In the world of cinema and web series, Kolkata is often shown as vibrant with yellow taxis, the Howrah Bridge, the magnificent Victoria Memorial, the colors of Durga Puja and sipping tea in clay kulahas. But director Abhinay Dev’s new seven-episode suspense web series ‘Brown’ takes you to a Kolkata that is completely different, cold, gloomy, drenched in constant rain and steeped in an eerie silence. Based on Abhik Barua’s famous novel ‘City of Death’, the series is an intense story of a wall-to-wall murder and the deep psychological trauma of the characters.

 

The biggest feature of ‘Brown’, and perhaps the only consistently impressive aspect, is its cast, especially Karisma Kapoor. Viewers who remember her glamorous looks in films like ‘Coolie No. 1’ and ‘Raja Hindustani’ may find this change shocking. Without any glamour, with a sad face, constantly smoking cigarettes and drowning her pain in alcohol, Karisma gives perhaps the best performance of her career. She portrays Rita Brown’s flaws and strengths with great honesty. Instead of seeing a star on screen, the audience sees a deeply broken woman struggling to survive. It’s a show that’s poignant and touching.

Surya Sharma has given strong support to Inspector Arjun Sinha. His style of portraying grief, anger and emotional turmoil is measured and believable. Soni Razdan is effective as Rita’s concerned mother, while Ajinkya Dev brings authority and nuance to the role of an influential businessman.

The most memorable cameo belongs to veteran actress Helen, who plays Rita’s Aunt Bertha. Her introduction is unique and strange, as she is preparing for the funeral of her amputated leg, which had to be amputated due to complications caused by diabetes. Aryan Bhowmick, who plays Ahana’s musician boyfriend, plays an effective role in building up the suspense, while the supporting cast, including the forensic team, add realism and local flavor to the story.

Abhinay Dev deserves praise for creating a neo-noir thriller that has a dark and serious visual tone. Amog Deshpande’s cinematography is undoubtedly one of the strongest points of the show. Kolkata is shown in grey, black and blue; Rain-soaked streets, dimly lit rooms and damp walls create a suffocating atmosphere. The use of background music and silence helps create a sense of unease from the very first frame. However, its impact is lessened due to the slow pace of the series.

 

Its makers have focused more on the emotional suffering and mental conflict of the characters rather than the mystery. When almost every character is burdened with trauma, sadness, or personal loss, it becomes difficult for the audience to connect with any one of them on a deep emotional level.

 

On the surface, ‘Brown’ appears to be a stylish, atmospheric and hopeful series, but beneath its shiny exterior is a fairly ordinary and average story. If you want to see Karisma Kapoor away from the glamour, in a completely different avatar and acting brilliantly, then this series is a must watch. Kolkata’s dark style and stunning cinematography are also its hallmarks.

However, viewers who want a fast-paced murder mystery with unexpected twists and intense suspense may find ‘Brown’ tiresome. Despite the excellent acting and stunning visual style, its slow pace and easily predictable ending keep it from reaching its full potential.

 

Despite the flaws, ‘Brown’ deserves 3 out of 5 stars.