Religion, caste, politics- MX Player’s Aashram is a social commentary that shoul

Started by Kumar G, Aug 29, 2020, 10:47 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

Kumar G

Religion, caste, politics- MX Player's Aashram is a social commentary that should not be missed


The world of shady godmen interspersed with the evils of the caste system and exploitation of women in the name of religion, Aashram makes for a heady cocktail that is not only a social commentary, it also makes one sit up and take notice.




In this pandemic world, movie theatres have taken a backseat and OTT platforms have emerged as the god of entertainment. With big movies and series now releasing on these platforms, one just cannot have enough. Veteran director Prakash Jha's first web series has now dropped on MX Player and has everything you would need to binge-watch over the weekend. The world of shady godmen interspersed with the evils of the caste system and exploitation of women in the name of religion, Aashram makes for a heady cocktail that is not only a social commentary, it also makes one sit up and take notice. With Bobby Deol, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and Darshan Kumar being prominent names in the star cast, supported by Aaditi Pohankar, Anupriya Goenka, Adhyayan Suman, Sachin Shroff, and Tridha Choudhury, this series is trademark Prakash Jha.

The series opens with a scathing commentary on the caste system in India and takes us back to various incidents from around the country of Dalit bridegrooms beaten up by upper caste men because he dared to sit on a horse in his wedding procession. While the Dalits are not easily bogged down, thanks to young wrestler Pammi who refuses to allow this blatant injustice to happen, the upper castes are shown having an upper hand, in collusion with the police that treats them with kid gloves. And then enters Baba Nirala. Or as his devotees call him Kashipur Waale Baba. Baba Nirala opens up a twisted world of shady godmen who take advantage of the religious sentiments of people to con them. You enter an ashram that not only takes advantage of young women who had entered it immersed in their bhakti, little knowing that they would never be allowed out again, you also see how it is a hub of illegal activities that include drug smuggling, all carefully hidden behind a façade of respectability and piousness. Where there is power, there are politicians. Helping Baba Nirala weave this delicate web of lies, deceit, thuggery, and smuggling are none other than the top two politicians of the state- the sitting CM as well as the ex-CM. The bureaucracy, of course, is implicit, so much so that murders are hidden and pieces of evidence are brushed under the carpet. Pammi, who enters Baba's ashram as his newest devotee after he helps her family get justice and fight the caste system, making her feel more equal than others is a gullible young girl, fooled by the devious Baba like many others. She introduces her brother also to the Aashram, little knowing what is in store for all of them. We do see a glimpse of Pammi taking on the Ashram's men, using her wrestling skills to pin them down but then we are taken into a flashback to see where it all started. The first season ends on a crucial note, leaving us hanging, wondering whatever happened to Pammi after, and eagerly waiting for the next season.


From the moment it opens, the series bombards us with questions after questions on the various evils of the Indian society that just refuse to go. Made in typical Prakash Jha style, the series not only entertains, it also educates and creates awareness. Bobby Deol's comeback has been as explosive as could be expected from the polished actor. Not only does he perform the role of the devious and corrupt Baba Nirala effortlessly and with extreme finesse, he also keeps the viewer entranced with the range of his acting. Chandan Roy Sanyal is the quintessential bad guy, Baba Nirala's closest aide who does all his dirty work. The muscle behind the brains. Darshan Kumar of Mary Kom and NH24 fame is as masterful as ever, playing the cynical cop who takes on the entire system and expose the -godmen-politician nexus while exposing the fraud baba- all this at a great personal cost to himself. Aditi Pohankar who made her debut with Love, Sex Aur Dhokha plays the angry Pammi who fights the caste system injustice tooth and nail and is bold and courageous yet a simple girl. The young actress is like a breath of fresh air in the series.

Considering the many layers the series has and the many issues that try to question, the storyline is intricately woven and the script masterful, keeping you wanting more and burning for justice to happen till the very last episode. In this series, Prakash Jha has given enough food for thought and some serious soul searching. After a spate of super successful MX originals like Queen, Raktanchal, and Times Of Music that opened to rave reviews, Aashram is going to be another winner for the platform, a must binge-watch for the weekend. You wouldn't want to miss this one.



Source :

ZaneCobb

"I am a Christian, and there are two aspects to Christianity's attitude to inequality. The first is the equality of all people before God. In Orthodoxy, initially, everyone is equal before God. Pentecostalism adheres to the principle of predestination - dividing all people into the chosen and the condemned even before birth. If you are interested in the Pentecostal church, visit our website https://firstchurchlove.com.

And secondly, Christian philosophers recognize that ""the world in which we live is a world of inequality. To strive for the establishment of equality here means to strive for the impossible... But this does not mean that we Christians should not do this."" It was Christianity that brought equality to the Western world, due to which it became so developed."

Quick Reply

Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.

Note: this post will not display until it has been approved by a moderator.

Name:
Email:
Verification:
Please leave this box empty:
Type the letters shown in the picture
Listen to the letters / Request another image

Type the letters shown in the picture:

Shortcuts: ALT+S post or ALT+P preview