Asur (web series)

Asur is an Indian Hindi-language crime thriller web series, produced by Tanveer Bookwala of Ding Entertainment for the video on demand platform Voot. The series stars Arshad Warsi, Barun Sobti, Sharib Hashmi and Amey Wagh. The series is set in the context of a modern day serial killer with religious ties. Arshad Warsi made his OTT debut through this series.[3] The second season of Asur will premiere on JioCinema on 1 June 2023.

Kavishala Review:

ASUR 2 continues the gripping tale of an enigmatic figure wreaking havoc across the nation. Picking up immediately after the events of the first installment, the season delves deeper into the aftermath. Dhananjay Rajpoot, also known as DJ (played by Arshad Warsi), finds himself disillusioned after failing to apprehend the elusive Shubh Joshi. Seeking solace, he flees to Dharamshala and seeks refuge in a monastery. There, he encounters a young boy named Anant (Atharva Vishwakarma), who possesses profound insights into the complexities of life.

Meanwhile, Nikhil Nair (Barun Sobti) is tormented by the loss of his daughter, Rhea, while his shattered wife, Naina (Anupriya Goenka), tirelessly searches for Swati, the perpetrator responsible for Rhea's demise. Eventually, Naina's efforts bear fruit as she tracks down Swati in Manali. On the other hand, Shubh cryptically notifies the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) of his intention to simultaneously kill three individuals at 9:05 pm. Although he leaves clues regarding the location, he withholds the identities of his targets. Despite the CBI's best endeavors, Shubh manages to eliminate all three victims, leaving the authorities perplexed as to how they all succumbed to heart attacks at precisely the same time.

Simultaneously, Ishani (Adithi Kalkunte Shyamprasad) joins the CBI, exhibiting sharp intellect and perceptiveness. While investigating the murder case of Officer Lolark Dubey (Sharib Hashmi), she suspects Rasul Shaikh (Amey Wagh) as the culprit. However, lacking concrete evidence, her senior, Shashank Awasthi (Pawan Chopra), and later Nikhil, dismiss her observations. As the CBI grapples with the task of apprehending Shubh and preventing further murders, an unexpected development arises. The Anti-Terrorist Force (ATF), led by Officer Paul (Meiyang Chang), takes charge of the case. Nikhil, Nusrat Saeed (Ridhi Dogra), Naina, Ishani, and Rasul are compelled to collaborate with Paul, leading to disagreements and clashes.

The subsequent events form the crux of the series. The story crafted by Gaurav Shukla and Abhijeet Khuman is thrilling and commendable. Their screenplay effectively engages the audience, offering a constant stream of intriguing developments. The characterizations of Shubh and his thought process are particularly remarkable, showcasing the writers' skill in fleshing out complex individuals. The powerful dialogues by Gaurav Shukla, Abhijeet Khuman, and Suraj Gianani, especially those delivered by Shubh and the prodigious Anant, contribute significantly to the impactful nature of ASUR 2. Indeed, without these hard-hitting one-liners, the series would not have achieved the desired impact.

Director Oni Sen's work is exceptional, elevating the tension to new heights compared to the previous season. He adeptly handles character arcs, particularly shining in his portrayal of Shubh. Viewers gain deeper insight into Shubh's journey and true motives. The manner in which he outwits the CBI, keeping them on edge, makes for a riveting watch. Furthermore, Sen seamlessly blends the tracks of DJ, Naina, Nikhil, Nusrat, and others with the main narrative. One notable achievement is that despite spanning eight episodes, the series never succumbs to monotony or sluggish pacing.

Kavishala Ratting: 8/10

Cast: Arshad Warsi. Barun Sobti, Riddhi Dogra, Anupriya Goenka, Sharib Hashmi, Pawan Chopra, Amey Wagh

Writer: Gaurav Shukla

Director: Oni Sen