Duranga Review: A Slow-Burning Thriller with Captivating Performances

Plot

Duranga is a nine-part Indian adaptation of the popular Korean drama series, Flower of Evil. The show follows the story of Sammit Patel, an ideal man who is a devoted father, a caring husband, and a perfect cook. But he's hiding a cruel and shameful past. The Indian version is a cross between a procedural crime drama and a cat-and-mouse pursuit thriller. The show focuses on the dangerous past of Sammit, son of a serial killer, and his dual personality. He has succeeded in deceiving everyone by living as someone else. His perfect family life turns upside down when Ira, his wife, starts investigating a series of murders that took place 14 years ago and uncovers Sammit's past. Every episode has numerous twists and turns and ends on a cliff-hanger, compelling you to watch the subsequent episodes and remain hooked throughout.

Acting

Gulshan Devaiah and Drashti Dhami's performances are impressive, and both of them are given a lot of range in their roles to really lean into the emotional performances they deliver. Gulshan’s Sammit is a multi-dimensional character with many facets to discover. Though one wouldn't have minded if the lady cop had performed a few more action sequences. Kiran Srinivas as Nikhil Pradhan and Sparsh Walia as Laksh Ranade provide strong support as members of the Ira team. Sammit's sister Prachi (Barkha Bisht) and Vikas Sarode (Abhijeet Khandkekar), a crime reporter with a past connection to Sammit, both contribute to the story's progression. Divya Seth Shah and Rajesh Khattar play Sammit's parents with twisted personalities. Spoiler Alert! Amit Sadh also appears in the series, but he will undoubtedly play a larger role in the upcoming season.

Cinematography

The series is aesthetically pleasing, and the cinematography is commendable. With a rich color palette, the visuals do justice to the show's themes of suspense and thrill. The production design, editing, and sound design are all top-notch.

Direction

The co-directors Pradeep Sarkar and Aijaz Khan have done a fabulous job in bringing the Korean series to life on the Indian screens. The show's pacing is slow-burning but effective. The series is a cross between a procedural crime drama and a cat-and-mouse pursuit thriller. Understanding the main character and the several subplots may be challenging at first, but as we get to know Sammit better, everything begins to make sense. Goldie Behl deserves to take a bow this time for the clarity with which he presents the intense, multi-climax drama.

Verdict

Duranga is an engrossing watch, and the fine performances of Gulshan Devaiah and Drashti Dhami keep you hooked till the end. The show commands your attention and keeps you glued to the screen with its gripping narrative and fast-paced storytelling. Though the initial episodes do take a fair amount of time to focus on individual murder cases, they only serve as the foundation for the main plot and information on our characters' interplay. The show blends multiple genres like romance, drama, and action-packed thriller together without getting lost in its complicated plot. It has a captivating and compelling build-up that will keep you guessing. Watch it for the performances, build-up, and thought process.

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