Khoj - Parchaiyo Ke Uss Paar falls bland in the mystery and thriller genre despite commendable performances, writes ABHI SINGHAL
In 1989, the movie Khoj brought together Naseeruddin Shah and Rishi Kapoor in a suspenseful tale of deceit and mystery. The story revolved around a man whose wife mysteriously vanished, only to have another woman claim to be his wife. While the film’s climax fell flat, its premise remained exciting.
Fast forward to the present, and Khoj - Parchaiyo Ke Uss Paar attempts to reimagine the suspense in a web series format. Directed by Prabal Baruah and produced by Juggernaut, this Zee5 thriller stars Sharib Hashmi, Anupriya Goenka, and Aamir Dalvi in pivotal roles. Unfortunately, it struggles to deliver the nail-biting tension audiences expect from such a genre.
The story follows Ved played by Sharib Hashmi, a man desperately searching for his missing wife, Meera, played by Anupriya Goenka. As he goes deeper into her disappearance, Ved encounters bizarre events and clues that challenge his grip on reality. A sceptical police officer complicates matters, questioning Ved’s narrative and leaving him to prove that the woman posing as Meera is not, in fact, his wife.
While the first three episodes, particularly Aar Ya Paar, maintain a semblance of intrigue, the series begins to lose steam soon after. The narrative feels unnecessarily stretched, adding little value to the plot. Despite a strong performance by Sharib Hashmi in a rare lead role, and Anupriya Goenka’s stellar portrayal, the storyline fails to capitalise on its potential.
The biggest letdown is the predictability of the plot. The absence of genuine twists and an underwhelming climax detract from what could have been an interesting watch. The final episode abruptly resolves the mystery, leaving viewers dissatisfied. Moreover, the police inspector’s role is underdeveloped, adding little to the progression of the narrative.
Another notable drawback is the lack of an impactful background score, which could have significantly enhanced the suspense. The awkward cliffhanger endings to each episode feel forced, especially for a series with a mere 140-minute runtime, which would have been better suited as a film.
Despite its flaws, the performances by Sharib Hashmi and Anupriya Goenka are the saving grace of the series, making it a tolerable one-time watch. However, the lack of originality and engaging drama keeps it from standing out.
Rating: 2/5
