Lootere Review: Hansal Mehta’s Gripping Thriller Bogged Down By Subplot Overload, Saved By Performances!
It's a good watch!
3 / 5
In the sprawling sea of content that Disney Plus Hotstar offers, Lootere comes forward as Hansal Mehta’s determined voyage into the wild waters of high-tides and drama, promising a gripping narrative soaked in dread and resilience. Directed by Jay Mehta and with the camaraderie of Hansal Mehta as the showrunner, this series takes you through the story of an Indian ship hijacking in Somalian waters. The series is set to release on March 22, 2024, and the story is quite a new touch with the cross-border survival thriller themes. Despite solid performances by Rajat Kapoor, Vivek Gomber, Amruta Khanvilkar and more, this Hansal Mehta series hovers in limbo between its promising storyline and the tight execution it misses at times but the exceptional cast takes it forward smoothly, resulting in a good viewing experience.
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Plot
The plot of Lootere unveils a canvas soaked in action and drama, where the vast ocean becomes a wild battleground for survival. The story revolves around the thrilling narrative of a ship being hijacked in Somalian waters with a shipment that has multiple power figures involved in its consignment. Lootere aims to chart their fight against a backdrop of power, greed and persistent struggle for freedom. Vikrant Gandhi played by Vivek Gomber, an ambitious businessman and a central character in this thriller series, struggles to maintain his foothold amidst the dual challenges of political strife in Somalia and the trials of his various business ventures, all while battling feelings of inferiority as he strives to keep his power intact. With 8 episodes, the series has a lot of characters entering with a power dynamic that revolves around greed and the fight for survival.
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Performances
A stellar cast led by Rajat Kapoor, Vivek Gomber, Amruta Khanvilkar and Chandan Roy Sanyal, Lootere brings a grounded portrayal to the high-stakes drama unfolding on the high sees. Rajat Kapoor who plays the captain of the ship, works his way with a calm yet authoritative presence, counterbalanced by Vivek Gomber’s charismatic performance to gain power. Vikrant’s wife Avika played by Amruta Khanvilkar manages to keep the balance between the ocean-driven sequences and the ground reality of Somalia. Aamir Ali stepping into the series brings a lot more to help drive the story forward.
With production by Shailesh R Singh’s Karna Media an entertainment, alongside an excellent team of writers including Jay Mehta and Vaibhav Vishal, the series attempts to portray authentic and expanding storytelling. Amruta Khanvilkar’s performance is exceptional with her way of using power with utmost precision and resilience. Performances of other actors including Gaurav K. Sharma, Martial Batchamen, Gaurav Paswala, Preetika Chawla and more were highly commendable and quite gripping. The portrayals of both the pirates and the ship’s crew, amidst their intense two-week struggle, were notably impressive.
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Also Read: Yodha Review: Forced Plot Twists, Lack Of Character Arc Make Sidharth Malhotra, Raashii Khanna’s Film Tough To Watch
Sound, Screenplay And Setting
Lootere’s screenplay was exceptionally written in various instances keeping me at the edge of my seat with the thrilling cinematography and BGM. The element of frustration and the long-going struggle was aptly conveyed through the dialogues by the ensemble cast, keeping us grounded to the realities of being stuck in a place where you don’t belong but at the same time wanting to gain the power and trust to make it easier to fit in. The series beautifully weaves the cultural elements of the place that it is set in by the addition of sounds and music that keep the authenticity of the storyline flowing. The opening soundtrack, with its Somali-infused music, adds a realistic touch to the narrative, keeping it grounded. Special acknowledgement goes to the outstanding work on the introductory sequence, giving us a gripping soundtrack and commendable editing.
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What Could’ve Been Better
Given that the performances are exceptionally well-portrayed and the dialogue writing was quite gripping, what could be done better is the way of delivering the series. Hansal Mehta’s Lootere starts with the introduction of many important characters that play a vital role in the narrative, what is lacking here though is the crispness of making the series one of its kind. Given the backdrop of Lootere, Bollywood’s take on a survival thriller set in the vast ocean isn’t entirely novel. However, the incorporation of international waters and the harsh reality of Somalia adds a fresh perspective. Yet, a tighter narrative with fewer unnecessary details could have heightened the intensity. Despite this, there were moments that left a profound impact, keeping me engaged. With some trimming of prolonged sequences, the series could have been even more gripping.
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Also Read: Scoop Review: Hansal Mehta Show Is A Gripping Thriller, Karishma Tanna Delivers A Power-Packed Performance
Verdict
Directed by Jay Mehta and guided by the seasoned hand of Hansal Mehta, this thriller series does keep the promise of an immersive experience, in most instances. The series works its way up in its portrayal of characters grappling with the grim circumstances of survival in the wild waters of Somalia. The cast led by led by Rajat Kapoor, Vivek Gomber, Amruta Khanvilkar, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Martial Batcheman, Gaurav Paswala, and more takes the series forward with their exceptional performances as they stand out for their authenticity and their emotional depth. The culturally driven setting paired with the cinematography and exceptional sound engineering makes the narrative gripping. Some sequences manage to transport you into the heart of the action, making the stakes and struggles feel palpable.
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Yet, the series does have its drawbacks. The pacing can be uneven, slowing down the momentum and diluting the tension. Furthermore, while the plot is intricate, some subplots feel unnecessary or not fully explored, lacking the tight focus needed for a more impactful narrative. Despite these shortcomings, Lootere remains a compelling watch for those drawn to its premise and strong performances. With its gripping drama and moments of intense suspense, the series offers enough excitement to keep viewers invested till the very end.
Lootere is streaming now on Disney Plus Hotstar.
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