Ok, so I have just about squeezed a review in today. There was much deliberation on whether I should watch Flesh, the new web series released on Eros Now or not. The imdb rating wasn’t inspiring enough and the reviews were a bit mixed yet I had that tingling feeling on watching it. Finally, I decided to go with my gut and subscribed to this new OTT platform. The trailer I must admit was raw and gritty and looked promising, was the series as promising, stay tuned for my honest and unbiased review.

Flesh is the story of a girl going missing and soon suspected to be a victim of human trafficking. Enter ACP Radha Nautiyal to the rescue. The story is on the lines of the Rani Mukerji starrer Mardaani. But this being a webseries, the characters are more fleshed out and there are multiple plot points and sidetracks for a wholesome viewership. The screenplay filled with sexual innuendos and expletives is extremely hard hitting so much so that at times you feel uncomfortable watching the drama. But that is how the reality is and so full marks to the writing for keeping it raw. Also, the twists and turns will keep you invested culminating into a shocking pre climax. On the downside, the final revelation seems a bit too convenient, I wasn’t quite convinced with the reasoning and it seems a bit forced. Also, the pacing in the middle is a minor issue but thankfully it gets back on track. The dialogues and BGM are good. Director Danish Aslam who had directed the frothy Deepika-Imran starrer Break ke Baad makes a complete U-Turn here. He is in great form here and he does go all guns blazing with the drama.

The performances are outstanding(most of them). Kavin Dave as Jayant, Chandana Sharma and Nikhil Sangha as the NGO workers and Geeta Sharma as Jassi(outstanding actually) all have moments to shine. Urvazi Kotwal as Sana has a good screen presence and does a good job here. Rohit Mehra as Rohan and Chaitanya Sardeshpande as Viju are both good. Natasa Stankovic is alright in an underwritten character. Rahul Dutta as Simon is outstanding. The two little kids essaying roles of Rajji and Rajat are both excellent. Yudhistir Urs as Shekhar(90s kids like me remember him as VJ Yudi) is a pleasant surprise. Vidya Malavade as Reba is highly underrated and she is excellent here. Sidhant Behl as Naman is alright. Mahima Makwana as Zoya is such a natural and has a bright prospect going forward. Akshay Oberoi as Taj is menacing and deliciously brilliant. He will anger you yet intimidate you with his character portrayal. Swara Bhasker as ACP Radha has done a good job here. Totally convincing(atleast to me) in the role of a supercop with a dark past.

Flesh has pleasantly surprised me. It is raw, gritty and disturbing and an outstanding watch. Do not fall prey to the trolls, Flesh is available on Eros Now and Highly Recommended!