'Aashram Chapter 2' Review: Prakash Jha-Bobby Deol's show is slow-paced, monotonous

'Aashram Chapter 2' 

Cast: Bobby Deol, Aaditi Pohankar, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Anupriya Goenka, Tridha Choudhury, Tushar Pandey, Vikram Kochchar, Darshan Kumaar, Adhyayan Suman, Rajeev Siddhartha

Director: Prakash Jha

Duration: Nine episodes (six for approximately 40 mins, two for approximately 52 minutes)

Stars: 1.5/5

Where to Watch: MX Player

'Aashram Chapter 2' Story:

Continuing the saga of Baba Nirala's dark world, 'Aashram Chapter 2' shows his various sides - in politics and illegal activities. A few characters gather to expose his dirty secrets, but will they be successful, make up the rest of the story. 'Pammi', played by Aaditi Pohankar, is also out to take revenge for herself and her family, but will she be successful?

'Aashram Chapter 2' Review: 

Bobby Deol has returned as 'Baba Nirala' in the web show 'Aashram's Chapter 2. The actor has limited scenes in this season which actually tap into his potential. For the most episodes, Bobby carries a poker face, which becomes monotonous after a point.

In fact the whole show, directed by Prakash Jha, becomes monotonous for five seasons straight. Each character has a specific set of emotion or action which goes on for the five seasons on a loop. Baba has no care to give, Pammi is sad, all women around feel bad for her - is the only tone of the show for the episodes.

Very rarely do any of the characters get to explore their potential fully, which is exhausting to watch. Despite placing characters at an unusual time, there is no big plot twist. Like Beena would tell Akhanand in 'Mirzapur' 'hamesha garam karke thanda chodh dete ho,' seems to be the technique Jha used on the viewers.

Darshan Kumaar, Anupriya Goenka and Rajeev Siddhartha go undercover in the infamous 'Aashram' and all hell breaks loose. It would not be wrong to say that the trio, especially Anupriya, brings in the most colour in the second chapter of the show, but they also get sucked by the poor direction after a point.

Tridha Choudhury is a surprise package, but she also gets to explore her full potential in just a scene or two. Undoubtedly, she brought in the best in the two scenes.

'Aashram: Chapter 2' has constantly worked on music over relying on the actors for their brilliance in acting. It seems as though Prakash Jha was not confident of his cast or the script.

The five episodes constantly have Adhyayan Suman's long shot and him screaming 'Baba laayenge kraanti', which only appears to be a drag in most places.

His role as 'Tinka Singh' in the first season had promised something big for him in the second chapter, but that does not happen, which is disappointing. The actor did not even get a dialogue with Baba Nirala or his associates like 'Bhopa' Chandan Roy Sanyal, so that audiences could get to see the 'youth icon' Tinka Singh's temper meet with Baba Nirala's, again.

The script in the second chapter is strong enough and it could bring out the absolute best in the actors, had it not been for the constant background music overdramatizing every moment and fading out the possibility of good acting. There are also moments when one might feel that a character (best examples - Aaditi Pohankar, Chandan Roy Sanyal) was forced to abuse on screen. These are the scenes where their acting was enough.

The storyline slowly picks up after the sixth episode and things start falling into place. By the ninth episode, the show is in its full pace and finally, there is the drama, action and hope of a better third chapter.

'Pammi' Aaditi Pohankar finally realizes the whole truth about her family vs Baba Nirala by the end of the second chapter, and she takes matters in her own hands. Her fate would be decided in the third chapter of the season.

Or is it decided already? Is 'Pammi' the girl who gives Baba nightmares? Is she the same girl who 'Bhopa' said he killed in the forest? These questions are sure to arise by the end of chapter two, and answers are expected from the third chapter.

'Aashram Chapter 2' verdict:

Unlike the first part, Prakash Jha-Bobby Deol's 'Aashram: Chapter 2' is monotonous with its scenes, and has focused on music over acting, which gets disappointing soon enough.