When I started watching this series, I did not want it to bash anti-nationals or support so called right wing etc and the two episodes were just fine. But from the third episode, which is itself named Anti-National, a narrative started to present itself. This is the problem - the narrative. Why can't be a web series or movie based on facts and known truths and not on narratives? The reason maybe because truth is not that simple to see, understand and most of all, accept.
Let me give you an example of what I am talking about. In one of the episodes 3, 4, 5 (maybe 3rd), it shows gau rakshaks lynching two people who were transporting mutton by mistaking it as beef. I thought showing this is okay, let's not judge this series based on this. This might have happened in few cases. Therefore, so far so good. But now, in coming episodes, it shows the videos of hate speeches given by gau rakshaks and right wingers. And it shows that the potential terrorists are getting 'hurt' and motivated by that. But the plot never touches upon the hate speeches or propaganda by Islamic fundamentalists? Why? Maybe they will do it in coming episodes, I am still not judging the creators.
Then comes the third and decisive incident which made me raise this point on otherwise fantastic web series.
The protagonist, Srikant Tiwari is transferred to Srinagar, Kashmir to track a terrorist of sleeper cell who has also moved there at the same time. They in-fact are seen together at the pick-up point waiting for their respective pickups.
When they start the journey from Airport, they (terrorist and Srikant, in different scenes) see the surroundings and ask the same question to people in car - 'how is Kashmir'. Those with terrorist tells him that agencies have made a mess of it, they call it crown of India but does not care about Kashmir or Kashmiri. This was acceptable. What else would a terrorist say. But when Srikanth asks the same question, the security person proudly says that everything is in our control (like they have hijacked Kashmir) and Srikant adds to it that he has heard the number of tourists have increased in Kashmir but what he can see around is only tourists in the uniform.
Now tell me one thing dear creators and writers, if you can show the narrative of terrorists, why can't you properly state the narrative of security forces and Govt. The activities which they claim to be done to end extremism. And about the situations and hate they face each passing minute? The stone pelting and ISIS flag. Is that not a narrative worth showing?
This is not done. For me, this brings down the credibility of the work you have done. But I am still hoping the next episodes do prove me wrong.
They say this is based on real news stories, I am just wondering if the news stories they have picked up are only from NDTV?
On to episode 6.
