The very picture that comes to our mind when we hear the word ‘hostages’, is a typical plane hijack situation, where hundreds of people are held up in the fear of being shot at gun-point. But there is a twist in the tale here!
Hostages (the series), has been streaming since May 31, 2019. The series marks the digital debut of Sudhir Mishra, one of Bollywood’s most revered filmmakers. Applause Entertainment has produced this series. The series features talent like Tisca Chopra and Ronit Roy who play the lead alongside Parvin Dabas, Aashim Gulati, Mohan Kapoor, Malhaar Rathod, Sharad Joshi, Surya Sharma, and Anangsha Biswas in pivotal roles. The plot is artfully devised by Akriti Goel, Madhura Dalimbkar, Mayuk Ghosh, Nisarg Mehta, Shiva Bajpai, and Suraj Gianani.
The basis
The plot is devised around a doctor’s family, who has been captured and taken hostage. Tisca Chopra, who is the doctor, has been ordered to kill the Chief Minister. Tension begins welling up, as Tisca Chopra declines the task. But her family is threatened and taken hostage in her own home till the job isn’t done.
The series explores how a woman maintains her poise, towards both her profession and her loved ones, in the most edgy of situations. It also throws light on the woes a today’s typical city-bred family, where emotions are fragmented and everyone keeps to themselves. Each member of the family harbours a dirty dark secret that’s forcefully let out during the time of a crisis. But in spite of all the messes, every member of the family is bonded by the virtues of love and a certain institutional value that has been artfully woven by the writer, through the lives of Tisca Copra and Pravin Dabbas.
In a conversation with Tisca Chopra we learn, “Sudhir Mishra, has wonderfully portrayed a woman wearing different hats, and how she purposefully changes them in order to suit her situation and those of her loved ones.”
The beauty of the hostage situation is unveiled progressively as the family begins to comprehend the real reason behind being held captivate in a hostage situation. But viewers can find themselves at the edge of their seats, as each scene is enticing, and comes alive with little thrilling elements, that somehow become essential ingredients in devising a good and hooking plot.
Though the series incorporates fictitious elements it doesn’t disdain on the genuineness of the plot. It gives viewers genuine insight into what goes on for real behind the scene in hospitals.
The corruptive measures and existential politics that could drive consumers up the wall. Perhaps, the measures that are extensively practiced even today could cost the lives of one of our loved ones.
However, if we look deeper in, we come to realise that not all is bad. Sometimes one resorts to corruptive measures for the greater good of society.
End Note
All in all, Hostages takes a complete departure from our preconceived notion of a typical hostage situation. The protagonists have put up a fantastic act, making the series even more hooking and insightful. An absolute binge-watch! Hotstar has levelled up with other famed OTT platforms delivering to viewers some of the choicest series. It has now begun to up its game, compelling more and more digital content bingers to sign up to the platform.
By Heer Kothari
