Review: Haasil – Murder mystery, courtroom drama. What’s not to like?

Sony Entertainment Television has launched a suspense thriller drama, ‘Haasil’, to beef up its prime time offering. Airing Monday to Friday at 9.30 pm, the show has replaced popular game show, ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. ‘Haasil’, which went on air on October 30, 2017, has been produced under the banner of Alchemy Productions. The show also marks the television debut of Bollywood actor Zayed Khan (‘Dus’, ‘Main Hoon Na’). 

Promoted as ‘politics of love’, ‘Haasil’ is a love triangle involving two brothers – Ranvir Raichand (Zayed Khan), a powerful business tycoon, and Kabir Raichand (Vatsal Seth), who is very impulsive and flamboyant - and their common love interest, Aanchal Srivastava (Nikita Dutta), who is a lawyer and a strong-headed idealist. Also part of the star cast is veteran actress Sheeba Akashdeep, who plays the role of Sarika Raichand, mother of Ranvir and Kabir. In keeping with the title of the show, the story is about relentless and persistent characters who can go to any extent to achieve what they desire.  

‘Haasil’ starts on a dark note, with the sexual assault and murder of a girl. Her case is taken up by lawyer Aanchal. Her investigations take her to the Raichands and she deems Ranvir Raichand responsible for the crime – the victim was his PA. Her accusations shock everyone as Ranvir is considered the good son of the family, while it is his brother, Kabir, who is the troublemaker in the family. 

Things take an interesting turn when Aanchal gets a mysterious call saying that Ranvir’s body bears no marks and that he is not the one to have committed the crime. The caller asks Aanchal to meet him to know the truth. 

In the few episodes that have been aired so far, Nikita Dutta impresses as an idealistic, young woman; someone who has a mind of her own, and knows that her advice is valuable enough to demand a fee for it. Zayed Khan’s character has remained passive so far, which is surprising, considering that he has been accused of a serious crime. Vatsal Sheth has portrayed grey characters in earlier shows, and I guess we will see more interesting developments in his characterisation. 

The set decor is opulent and is in keeping with the business tycoon family that is shown. However, it’s the dialogues that keep things interesting, almost like quotable quotes. Take for instance what Aanchal’s mother tells her, “Sapney kal ke haqeeqat hain, umeed aaj ki musibat hai.” 

And yes, there were some jarring (unreal) moments too. For instance, Ranvir Raichand, who is undergoing trial for rape and murder, doesn’t react much to the opponent lawyer’s acquisitions. And he is shown playing a flute while in jail! Besides, one would expect a business tycoon who gifts Rs 1 crore flats to his employees on Diwali to have an army of lawyers. But he has no lawyer representing him in the rape and murder trial, it’s his brother Kabir who jumps in to fight Ranvir’s case. 

A murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and a love triangle – all the elements are there for what can be an interesting drama. Let’s see how the story unfolds in the coming weeks and whether the producer and director of the show can develop it into something memorable.

 

And of course, it’s an added bonus that Zayed Khan looks as handsome and dapper as usual!

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