Betaal

Betaal is an Indian Web-series released over Netflix which revolves around ZOMBIES. The story unfolds when a remote Indian village is taken up for development and civilization by trying to connect it with better part of the modern world, by a TUNNEL which goes through a mountain - BETAAL MOUNTAIN.

 

This mountain is believed by the fellow villagers to be cursed by an ancient black magic. Despite constant rebel and resistance from the villagers not to open the Tunnel, the warning is unheard and rest that happens is a horrendous chain of events with an other-worldly creature attack.

 

The background is spooky and shots are breath-taking. The initial encounter or the stay at the 'BARRACKS' everything sets the story perfectly in motion. After the curse is released, the leftover crew along with other villagers stay at a remote place unaware of dangers with them and after effects of dead people they were carrying with themselves. The story is then about survival. Will the crew be able to survive and if yes, what about the curse ??

 

Vikram Sirohi (played by Vineet Kumar) is a Second in Command Officer and a puppet to Commander Tyagi (played by Suchitra Pillai). The puppet who is used by the Commander to do all the dirty work and who believes it to be his duty and sheer dedication to his superior. Vikram Sirohi is exceptional and has played his character to perfection with to the point dialogue delivery and great display of courage and brains at times.

 

DC Ahlu (played by Aahana Kumra) is a rebel who questions every act and is constantly reminding Sirohi of his deeds. Suchitra Pillai (famous for her negative roles on television) plays her character like a gem. The roles played by all the supporting actors blends with the script.

 

Direction by Patrick Graham, who also happens to have directed 'GHOUL' has done a decent job. The horror scenes & VFX effects are topnotch. The 'Zombie' character really scares you and something terrific has been done with their Red Eyes which looks scary yet gripping.

 

The initial 15-20 seconds of the first episode, gives you goosebumps with great expectation. But as the story progresses, it becomes predictable. The horror, no doubt is one the best in Bollywood in recent times, which goes in the category of TUMBAAD.

 

As dark as it gets, the try by Indian cinema in the Zombie Universe is appreciating. The Zombie character doesn't feel forceful. The context of the story, however is dull and focus keeps shifting.

 

Likewise as in Indian cinema, it has an emotional background with 'righting the wrongs' and 'paybacks a Karma'.

 

Red Chillies Production which is released as a Netflix Original is a decent try and praiseworthy. The 4-episode series, as said is predictable but leaves a impressive plot for season 2 to be established which is more interesting.

 

I highly recommend this one for the dark and horror genre followers. Also, a must watch for Zombie lovers.

 

A satisfactory direction with great acting and extravagant VFX effects, I rate it as 4 out of 5 stars and a thumbs up for going out of the box rather than going with old style Bollywood movies.

Watch the trailer on YouTube here.