Moh Maya Machine review: Intense but not gripping enough

3/5

Story:

Humans live in a world where they compete with AI. Four different stories explore how this affects human lives. A few stories even test if humans can outsmart the AI.

Review:

Moh Maya Machine, as the name suggests, deals with human greed in a world where machine has taken over and co-existed with humans (that we know as AI). The series begins with Smriti, a story about a professor who leads a lonely life.

The camera angle is the focus of this psychological thriller. The viewers are forced to look at one side rather than the centre of the screen. Soon, you realize how mentally the character is affected. Before you know it, technology gets involved in the series.

A new character, Vedika, is introduced to the series and her connection to the lead character, Professor Naik, is very complicated. You really cannot understand how are they related and director Sahil Gada also leaves it a mystery.

The story takes a dark turn which you wouldn't completely see coming. The first part of the anthology, Smriti, is not as believable as it could be but it's still a start to see the Gujarati industry take such a bold step in anthologies. The part has so many similarities to Ray's Forget Me Not, featuring Ali Fazal, that it is eerie.

Kewal Mistry's Drashti tries to talk about living larger-than-life. Soon, you are taken into the life of a very dysfunctional family who keeps secrets, all revealed through a secret camera. Shocking truths are revealed when the camera clicks someone's photo.

There is so much happening in this story that it gets tough to understand what will happen next. Just when you think you get a clear picture, you don't. The credit for the same goes to the director.

Ajit Singh Rathore's Akashvani tries to be dangerous but barely manages to get that emotion across. Since machines are involved, something unexpected happens even in this part.

The environment turns intense. Among the three people, you see the mafia boss suspecting both his subordinates. The scene after that is shot well, with the focus on 'Choksi' Prem Gadhvi's face. Of course, there is a twist even after that. At this point, really, you wonder if all the stories are helmed by Abbas-Mustan. This series has some shots by Dhrupad Shukla that can turn epic. It is top-notch and something that the industry should look at exploring more.

Sunny Sharma's Samvedna is about small talks while looking for work in labs. The part subtly hints at nepotism and how the struggle is same for both. Paresh Pahuja comes back, this time with Mansi Parekh.

Samvedna begins on a hopeful note and continues to just exist. The abrupt route that this part of the anthology takes, makes you wonder what was really the meaning behind making this content? Because there really isn't any.

Verdict:

Watch Smriti but do not expect a lot out of it if you have seen Ray's Forget Me Not already. The story of this part of the anthology does get interesting but is not novel.

The second part, Drashti, is not for the weak mind. It goes very dark very soon. Not that you did not see the dark elements coming but they go on to such lengths that you are left intrigued.

Akashvani is a twist in the story that you would not see coming. It is the most-recommended watch out of the anthology series. There is thrill at every point, even if fear really never sets in. Despite that, Akashvani does the work. Even if you think you know the spoilers, you probably don't.

Samvedna is one part that you can skip altogether. It makes absolutely zero sense and gets no message across. It is much better to stop watching Moh Maya Machine at Akashvani if you don't wish to be disappointed.