Cast Highlights: Karan Tacker, Kalki Koechlin, Saloni Batra, Danish Sood, Shubham Chaudhary
Director: Robbie Grewal
Synopsis
“BHAY – THE GAURAV TIWARI MYSTERY” follows the controversial journey of Gaurav Tiwari, portrayed by Karan Tacker, set in 2006. In Delhi, Gaurav is at a house party where his friends attempt to contact the spirit of the host’s grandmother. Gaurav becomes a medium for the spirit, which he initially dismisses as a joke. However, his friend Buggy believes it was real. Gaurav later joins the Sherwood Flying Club in the UK to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot. During a near-fatal plane crash, a spirit aids him, prompting Gaurav to explore the paranormal. After being dismissed from the flying school due to disbelief from his superiors, Gaurav returns to India, founding the Indian Paranormal Society with Megha, Siddharth, and Raj. As they investigate cases across the country, Gaurav’s mysterious death on July 7, 2006, prompts author Irene Venkat to write about him, uncovering links to past investigations.
Story Review
Inspired by Abhirup Dhar’s book, “Ghost Hunter Gaurav Tiwari: The Life and Legacy of India’s Foremost Paranormal Investigator,” the series offers a unique take on the horror genre. Arshad Syed’s screenplay effectively uses a non-linear narrative to maintain viewer interest, complemented by engaging dialogues. Robbie Grewal directs with a focus on pacing, creating suspenseful moments that fit the show’s tone. While the first episode is the longest at 50 minutes, the remaining seven episodes are shorter but impactful, especially in connecting past cases to Gaurav’s death. However, despite some successful elements, the series sometimes lacks the fear factor expected from a paranormal thriller.
Performance Analysis
Karan Tacker delivers a compelling performance, adding depth to his character. Kalki Koechlin’s role is significant, and she performs reliably. Saloni Batra, Danish Sood, and Shubham Chaudhary provide strong support. Nimisha Nair and Chinmaya Sharma add quality with their limited screen time, while Adarsh Marathe stands out in his role.
Technical Aspects
The series has no songs but benefits from Sangeet and Siddharth Haldipur’s effective background score. Aditya Kapur’s cinematography, including some found-footage style scenes, enhances the viewing experience. The production design by Mayur Tripathi and Srishti Rungta is somewhat theatrical, while Sachin Lovalekar’s costumes fit the narrative. The visual effects are generally suitable, though occasionally subpar. Archit D Rasstogi’s editing is competent.
Conclusion
“BHAY – THE GAURAV TIWARI MYSTERY” is an intriguing take on paranormal investigations, highlighted by a strong central performance from Karan Tacker. Despite limited promotion, the show has the potential to attract a wide audience through word of mouth.
Rating: 3 stars
