Komal Surti
The Family Man is an action-drama web series on Amazon Prime Video available in four different languages. It is directed by Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K. The series is the most ambitious project of Raj and DK. The duo has been a part of the films like Go Goa Gone, A Gentleman and also, the screenplay of 2018’s big hit Stree.
It is all about the sleek and tiny details of the daily lives of a spy that go uncompromised here. In this new and astonishingly captivating series by Amazon Prime Video, The Family Man you will see things that go unnoticed around the world.
Spoiler Alert! Just in case you don’t want to know more about Srikant.
The series is here to tell you the story of a middle-class guy Srikant played by Manoj Bajpayee. He is an undercover intelligence agent who works for a special cell known as Threat Analysis And Surveillance Cell (TASC) of the NIA. Here they work, into detecting the activities of the world and its citizen, thereby recognise and stop any terror attacks on the country.
“Privacy is a myth, Just like Democracy.”
– JK Talpade (Srikant’s Bestfriend)
Moreover, the story unveils his adventures, on and off the field. You’ll see how Srikant is constantly trying to protect the nation from terror threats. But somewhere down the line, he struggles to save his crumbling marriage. Srikant handles and protects his family from the impact of his secretive, high-pressure and low paying job.
The first twenty minutes of the show will give you a glimpse about the life of a common man with a professor wife Suchitra (Priyamani), a teenage daughter Dhruti (Mehak Thakur) and a son, Atharv (Vedant Sinha) who has a love for musical instruments. His best friend and colleague, JK Talpade (Sharib Hashmi) is a perfect sidekick!
How often do you have to bribe your child to hide a secret from the other parent? Icecream, Pizzas and Burgers? Well, that is how life is. The life of a common man. Srikant manages it well, with his drinks, chocolate bars and smokes all through the series.
While the team is constantly trying to be out on the run, trying to figure out what the next terrorist attack would be, they come across various hurdles!
Travelling away from his family to Srinagar, Srikant meets his old friend, Ms Saloni (Gul Panag). From Kashmir to Baluchistan, this man takes a stroll towards everything that comes his way, to save his country from a possible terror attack.
The end of the last episode comes out strong and will leave you hanging. You’d surely wonder if the cause died, or the deed. Only the next season will tell.
What I loved: During the start of the series, you’ll be hooked to the screen. I would like to take a second to mention this shot somewhere towards the end of the first episode where the team is trying to catch runaway terrorists. It looks like it has been taken in a single shot. A thumbs up to such execution and cinematography.
What I liked: The series stretches some of the episodes. It is still a little slow during the mid episodes. But, Manoj Bajpayee will keep you stuck to the screen with his brilliant acting after all. The actors and their chemistry is something you would enjoy watching on-screen.
What Could Be Better: I feel, the writing could have been better in terms of bringing out something new, rather than the usual storyline. A thriller where, in the end, it all becomes an anti-nationalist story with possible bomb blasts in the country and Pakistan is the prime suspect to lead every terrorist organisation.
Overall this one is a gripping catch and mighty thriller from the Indian directors. Here is a song from the series, originally composed by Sachin-Jigar, as an ode to the everyday hustle of a middle-class family man.
Juggle up that eight hours of time from your daily schedule and watch this latest spy thriller with ten episodes on Amazon Prime Video.
