Art is said to imitate life, but what about a web series based on a real-life incident that’s loaded with sensitivity in terms of politics, power and ideology? Sudhir Mishra's Jehanabad — Of Love And War, inspired by the 2005 jailbreak in Bihar’s Jehanabad, manages to find a convenient compromise between truth and fiction by setting a small-town love story against harsh realities of caste politics and insurgence.
Featuring Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritwik Bhowmik, Harshita Shekhar Gaur and Rajat Kapoor in key roles, the SonyLIV thriller drama begins with Kasturi Mishra (Harshita Shekhar Gaur), a young girl decked up in the bridal attire, awaiting the arrival of her groom Abhimanyu Singh (Ritwik Bhowmik) on November 13, 2005. However, the moment the baraat reaches her doorstep, a group of insurgents kidnap him at gunpoint, leaving Kasturi baffled. There is a bigger conspiracy at play behind the incident, which unfolds over 10 episodes in flashbacks.
Parambrata Chattopadhyay plays a Naxal leader, Deepak Kumar, whose presence in Jehanabad jail becomes a cause of concern for SP Durgesh Pratap Singh (Satyadeep Mishra) and jailor Tripathi (Ramakant Daayama). Sitting behind bars, Deepak, whose ruthless side has been portrayed to the point of perfection by Parmabrata, plots a jailbreak and continues to communicate with his group through others.
There’s more to the story — 2005 is also the election year in Bihar and former MLA Shivanand Singh (Rajat Kapoor) is hoping to win back his seat from the sitting MLA by wooing the Dalits in his constituency. Rajat Kapoor is brilliant in the role of this quirky mufassil politician desperate to hold onto power at any cost.
Against this backdrop of political skullduggery and bloodshed, a love story slowly blossoms. Kasturi, a young college student, falls for her English professor, Abhimanyu. Harshita aces the role of the rebellious girl, while Ritwik is the textbook chocolate boy straight out of a ’90s romcom. However, Abhimanyu’s character undergoes a massive transformation midway, and he is equally impressive in the new avatar.
Sonal Jha, who plays Kasturi’s mother, deserves a special mention for her heartfelt and credible performance. She initially rejects the idea of her daughter’s union with Abhimanyu because of her reservations against inter-caste marriage. But she ultimately gives in, becoming fond of her future son-in-law over time.
Directed by Rajeev Barnwal and co-directed by Satyanshu Singh, Jehanabad captures the mood of a small town in Bihar with authentic finesse. Xoaher Musavvir’s cinematography also helps build the rustic feel of the hinterlands. The unhurried pace lets us become acquainted with the characters without rushing into the core plot of the jailbreak.
Jehanabad also strikes a chord for its soulful score. Melodies like O Piya and Kahin Kuch Toota Hoga will surely tug at your heartstrings, while Laal Salaam is a catchy number queering the pitch for the ideological battle the series is based on.
The only bone to pick in this show is the convoluted ending. Kasturi landing up on the jail premises and getting caught up in the crossfire between the police and the rebels stretches the limits of logic. The shocking cliffhanger, which keeps hopes alive for a second season, leaves us with more questions than answers.
