Have you ever craved a revenge story that leaves you wanting more justice, not popcorn? Look no further than “Karmma Calling” Season 1. This new series aspires to be a thrilling saga of vengeance, but ultimately falls flat due to superficial writing and underdeveloped characters.
Story
The story revolves around Indrani Kothari (Raveena Tandon), a powerful businesswoman who reigns supreme in Alibaug. Her seemingly perfect world gets shaken by the arrival of a mysterious young woman named Karma Talwar (Namrata Sheth). Karma has a singular motive – to avenge the wrongs inflicted on her father and destroy those who shattered her childhood. But how far will she go to achieve her retribution?
Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Raveena Tandon | Indrani Kothari |
| Namrata Sheth | Karma Talwar |
| Varun Sood | TBD |
| Vikramjeet Virk | TBD |
| Viraf Patel | Zane Khan |
| Rohit Roy | Satyajit Talwar (Karma’s Father) |
| Devangshi Sen | Mira Kothari (Indrani’s Daughter) |
Review
Adapted from the American show “Revenge,” “Karmma Calling” struggles to translate the bloodthirsty revenge plot into the glossy world of India’s uber-rich. The biggest culprit is the lazy writing, which simply transplants a Western story into a wealthy Desi setting without any organic adaptation.
The characters, instead of being well-rounded individuals, fall into predictable stereotypes. They constantly throw around words like “paisewale” (rich) and “gareeb” (poor), making the dialogue feel jaded and repetitive. Inconsistencies further mar the narrative. For instance, Karma’s origin story – how an orphan amasses such wealth and her actual profession – remains shrouded in mystery.
We encounter a pair of brothers who manage a luxurious beachside cafe, yet the younger one whines incessantly about their “broke” family. Indrani’s daughter, Mira, is a stereotypical social media influencer obsessed with likes, who ironically accuses her mother of being fake. The lack of conviction in both the dialogue and writing makes it impossible to connect with these characters.
Performances
Despite a flawed script, Raveena Tandon shines through. She delivers a nuanced performance as Indrani, even amidst the inconsistent writing. Namrata Sheth holds her own with a confident portrayal of Karma.
However, Viraf Patel’s portrayal of the affluent gay man, Zane Khan, veers into annoyingly caricaturish territory. Rohit Roy, in his limited screen time as Karma’s father, Satyajit, leaves a mark. Varun Sood and Devangshi Sen, playing Indrani’s rebellious children, are visually appealing but lack expressive range.
Disappointment
While there’s a certain satisfaction in witnessing Karma’s retribution, the ease with which she achieves it feels ludicrous. She disrupts Indrani’s life and dismantles her allies with minimal effort. The only saving grace is the potential for a satisfying conclusion, with Karma potentially inflicting further damage and achieving ultimate closure.
Verdict
“Karmma Calling” fails to deliver on its promise of a captivating revenge drama. It lacks the emotional depth and conviction needed to truly resonate with viewers. The superficial writing and stereotypical characters leave a lot to be desired.
While some performances elevate the experience slightly, the overall impact is underwhelming. If you’re looking for a gripping revenge story with complex characters, “Karmma Calling” is best left unanswered.