As revealed by its teaser and songs, the upcoming Hoichoi series Talmar Romeo Juliet, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, promises an exciting bag of entertainment complete with romance, comedy, tragedy, action and violence. The trailer of the show which dropped recently, reinforces these themes and heightens expectations of a tense, thrilling viewing experience.
The two-and-a-half-minute clipping from the show provides enough hints of the basic plotline and the complexities that ensue, without divulging consequences. The main characters Rana and Jahanara, played by debutants Debdutta Raha and Hiya Roy respectively, demonstrate fantastic chemistry as the pair of young star-crossed lovers. The trailer reveals the various stages of their love story in greater detail, focusing attention on their probable elopement and escape. The two newcomers play their roles well, carving out their character arcs from lovers to committed partners, willing to sacrifice their all for the sake of love.
Unlike the teaser that drew attention to their passionate love for each other, the trailer shows them to be more sensitive, mature individuals who take full responsibility for their actions and are aware of the implications of the same. Rana's firm determination to honour his love and protect his lover is set against Jahanara's anxiety, anger and sadness. Expressed beautifully by the actors, these scenes add a touch of pathos and poignancy to the trailer, which is otherwise full of scenes of violence.
Anirban Bhattacharya, who appears to play a role parallel to that of Tybalt's in the original, is depicted as the key antagonist and somebody who bears a wicked and vengeful attitude. His rough, unsophisticated look in the trailer matches that of his nature and character. Physical violence along with vulgar, abusive language, sometimes laden with innuendoes, are the norm when his character looms over the screen. Formidable, powerful and shocking at the same time, his screen presence promises to deliver some of the most high-octane moments of this timeless tale of romance and revenge.
The trailer though leaves the audience guessing as to whether the fate of the lovers is any different from the original in this adaptation of the tragic tale. Blending moments of beauty, joy and romance with scenes invoking fear, violence and hatred, the trailer is indicative of the rollercoaster journey that awaits viewers of the web series. Directed by debutant Arpan Garai and supported by Bhattacharya in creative direction, Talmar Romeo Juliet starts streaming on Hoichoi on November 15.
