A regular viewer of the Criminal Justice series on Disney+ Hotstar knows that this courtroom drama focuses on proving that the accused in a gruesome crime is actually innocent. The third season of the series, Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach, directed by Rohan Sippy, is no different. An engaging screenplay and top-notch acting make this eight-episode season an instant hit.
The premise
The story this season revolves around the mysterious death of a popular celebrity kid Zara (Deshna Dugad). Her step-brother Mukul (Aaditya Gupta), the prime suspect in this case, is arrested. On the one hand, London-returned lawyer Lekha (Sweta Basu Prasad), the public prosecutor in this case, fights hard to ensure Mukul receives the harshest punishment. On the other, the ‘hero’ of this series lawyer, Madhav Mishra (Pankaj Tripathi), is entrusted with the task of proving Mukul’s innocence.
Social media’s toll on mental health
One of the highlights this season is the conversation around the impact of social media on mental health. Zara is only 16 years old but cannot live a carefree teenager’s life. She must protect her image as Bittu, the character she plays in a popular television show. We are also made aware of the impact even a casual remark on social media might have on the person it is addressed to.
A family of strained relationships
Despite being a murder mystery, the story deals with several socially relevant issues. The glittering lifestyle of the upper class is contrasted with the middle class lifestyle.
The life of wealth and luxury tries to hide the strained relationships between Zara’s immediate family members — her step-mother Avantika (Swastika Mukherjee), her father Neeraj (Purab Kohli) and her step-brother Mukul. It is evident in the pent-up anger, the ego tussles and the emotional outbursts.
In the Ahuja household, Zara is the main breadwinner. She is forced to do interviews against her will to make some more money. The 16-year-old wants to lead a normal life but her career as a TV star gets in the way. Mukul is recovering from drug addiction, with a past history of violence. The man of the house, Neeraj, takes solace in the bottle as he scrambles to manage the finances. Avantika, his wife, tries hard to keep up appearances.
Different shades of marriage
Marital relationships also form one of the pillars of the third season of the Criminal Justice series. The simplicity of Pankaj Tripathi and Kalyani's marriage is in contrast to Avantika and Neeraj’s, whose relationship reaches breaking point after Zara’s death and the possibility of Mukul being the murderer. Avantika’s ex-husband, Arvind (Gaurav Garg), adds to Neeraj’s woes after he emerges as one of Avantika’s support systems during Mukul’s trial.
Edgy courtroom drama
One of the reasons why this series manages to engage the audience is the taut screenplay. Every episode ends with a cliffhanger. There are heated arguments in the courtroom between Lekha and Madhav Mishra, none of them willing to concede ground. The banter between the two lawyers makes for a good binge watch.
The makers have also shed light on the murky world of juvenile homes. Rampant drug use, attempts of prison break, bullying and physical violence — the life of minor undertrials behind bars is explored with stoic maturity. The corruption in police ranks was highlighted in the previous seasons too. ‘Adhura Sach’ builds on the premise in the third season.
Commendable performances
Pankaj Tripathi delivers a standout act, yet again — from his quirky dialogue delivery to the way he looks at the camera. Shweta Basu Prasad as his opponent steps up too. She is steadfast in her goal to win the case at hand, whether or not it serves justice.
Among the supporting cast, Swastika Mukherjee as the helpless mother is riveting. Aaditya portrays the character of a troubled teen to perfection, switching from a privileged brat to a grief-stricken brother and a young boy desperate to break free from prison. Purab and Gaurav also shine in their respective roles.
