The Freelancer review: A Slow Burn to Excitement

Web Series: The Freelancer
Rating: 🌟 🌟 🌟 ☆ ☆ (3/5)
Starring: Mohit Raina, Anupam Kher, Kashmira Pardeshi, Sushant Singh, Ayesha Raza Mishra, Manjari Fadnnis, & Others
Created by: Neeraj Pandey
Directed by: Bhav Dhulia
Written by: Neeraj Pandey, Ritesh Shah
Cinematography: Arvind Singh, Sudheer Palsane, & Tojo Xavier
Theme Music Composer: Sanjoy Chowdhury
Editor: Praveen Kathikuloth
Producer: Shital Bhatia
Season: 1
No. of Episodes: 4
OTT Release Date: 1st September, 2023
Related Links: Trailer
Available Audio Languages: Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, & Other
Streaming on: Disney+Hotstar

🎬🌟 The Freelancer review: Worth Watching Series 🎥🎨

Neeraj Pandey is renowned for his mastery in crafting espionage movies centered around RAW. Whether it’s ‘Baby’ or ‘Aiyyari,’ Pandey has consistently captivated audiences, and ‘The Freelancer’ is no exception

This series arrives as a boon for the burgeoning OTT platform Hotstar. For those unfamiliar, the 4-episode Season 1 draws loose inspiration from Shirish Thorat’s ‘A Ticket to Syria.’ Let’s delve into the details.

Story Glimpse:

The Freelancer focuses on the plight of a newly married girl named Aliya (Kashmira Pardeshi). Her husband Mohsin takes her to Istanbul on the pretext of honeymoon, but his actual intention is something else.

Technical Aspects:

• Casting: All actors, regardless of their screen time, make valuable contributions. Notably, Aliya, portrayed by the young actress, stands out as the emotional anchor of ‘The Freelancer.’ Her poignant exchanges with her mother, played by Ayesha Raza, leave a lasting impact, and viewers become deeply invested in Aliya’s safety. Sushant Singh effectively conveys a father’s desperation in his brief appearance. Mohit Raina excels in his dual role as a formidable mercenary and a caring uncle. While Anupam Kher’s presence as the mentor figure is comforting, the character could have been further developed.
• Direction: Director Bhav Dhulia, known for films like ‘Khakee’ and ‘Rangbaaz,’ leans heavily on drama rather than subtlety in ‘The Freelancer.’ Neeraj Pandey’s aesthetics intersect with Dhulia’s dramatic vision, resulting in a mixed bag of effective and less impactful moments. The series portrays the family’s dramatic journey from Istanbul to Syria, but lacks a clear narrator or perspective, leaving the narrative somewhat loose and affecting the impact of many sequences.
• Music: The music takes a backseat in the initial episodes, serving as a background rather than a prominent player. We’ll have to wait and see if it takes on a more magical role in the upcoming episodes.
• Cinematography: Cinematographers Tojo Xavier, Arvind Singh, and Sudhir Palsane excel in their task of capturing various locations through their lenses. Their craftsmanship truly shines when they meticulously recreate the challenging landscapes of Syria, portraying everything from the camps and bustling local markets to the worn-down houses with great detail and skill.
• Editor: While there is a fair amount of back-and-forth in the storyline, the editing remains seamless. However, what doesn’t quite hit the mark in ‘The Freelancer’ is the storyline involving Mohit Raina and the complex relationship he shares with his on-screen wife, portrayed by Manjari Fadnnis. This subplot feels underdeveloped and tends to distract from the main narrative rather than enhancing it. A more concise and impactful approach to this storyline would have been beneficial.

Highlights:

• Mohit Raina’s portrayal of Avinash is marked by organic discipline, adding a mysterious depth to his character.
• The cast, including Anupam Kher, Ayesha Raza Mishra, and Sushant Singh, delivers effortless performances.
• Kashmira Pardeshi shines as Aaliya, displaying promise for her future in the series.
• Cinematographers Tojo Xavier, Arvind Singh, and Sudhir Palsane excel in capturing diverse locations, especially the harsh Syrian terrain.
• The Freelancer excels when it focuses on Aliya’s compelling character and the challenging Syrian setting.

Downside:

• Mohit Raina’s character development in flashbacks feels somewhat out of sync.
• Anupam Kher’s recurring role as a character similar to himself may lack variety in Neeraj Pandey’s scripts.
• Bhav Dhulia’s dramatic approach occasionally overshadows subtler nuances, impacting the narrative’s overall impact.
• The music remains unremarkable in the initial episodes, with hopes for improvement in subsequent episodes.

Final Verdict: “Hits and Misses, Decent Attempt“

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