‘Mohanagar 2’: a gritty masterpiece
When "Mohanagar" Season 1 was released in June last year, it became a sensation in no time. With fans anticipating the next season to be equally good, Ashfaque Nipun's creation has crossed all bounds of perfection. The new season, a brilliantly made thriller, makes "Mohanagar" one of the best creations of Bangladesh in the OTT scene.
The second season revolves around an investigation of the famous OC Harun Ur Rashid, played by Mosharraf Karim. Another legend, Fazlur Rahman Babu plays the role of the investigator. With mental games going on in terms of the tense investigation, the story of Afnan Chowdhury, played by Shamol Mawla goes on in the background.
Often, most series end up being disappointing with new seasons, "Mohanagar" seems like a breath of fresh air. The cinematography, along with the right background scores, create a perfect ambience for a thriller. The ensemble cast consisting of Afsana Mini, Sarker Raunak Ripon among others deliver very convincing and enthralling performances.
What contributes most to the popularity of the series in Bangladesh as well as West Bengal is the depth of its characters. We don't see binary, one dimensional characters often witnessed in crime thrillers. Instead, we see flawed people, as seen in reality with back stories and incentives. The character OC Harun has achieved such a stature because he has a moral compass, despite being involved in certain cases of corruption. This makes him someone the audiences want to root for, someone whose folly seems dear and definitely relatable.
This element of real-life inspired art makes "Mohanagar" a must watch. Nipun reflects on very sensitive topics, and explores the undercurrent of society. There are multiple anecdotes to relish, and a delicate metaphorical display.
The series touches on the multiple dimensions of life and lifestyle that go on in Dhaka and Bangladesh. This has been a continuation of Season 1, where tales from the posh-est parties to the shabbiest shacks were tied in one narrative. Season 2 delves deeper into this, viewing various aspects of life from multiple lenses. One sees life from the eyes of women. One witnesses the perils of being marginalized.
These diverse, complex characters interact to form a tale which one knows is very common, and yet never before had been depicted with such intensity. The cinematic vision, storyline and execution coalesce into a gripping thriller with the most unpredictable, yet neither melodramatic nor unrealistic, twists. "Mohanagar" is a tale you just can't miss.