Web Series: Bambai Meri Jaan
Cast: Kay Kay Menon, Avinash Tiwary, Kritika Kamra and Nivedita Bhattacharya.
Directed by: Shujaat Saudagar 
Episodes: 10
OTT: Prime Video
Rating: 3 moons

Bambai Meri Jaan is a fictional series set against the Bombay of 90’s. Headlines by Kay Kay Menon, Avinash Tiwary, Kritika Kamra, Saurabh Sachdeva and Nivedita Bhattacharya, the 10 episode long series is directed by Shujaat Saudagar. 

 The review is based on the initial two episodes of the series.

Beginning with the Bombay streets of 1986, the first episode introduces the main characters and helps us understand what is about to happen in the characters life. Guns, Gang Wars and shades of Grey, Bambai Meri Jaani serves nostalgia in the world of crime. The series takes one back to the time when gangsters ruled the city of Bombay and ran it with terror. 

BMJ begins with a family striving to meet the ends meet as the lead man, Ismail Kadri (Kay Kay) believes in honesty and doesn’t want to indulge in unfair means to earn which finally makes his son Dara (Avinash) opt for another source of earning, turning into an underworld mafia at a very young age. The series sheds stark light on how black money ruled over Bombay in the 90's. 

Talking about characters, Avinash in the role of Dara Kadri is fantastic. Right from the beginning his part carries a plethora of suspense making one curious about what is going to come. As an actor, this show gives Avinash a platform to put across his fantastic range. Kritika who portrayed the role of Habiba Kadri has also done a standout job for her character, playing the role of Dara’s sister. It’s not the first time someone attempted the role of Habiba, but Kritika sinks her teeth into the part. A nuanced, emotional performance, there is reason he is an actor par excellence and proves that if the material served to him is right, he is here to make it work.  

As a police officer his tryst to convert his son to become an honest and dignified man & not crime, bring the best of Kay Kay - Avinash to screen. 

BMJ manages to depict the contrast of the different mindsets of father-son duo. The clash of their ideologies works as one of the most engaging traits of the entire series. Special mention to Saurabh Sachdeva in the role of Haji bhai is intriguing. 

The only thing which lacks is the pace at BMJ does get monotonous after a point, with engagement taking a dip. 

It’s not the first time gangster series are made but Bambai Meri Jaan tries to delve in the emotional core of the characters. 

We are binge watching the rest of the episodes to see how far this saga goes ...