The upcoming series delves into Hindu mythological realms as a reference point for crime and justice in the modern-day
Jaideep Ahlawat as Hathi Ram Chaudhary in a still from ‘Paatal Lok.’
“Yeh jo duniya hai, yeh ek nahi, teen duniya hai (This world is not one but three worlds,)” declares New Delhi cop Hathi Ram Chaudhary (Jaideep Ahlawat) in the opening seconds of Paatal Lok’s trailer. In Prime Video’s upcoming series, the washed-out police inspector finds a quest-like purpose when he lands the case of a lifetime.
The clips opens and Chaudhary introduces us to his world which is sectioned into three hierarchical realms. Swarg lok (heaven) forms the topmost tier where the gods or elite dwell and roam free. Flashes of an opulent lobby fill the screen and a red haze spreads across prime-time journalist Sanjeev Mehra’s (Neeraj Kabi) face. In the middle is dharti lok (Earth) inhabited by the common man. Dark spreads across the screen as a silhouette stows a gun in a locker. Finally, at the very bottom is paatal lok (netherworld) where insects fester. Hammer in hand, a man is shown stalking his prey; a scream resounds. The three worlds co-exist in perpetual chaos. It’s not until four suspects–Tope Singh (Jagjeet Sandhu), Kabir M (Aasif Khan), Mary Lyngdoh (Mairembam Ronaldo Singh) and wanted gangster Vishal Tyagi (Abhishek Banerjee)–are arrested for a failed assassination attempt on Mehra that Chaudhary finds himself stalking the gates and ambling the alleys of all three realms. Paranoia, discovery, betrayal, brutality and communalism ensue. Who is the culprit when the lines between the worlds blur? “Kabhi kabhi paatal lok ke jo keede hai na woh dharti lok ke admiyon ko kaant lete hai. Aur unke kaantne se hota hai kaand (When the people from hell bite those who dwell on the earth, mayhem breaks loose,)” Chaudhary intones.
Created by Sudip Sharma (NH10, Udta Punjab), the nine-episode series largely unfolds in modern-day Uttar Pradesh while exploring the interplay between the four estates of modern democracy. The neo-noir crime drama also stars Gul Panag and Swastika Mukherjee and is produced by actor Anushka Sharma’s Clean Slate Films. Directed by Avinash Arun (Killa) and Prosit Roy (Pari), Paatal Lok premieres next week on May 15th.
Watch the trailer for ‘Paatal Lok’ below:
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