Summer Review: What was Tigmanshu Dhulia’s return to Allahabad, read review of web series ‘Summer’

The trailer of the web series ‘Garmi’ using Tigmanshu Dhulia’s name as a brand makes one curious to watch it. The story begins in Lalganj, 130 km from Trivenipur, a fictional city that looks like Allahabad, where a teacher is worried about his young son. The son is stupid. He cannot bear his father’s disrespect and abuses his mother in front of the shopkeeper. Tigmanshu is later shown confronting the same son for abusing a senior in the university mess. The entry of this character named Arvind Shukla has taken place in the hostel with the grace of student union president Bindu Singh. However, he simultaneously continues to sow the seeds of war between the Kshatriyas and the Brahmins. There is a Kotwal whose status is so high that he can kick the office of Vice Chancellor of the University. The story that begins with the Butcher Mohalla bombing dates back to the time when the videos started going viral. Those who know Uttar Pradesh can understand that these two eras are at least 30 years apart in the criminal world of Uttar Pradesh.

The biggest feature of the web series ‘Garmi’ is the use of local language in it. Tigmanshu has mastered the language of the streets of Allahabad, he has seen and heard every bully of the youth here. In an attempt to relive its early days on screen, where Anurag Kashyap’s shadow falls in Tigmanshu’s writing, the series falls apart. The series shows such a disgusting use of the third degree in police interrogations that one might feel nauseous if one really started watching the series for entertainment. Apart from the sub-dialect in the script of the series, there is nothing that distinguishes it from ‘Mirzapur’, ‘Jabalpur’ or ‘Jamatara’. The creative team at SonyLIV is trapped in a universe in which they are becoming less and less aware of their own audience’s tastes and preferences.

Talking about acting, this series belongs to Vyom Yadav. Vyom has done a tremendous job in the character of Arvind Shukla. If he gets good opportunities in future too, he can do miracles. Her eyes are similar to Irrfan Khan and she brings Irrfan’s colors in her acting too. Tigmanshu may have more hand in it, but if it was Punit Singh could have shown Ashutosh Rana-like attitude, but his acting is not. The names of Vineet Kumar and Jatin Goswami also increase the curiosity to watch the series. Vineet Kumar has done a good job as Mathadhish Baba. His scenes depicting wrestling moves in the arena are impressive. This series is a wake-up call for Jatin Goswami as Mritunjay Singh’s character is not shedding any new light on his aura.

With the help of web series ‘Gaarmi’, Sony Liv is trying to increase downloads of its OTT app in B and C category cities. However, its technical flaws are a major hindrance in making it a watchable series. The montage of the series’ opening credits is a negative exaggeration of fantasy. There is nothing in the cinematography that surprises anyone. In the early episodes, a few dance tricks or an Alha-like show could hook the village audience, but this bombastic series doesn’t think beyond its thick surface.


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