The Broken News Review: A Thrilling Look Behind the Scenes of TV Journalism

Plot

The Broken News is an adaptation of the BBC Studios' 'Press' and follows the lives of two rival news channels, 'Josh 24/7' and 'Awaaz Bharti.' The show delves into the everyday struggles and lives of the journalists, editors, and anchors who work for these channels. The show is a thrilling drama that explores the different ways news channels handle the same stories, with one channel focused on TRPs and sensationalizing news, and the other focused on ethics and delivering facts to the public.

Acting

The show's three central characters, Dipankar Sanyal (Jaideep Ahlawat), Amina Quershi (Sonali Bendre), and Radha Bhargava (Shriya Pilgaonkar), are all impeccably portrayed. Ahlawat delivers a stellar performance as the TRP-focussed editor-cum-anchor Dipankar, while Bendre and Pilgaonkar make for a fantastic duo as the ethical Amina and the frustrated but ethical Radha, respectively. The supporting cast, including Indraneil Sengupta, Taaruk Raina, and Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, also deliver strong performances and are convincing in their respective roles.

Cinematography

The show's realistic setting, coupled with the excellent cinematography, makes it incredibly immersive. The newsroom scenes and edit meetings are well-captured and provide a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of a newsroom.

Direction

Director Vinay Waikul does an excellent job of adapting the show for an Indian audience and keeps the pacing fast and thrilling throughout the eight-part series. The show's bold approach to tackling current events and political issues is refreshing in an age where media outlets are often forced into toeing the line and ignoring facts in favour of sensationalism.

Verdict

Overall, The Broken News is a show that's definitely worth your time if you're interested in the inner workings of the news industry. While there are a few flaws with the show, such as a focus on solving a mystery and a lack of character development for some of the supporting cast, the show's strengths more than make up for any shortcomings. The show's nuanced exploration of ethical journalism, TRPs, and sensationalism, combined with strong performances from the cast, make for a thrilling and thought-provoking watch.

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