If you look at a staged theatre-like performance, ‘Unheard’ can stir up the appetite to know more about India’s freedom struggle through conflicting ideologies.
The word binge has become synonymous with the way web series are consumed. Driven by a curiosity to know what happens next, episode after episode and season after season are consumed. But what if a series is stripped of cinematic frills and tries to whet our appetite for political history, forcing us to debate conflicting viewpoints? telugu web series unclear, streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, follows a conversational format; Some episodes resemble a staged theater production. Ideology-based dialogues and the actors speaking them ensure that there is drama.
unclear
- Cast: Chandini Choudhary, Ajay, Priyadarshi, Srinivas Avasarala, Baladitya
- Direction: KV Aditya
- Streaming on: Disney+ Hotstar
The six episodes present the different ideologies that shaped India’s freedom struggle between 1900 and 1950. In the first episode, Dr. Chalapathi (Baladitya) shows off his stylish coat stitched by John Burton’s sewing unit in Secunderabad. He also talks about hobnobbing in the Secunderabad club and doesn’t think much about India’s fight against colonial rule. The lady listening to him, Padma (Chandini Choudhary), is wearing a khadi sari; She tries to show him the bigger picture – that the administration is spending only a fraction on infrastructure and that we, Indians, stand to achieve a lot by being independent. It is 1920, when the Spanish Flu (1918) has wreaked havoc across the country and the common people have witnessed British apathy during the pandemic.
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unclear is fiction inspired by history; It is as much about Hyderabad as it is about India. As one of the characters explains, different people chose different ways to reach the same destination – independent India.
The interactive face-off between Padma and Dr. Chalapati, a believer in the non-violent movement, sets the tone for the upcoming episodes. They are decent in their dissent but stick to their ideologies.
It took me a few tries to get the minimalist and cross platform-like presentation. But I often found myself making mental notes of the historical events discussed, wanting to read more.
In the next episode, we are introduced to Mallesh (Ajay), who was part of the British-Indian Army in Europe during World War I; After seeing a lot of bloodshed, he now believes in Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence. He comes face to face with Badri (Priyadarshi), who doesn’t mind taking up arms.
enough weight to make unclear Charming, apart from writing, rests on the shoulders of the actors. Priyadarshi makes it easy, as the ideology he talks about has been his lifestyle. Ajay brings the necessary maturity to his role of a war veteran, while Srinivas Avasarala creates a new territory in parts focusing on the events in Hyderabad that eventually led to the annexation of the princely state to independent India. Chandini, Baladitya and Anand Chakrapani are also adequate in their performances as jailers.
From the Chauri Chaura incident to Raghupati Venkaiah Naidu’s contribution to Telugu cinema, historical references are scattered. The initial tricolor designed by Pingali Venkaiah appears at an appropriate time during the conversation between Badri and Dr. Chalapati has now joined the non-violent freedom struggle. We learn of another character’s passing and Badri’s own turn of fate. At a time when freedom fighters were unsure of enjoying the fruits of freedom, what gave them the courage to continue their fight? unclear tries to find the answer.
unclear Also looks at the Quit India Movement of 1942, World War II, the role of the Indian National Army, the Salt Satyagraha and the impact of the Bengal famine in independent India.
The series is tightly edited, with episodes ranging from 18 to 27 minutes. It is not entertaining in the traditional sense, but takes the liberty of using digital platforms to bring forth ideas and conversations not possible in mainstream entertainment. That in itself is commendable.
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