runtime for a better impact. Particularly, the pacing drops in the mid-episodes. Another major flaw was the dip in the quality of dialogues, as well as acting, which, at times, seemed more as if the actors were in a theater play. The story could have been told in half the time, had the makers so decided. The final episode is a bit over-the-top and dramatic in an unrealistic way.
Overall, series offers a compelling watch for enthusiasts of the supernatural-horror genre. It is a captivating mystery thriller that has a good number of interesting moments. It is gripping, suspenseful, fast-paced, and keeps you invested in the story till the very end. The supernatural premise may be done to death certainly, but the absorbing story and its treatment lure you into overlooking that one flaw. My view on this web-series is Highly Recommended.
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