Gaanth Chapter 1: Jamnaa Paar Review: Manav Vij is Memorable in Arresting and Twisty Thriller

Gaanth Chapter 1: Jamnaa Paar Review: Created by Soham Bhattacharya, this thriller series on JioCinema is directed by Kanishk Varma and stars Manav Vij, Monika Panwar, Saloni Batra, Shravan Borana, Sidharth Bhardwaj and others. With 8 episodes, the series is a fictional retelling of the Burari case.

• Manav Vij was last seen in Patna Shuklla while Panwar’s last outing was 2024’s Dukaan and 2023’s Mast Mein Rehne Ka.
• All 8 episodes of the series have a runtime of around 40 minutes.

– No Spoilers –

When an entire family is found hanging from their home in a mass suicide, suspended officer Gadar Singh and his team along with an unlikely and bullied psychiatry intern Sakshi Murmu try to get to the bottom of a case that gets more and more knotted the deeper the delve into it.

The 2018 Burari murder case has gripped the country with equal amounts of interest and apathy over the last couple of years. From the Netflix documentary House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths which left everyone reeling to Hotstar’s Aakhri Sach, which was less than stellar, to say the least, the subject has been nothing but a source of speculation that leaves most in chills. Gaanth Chapter 1: Jamnaa Paar is a mix between a documentary and fiction, with it taking inspiration from the harrowing facts of the case and creating something not about the deaths but putting a jaded cop as the protagonist to follow, effectively taking away the spotlight from the case and saving the show from embarrassment.

Characters and Cast

Manav Vij is probably a worthy actor to portray Gadar Singh’s carelessly destructive but keen character who, although unmoved by the bodies hanging in front of him at the crime scene, has his own demons to fight in his mind. He is steadfast, resilient and is a bit of an alcoholic and, at first, comes across as rather abrasive and rude. However, he has his character arc as the odd story unfolds in front of him and he is tasked to solve it under immense pressure from his superiors.

On the other hand, Monika Panwar’s Sakshi Murmu is constantly bullied at work for her background by her privileged colleagues who talk down to her every chance they get. However, they are also constantly one-upped by her thanks to her keen observation skills, which gives us an inkling from early on that she will play a major role as the episodes roll on. Panwar is a great addition to the cast and successfully brings out her character’s deep anger and resentment for the unfair treatment that she faces yet bringing out her vulnerable and caring side when it comes to her mission to help those who need it. Together with Singh, the two bring together a great team, albeit not always together.

Story

I like the twist that the series gives to the Burari case as it creates something on top of the facts that we have come to know about the heartbreaking situation. It makes it feel less of a cash grab but adds the eerieness of watching something remotely true crime. The storyline is effectively told and the information trickles out in a way that leaves you hooked to the screen. It combines the daily atrocities and the blockages that the police face with a complicated case thus rooting you in reality all the way and making you care for our anti-hero. On the other hand, Sakshi’s odd character and personality make for another effective and gripping narrative as her past and present become such a thrilling story to peel the layers back on.

The media also plays a great role in the story, as they do in real life as well. Sensationalising and spreading misinformation, their role becomes an interesting problem that buzzes around in the background like an annoying fly. Although the media is an important part of letting the public know the truth and keeping the government in check, the show brings forth their negative side, inciting the residents and making things harder for the police to investigate and find out the truth.

The lanes and bylanes of Haqiqat Nagar are also another part of the story of JioCinema’s Gaanth Chapter 1: Jamnaa Paar which creates a tapestry of interesting information and superstitions surrounding a situation that might be rooted in logic. With the residents’ fear of the house, the series ups the mystery surrounding the situation while the police cover the facts. You question whether there is something supernatural at play while you question that notion as well.

In the end, however, it’s the layers that you peel back that make you sit back and enjoy the series more than you’d expect. It holds on to its mystery throughout its runtime and slowly opens up the inquiry to give you a look into its complicated narrative. Although I would say some of the paths that the series takes are a bit over the topic and keeping things a bit simpler would’ve made it feel more realistic and digestible, in the end, it’s told well and the performances just add to the intrigue as well.

Gaanth Chapter 1: Jamnaa Paar Review: Final Thoughts

Manav Vij is memorable as the rough cop in the midst of a complicated case. Gaanth Chapter 1: Jamnaa Paar is gritty and interesting and the added layers to an already creepy story make for an interesting watch. Although some feel a bit over-the-top and dragged, as a whole, the series is enjoyable and exciting.

Also Read: Presumed Innocent Review (2024): Jake Gyllenhaal is Fantastic in This Gripping Watch