36 Days review - Neha Sharma's series is an unappealing adaptation of an already lukewarm show

2/5

Story:

A new neighbour catches people's eye. She is the girl-next-door with a past, which is the reason for her being in the neighbourhood. She gets mixed up with the dirt and ends up dead one day. The story unfolds who eventually killed her.

Review:

Back when the British show 35 Days released, it was just another detective series for the viewers. The only good part? The victim is dead and the story eventually builds up. Given how detective series are often released in Britain, this series got a lukewarm response, mainly because the plot was slightly different. Cut to India, there are numerous stories told in the country and detective stories are not the forte on OTT so far. Thus, with 36 Days releasing, the expectations, even if raised, cannot be too high because of the already weak plot of the original series.

Commencing in the middle of the forest with a suspensful music, 36 Days introduces Shernaz Patel as Benaifer. Given the trailer, you already know she was at loggerhead with Neha Sharma's Farah Zaidi/Suhana Mohan. Thus, the suspense is built in the very first scene, with nobody knowing what to expect next except maybe dark events to unfold.

Of course, the name of the show is derived from the events that take place 36 days into entering a complex in Goa under mysterious circumstances. The concept is the same from the original series but instead of 35 days, here you come across 36 days (but not really for there is a lot of time skip anyway).

Chandan Roy Sanyal's Tony Walia is the rich brat on the show who believes he can have all that he desires. The reason for the same is pretty obvious as you delve more into the series. His male ego is boosting and in a split second (not exactly on the show though), he gets to begging.

Chahat Vig as his wife Siya has little to offer. However, her character is more complex than it appears. What really works with her is the beauty she radiates in a few scenes. But, she has little to offer otherwise.

Amruta Khanvilkar, in the role of Lalita, sets her first impression thanks to her on-screen child. What she is like as a mother is clearly told in her first few frames itself. She is a moohfat and tends to bring comical relief in a few scenes too.

Slowly, Benaifer aka Binny comes back into the frame. This time, you know that she's a pastry chef working for neighbourhood events.

She adds depth to her character with catchphrases in Parsi language. Binny is hiding some deep, dark secrets which open up with every episode.

Just when you meet Benaifer Machados, Kenneth Desai's Denzy leaves an impression. He is among those who have a dark studio for their paintings. If you have followed enough works of art, you already know this smells trouble. But does it here? Find out.

Faisal Rashid, for the actor he already is, he leaves you confused in the role of Riyadh. He's one of the suspicious ones on the property, and his expressions alone help you navigate that.

Of course, the whole story is explored as the show progresses. The reason for his being is revealed in the very first episode.

Purab Kohli and Shruti Seth are one of the last to be introduced as the celeb couple, Dr. Rishikesh and Radhika Jaykar. While Purab is mostly in the same tone, Shruti has some moments on the show. The tables turn but only after half the series is over.

Sharib Hashmi appears as one of the suspicious characters, Vinod, on the show, at least at the start. While his character stays somewhat similar, there's slight progress with the series, but it's not like you didn't see that coming.

Sushant Divgikar's role as Tara, previously Tarun on the show, is limited to being stereotyped. Introduced as a woman, she is Tony's number one bullying target. While he shines in most scenes, it is his action sequence which really takes the cake. This apart from all the times he is forced to go back to being a man even when feeling like a woman on the inside.

Cops arrive, thus exposing the neighbourhood in actuality. A lot is explored in the series ahead, and how every character is woven in each other's lives.

The second episode finally introduces airhostess Farah. And of course, the men gather immediately. Hers is either a pokerfaced or sob story, till almost the end of the series. You see her smile only towards the end, which does not leave much impact either. Nonetheless, Neha carries the show on her shoulders, apart from Sushant.

Shivam Patil as Baban aka Bobo has his own action sequences as soon as his face is revealed. As an actor, he does a fair job as the gunda he has to play on-screen.

The show goes smoothly from the first episode to the first half of the second episode, but then there's a weird scene and unnecessary music which disrupts the flow of what is unfolding in the series. There's a lot of distraction like those in the first half, and by second half, there's no unpredictability or the excitement that comes with a fresh plot twist.

The problem with this series is the abrupt tunes and songs. Although they do provide some details to what is happening in the series, almost every single time, the songs could be avoided.

Episode 2 is the first time the show ends on a cliffhanger. Some more details are spilled on who this newest entrant Farah really is.

Each character in the show has a layer to them which points towards what eventually transpired. That buildup really works.

Zara Khan, as always, is adorable as Munmun. She appears when half the series is over and leaves a mild impact, except with her cuteness, which is immeasurable.

After a point, nothing in the show leaves you surprised. There's a hint to everything, so you almost never come across an unexpected move.

The scene of Vinod deciphering Lalita's equation with Tony is one of the highlights of the series. It builds for a lot that happens as the finale of Tony vs Tara/Tarun comes closer.

From being the most attractive girl in the neighbourhood to being the most wanted criminal, Suhana's graph, like in the original show, is the best. One thing about this series is that every woman is in power, and every man is their target (which is not a surprise since that is the concept in the original).

While all the actors give their best shot in the series, the script in itself is dull and very predictable. This makes 36 Days an uninteresting watch.

The buildup to the ultimate scene is interesting, but does it live up to the hype? Not really. The revenge itself feels incomplete without the actual rage in the scene.

Although the start of the series was intriguing, the same cannot be said as it comes to an end. There's a happy ending for most, more or less. So if that is your taste, only then you might enjoy this series slightly.

Verdict:

An adaptation of UK's 35 Days, 36 Days leaves you more disappointed as it progresses. While Vishal Furia might have wanted to retain the essence of the original show, he missed the mark as a director. The series focuses on costumes and interior designs over the actual script and in some places, acting. You can definitely give this one a skip and you wouldn't miss out on a thing.