Review of "The Trial: Pyaar Kaanoon Dhokha" Web Series: Bollywood News
"The Trial: Pyaar Kaanoon Dhokha" Web Series Review: A Gripping Family Drama with Strong Performances
chandni
"The Trial" follows the journey of Noyonika Sengupta (played by Kajol), a homemaker married to Additional Judge Rajiv Sengupta (Jisshu Sengupta). Their lives take a devastating turn when Rajiv's involvement with an escort, Tina, is exposed through a viral video. Rajiv faces accusations of bribery, leading to his arrest and the freezing of the Sengupta family's assets. Noyonika and her daughters are forced to move to a smaller house and she is compelled to resume her career in law. Noyonika joins Ahuja Khanna Choubey & Associates (AKC Associates), a law firm led by Vishal Choubey (Alyy Khan), her former flame. Alongside her, junior lawyer Dheeraj Paswan (Gaurav Pandey) also joins the firm, creating a competitive dynamic as they vie for a permanent position. Amidst the challenges of her professional life, Noyonika must also confront the fallout from her husband's scandalous video. The series delves into how she navigates these difficulties and safeguards her daughters' hope.
"The Trial: Pyaar Kaanoon Dhokha" Web Series Review
Based on the American show "The Good Wife," "The Trial" condenses the original series' 23 episodes into 8 episodes. Each episode showcases Noyonika's courtroom battles. The writers, Abbas Dalal, Hussain Dalal, and Siddharth Kumar, successfully adapt the show to an Indian context, introducing original cases instead of relying on the source material. The screenplay maintains an engaging pace, leaving little room for boredom. However, certain developments lack believability. The dialogues, penned by Abbas Dalal, Hussain Dalal, and Siddharth Kumar, are straightforward, although a few one-liners deserve applause.
Director Suparn S Varma's work is decent, presenting a simple yet engaging narrative. Each episode, spanning 35-40 minutes, maintains a pleasing rhythm. Moreover, "The Trial" distinguishes itself as more than just a typical courtroom drama by delving into the family's crisis, evoking emotional resonance. The series displays meticulous research, effectively depicting the tactics employed by lawyers to secure victories. Notably, the subplot involving a news anchor's defamation lawsuit stands out as the show's highlight. The complicated relationship between Noyonika and her ex-lover adds further intrigue. The series concludes on an intriguing note, hinting at a potential sequel.
On the downside, the first six episodes lack standout moments. While viewers will remain engaged, they won't be overwhelmed or moved to tears by the Sengupta family's challenges. Some of the cases fail to make the desired impact, particularly the storyline involving the deceased music composer, which proves the weakest among the various subplots. The cases of the deceased cricketer and security guard come across as overly convenient. The resolution of the subplot involving an HR professional's extramarital affair lacks proper explanation, especially regarding Noyonika's actions. Lastly, Kishore Ahuja's abrupt decision to leave the firm feels implausible, given the absence of solid grounds.
In terms of performances, Kajol delivers a stellar portrayal as always. Her role demands a powerhouse performance, and she succeeds admirably, displaying emotional depth in both dramatic and courtroom scenes. Kubbra Sait shines as Sana, bringing a cool and compelling presence to her character. Aseem Hattangadi surprises with a natural performance and a well-written character. Jisshu Sengupta, though decent, gets overshadowed in the ensemble cast. Alyy Khan leaves a lasting impression, while Sheeba Chaddha proves dependable. Kiran Kumar's portrayal tends to be over the top, in line with his character's requirements. Gaurav Pandey delivers a splendid performance, showcasing powerful dialogue delivery. Some supporting actors, including Shruti Bisht, Suhani Juneja, Aditi Singh, Arjun Kachroo, Suchitra Pillai, Karim Hajee, and Flora Saini, also deliver noteworthy performances.
Siddharth and Sangeet Haldipur's catchy music in the opening credits adds to the series' appeal, while their background score contributes a touch of class. Manoj Soni's cinematography is neat, and Priya Suhas' production design deserves praise for creating authentic courtroom sets. Theia Tekchandaney's costumes aptly reflect the characters' personalities, particularly those worn by Kajol. Ninad Khanolkar's editing is appropriate in maintaining the series' flow.
