As 2021 draws to a close, stars recommend the one movie, series or a classic that should be on your must-watch list
Karan Patel, Maanvi Gagroo, Akshay Oberio and Tanuj Virwani
Akshay Oberoi - Tabbar
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The digital space has upped the content game, leading to a renaissance of sorts in Hindi cinema. And there is no greater example of what I mean than Tabbar. It tells the story of a Punjabi family but there are no “sarson ke khet” in the show. In fact, there is nothing conventional about Tabbar. It is subdued, menacing and, authentic. I hope more people watch this absolute gem. The director was also the associate [director] on Gurgaon, but the bias aside, I feel the it is the best show of the year, thanks to taut direction, writing and brilliant performances.
Tanuj Virwani - Ethos
Ethos is great! It is part drama and part thriller that is set in Istanbul where different characters, mostly women, cross paths. The cinematography is reminiscent of the Japanese style of Kazuo Miyagawa. The dialogues are great, there is good banter [between characters] and the storyline is consistently gripping. I don’t remember how I came across the show [this year], but it is definitely something people should watch.
Maanvi Gagroo - I May Destroy You
The show [though released in 2020] is underrated and something that everyone should watch. Especially if you’re single, living the urban life, juggling an active dating life and a hectic professional front. It is [meant for] adults and not suited for a family audience, but if you are someone who finds woke terminology confusing or is still struggling with understanding consent in relationships, this show is for you. It also represents gender and sexual fluidity well. The normalised on-screen representation is refreshing.
Vijayendra Kumeria - House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths
The docu-series has only three episodes. It is based on a true story about what happened in Burari in 2018 when 11 members of a family were found dead. It goes beyond what we know about this case from media reports. House of Secrets will make you realise that talking about mental health is important and [how] the stigma leads to such tragedies.
Amol Parashar - Joji
I loved the ingenuity of the film made during the lockdown; in and around one house with the members of one family. The characters are relatable, the humour is dark and quirky. The performances are top-notch. Precisely the kind of film I would have loved to be a part of.
Raj Singh Arora - Normal People and Scenes from a Marriage
Normal People [released in 2020] is based on the Sally Rooney book of the same name. She is a post-millennial author who has written three books. I am on the third one right now. Her most popular book was Normal People, which she turned into a series with BBC. It dropped on Lionsplay (in India). Normal People is one of the rare instances where the show is better than the book. Interestingly, Rooney is also the creative writer on the show. While it discusses sex and relationships, it beautifully captures deep silences and explains the complexities of young love. My other pick is the HBO series Scenes from a Marriage. It is inspired by the 1973 Ingmar Bergman film. Bergman had made a six-hour television show in Sweden called Scenes from a Marriage. By the second episode, it is traumatic, universal and realistic exploration of a marriage or a relationship between a man and a woman. People who haven’t seen this show will be shell shocked by the five-episode series, starring gems like Oscar Issac and Jessica Chastain.
Karan Patel - The Wire
This is one series which doesn’t lose its clarity and vision. It starts small to cover the broader plot. For those who love reading, this series plays out like a novel; so beautifully captured frame to frame and depicted elegantly by actors so apt for the role. The cinematography and script is breathtaking for someone who is impatient like me. Written by David Simon, it is one of the most critically appreciated series [released in 2002] ever. And, it is also one of Barack Obama’s favourites.
Naveen Kasturia - Maid
The last show that I really loved was Maid. I don’t know if it’s popular in India or not. But I quite liked it. The series is real, engaging, but also disturbing. I love survival stories. And this is a survival story in a way. Acting [of the cast] is top notch.
Ssumier Pasricha - Maid
I would recommend people to watch Maid on Netflix. The series demonstrates how emotional abuse looks, feels, and can affect you. Over 10 episodes, we see [the protagonist’s] struggle to survive, anchored only by her low-paid job as a house-maid and her fierce love for her daughter. It may not have the same bloody thrills as the mega-hit Squid Game, but Maid is a visceral, heart-wrenching drama about the true struggles of poverty and motherhood. It’s not an easy watch, but worth your time.
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