Class Review: The Desi Adaptation of Elite

Plot

Class, the Indian adaptation of the popular Spanish teen drama 'Elite' revolves around the caste barriers between high-profile young adults studying at a prestigious school and new scholarship students who join them. The story centres around three teenagers, studious Muslim girl Saba Manzoor, sensible and level-headed Dheeraj Kumar Valmiki, and cool dude Balli Sehrawat. They are from slums but join an elite high school through a scholarship program, which ignites the class war between the rich and the poor kids. The narrative serves intrigue early on, with a murder at the beginning and flashing back to the story of the three main characters. Similar to its original show, this eight-part series with nearly hourly episodes keeps the focus on the mystery and reveals the killer in the end.

Acting

The performances are commendable. Every character represents high school life's two different diasporas and looks the part. Everyone performs well, but they don’t do enough to stand out. Suhani’s troubled past fails to elicit sympathy, and her relationship with Dheeraj's brother feels underwhelming. Another subplot involving two closeted teenagers struggles for screen time. Nonetheless, the show keeps you invested in its characters and their personal lives.

Cinematography

The production values are high and clearly on par with the Spanish school to depict the lifestyle of these hi-fi students. Some sections show glimpses of Delhi's alleyways, from Gaffar Market to Chandni Chowk and historical sites like Agrasen Ki Baoli. The cinematography is well-planned and executed.

Direction

The showrunner, Ashim Ahluwalia, has kept the fabric of Elite intact, adapting it beautifully to suit the Indian cultural strife. The direction is crisp and keeps you invested in the narrative.

Verdict

Class is a binge-worthy murder mystery that will keep you hooked until the end. Pop culture references are what make the show a success. The dialogues and writing have the right punch and zeal. Music and background score too play a very important part in making the show look cool. Everything from their styling to the disparity between these kids is brought out in a way that feels organic and real. If you have watched Elite, then Class will feel like a first-hand experience that has some shock value. There is fair inclusivity of the LGBTQ community and a lot of sexual tension on screen. However, the show lacks originality in presenting the flow of events. Except for a few tweaks in the story, the makers have not meddled with the original show to create a different version. Nonetheless, watch it for the performances and some thrill. Class doesn't disappoint.

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