Jaideep Ahlawat & Ishwak Singh’s ‘Paatal Lok’ Season 2: A Glimpse Into a Darker Hell – Our Review
Cast: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Tillotama Shome, Gul Panag & others
Creator: Sudip Sharma
Director: Avinash Arun
Streaming On: Prime Video
Language: Hindi
Runtime: 8 episodes, 40 minutes each
Paatal Lok Season 2 Review: Plot Overview
In one scene, Virk says to Hathiram Chaudhary, “We’re street players, but this is the World Cup,” which perfectly encapsulates the essence of Paatal Lok Season 2. The story, which begins in the alleys of Delhi’s Jamna Paar police station, stretches all the way to the political and criminal underworld of Damipur in Nagaland.
Picking up where Season 1 left off, Hathiram Chaudhary (Jaideep Ahlawat) remains the underdog. Despite solving a major case, his career in the Jamna Paar police station remains stagnant. Meanwhile, his junior Ansari (Ishwak Singh) has been promoted to an IPS officer, solving high-profile cases, and Virk has moved up the ranks in the Narcotics department. Hathiram, however, stays behind in Paatal Lok, a hell that seems to have chosen him.
Paatal Lok Season 2 Review: Script Analysis
The season kicks off with a murder, intertwining the lives of Virk, Chaudhary, and Ansari, all dealing with different cases that are somehow connected. Ansari urges his superiors to bring Chaudhary on board to investigate the murder of a high-profile business leader from Nagaland, leading them to the state’s complex socio-political landscape. The investigation uncovers a tangle of suspects, including Rose, a young woman from Nagaland.
Sudip Sharma’s writing immerses viewers in a world riddled with power struggles, corruption, class divides, and societal unrest. With deep conviction, the story unfolds in a way that feels genuine, drawing you into the tension and mystery surrounding every new revelation. Each moment is filled with suspense, leaving you worried for Chaudhary and Ansari’s lives.
Paatal Lok Season 2 Review: Performances
Jaideep Ahlawat steals the show as Hathiram Chaudhary, a man from ‘heaven’ trying to breathe in ‘hell.’ His performance portrays a man determined to make his hell more bearable, if not a heaven. Ishwak Singh, as Ansari, serves as the ideal partner, their relationship marked by mutual respect and professional growth. Watching their junior-senior dynamic evolve is a heartwarming aspect of the show.
Other supporting actors, including Tillotama Shome and Gul Panag, further enrich the narrative with solid performances.
Paatal Lok Season 2 Review: What Works
The second season dives deeper into the corrupt political system and the dark reality of modern society. Unlike Season 1, which explored hell through the lens of its residents, this season expands the commentary, suggesting that we all live in a form of hell. It’s a brutal yet thoughtful depiction of today’s world, with the powerful observation that the good people remain in hell while the bad ones make it worse.
In a particularly powerful scene, two women discuss, “Aren’t we all paying for the sins of our men?” It’s a moment that resonates deeply, reflecting how our actions have led to the creation of this hellish world.
Paatal Lok Season 2 Review: What Doesn’t Work
Though Season 2 is strong, Hathiram Chaudhary’s personal arc remains underexplored, despite a strong performance by Gul Panag. His personal journey might take more focus in future seasons, especially as he contemplates retirement by the end of this one.
Paatal Lok Season 2 Review: Final Thoughts
This season holds up a mirror to the dark, brutal world we live in but gives us a sliver of hope, too. It’s not just about surviving hell but about finding ways to rise above it. As one character from Nagaland says, “We need hope, we all deserve hope.” Ultimately, it’s that hope that propels us forward, just like Paatal Lok Season 2.
