BOTTOM LINE
Quirky Cyber Crime Saga Has Its Moments
PLATFORM
JioHotstar
RUNTIME
3 Hours (approximately, 6 episodes)
What Is the Show About?
When Pritam and his grandfather go to the police station to report their lost radio, the latter’s only memory of his late wife, they are brushed aside. However, a tech-savvy Pritam takes charge of the situation, striking up a friendship with Pedro, a middle-aged cop. Their skill is put to the test as they team up to solve a high-stakes case involving the disappearance of a sports minister’s son.
Performances
Arshad Warsi gives the show texture, lending it the innocence, wit and the lived-in experience of a middle-aged man who has seen life and is good at his work. His strong screen presence and comic timing give an identity to Pedro. What strikes you immediately about debutant Vir Hirani is his firm, confident voice. While he is a promising find, one feels he could have brought more believability to Pritam.
Vikrant Massey’s mettle is not really put to good use in a lacklustre role. The character arc feels incomplete and does not truly offer an insight into Martin’s psyche convincingly enough. Mona Singh’s part as a grieving mother is also slightly uni-dimensional and lacks personality. Satyadeep Misra and Shruti Marathe are handed meaty roles. The supporting cast, comprising Vinod Nagpal, Rajesh Sharma, Bharat Ganeshpure and Ajay Jadhav, add credibility to the setting.
Analysis
Pritam and Pedro, helmed by noted cinematographer and filmmaker Avinash Arun and backed by Raj Kumar Hirani, offers the viewer an imaginative, contemporary spin on a conventional police procedural drama. Based on Hidden Files and Return of the Trojan Horse, books authored by cyber-investigator Amit Dubey, it tackles the dangers lurking in a digital world with a playful, childlike touch.
At the heart of it are two street-smart protagonists who grapple with loss and regret, and go about their work with earnestness. Pritam, a tech-geek in his 20s, lives with his grandfather and sells vacuum cleaners for a living. The middle-aged cop Pedro’s relationship with his wife has strained following his son’s death. As the duo unites for a missing person case, it unexpectedly brings them closure.
The feather-light storytelling is dolloped with lifelike humour, while never diluting its emotional stakes. An otherwise pragmatic Pritam, who solves tech issues at the drop of a hat, is adamant that the police find his grandfather’s four-decade-old radio. Pedro, as part of a punishment posting at a cyber cell, struggles to understand why a keyboard does not have letters placed in alphabetical order.
Pedro is not made to feel like an outsider in his new position. An empathetic colleague warms him up with comforting words on how life changes rather quickly and adapting to it is not always easy. Moreover, the foundation for the unusual partnership between an out-of-place cop and a sharp young man is laid effectively and drives the tale forward.
Away from the bustle of a metropolis, the Goa setting is helpful, as the characters remain well-connected, navigating a compact world to solve their problems. A unique digital dimension to a supposed kidnapping case of a school-going child lends novelty to the investigation. It speaks of the evolving nature of crime and the dangers that could penetrate your home without your knowledge.
While linking Pritam’s past to the cyber crime investigation almost oversimplifies the case as an attempt at vengeance, what works better is the opportunity it provides to Pedro to deal with his son’s loss. It addresses modern-day parenting challenges with a pinch of salt and a child’s need to be heard and seen, without trivialising their concerns.
The choice to resolve the case so tamely and the culprit’s convenient transformation comes as a disappointment, especially when the narrative is otherwise clever, funny and sensitive. Perhaps it would have been impactful to deal with the missing radio as a parallel subplot more effectively. Yet, like life itself, it is imperfect, with highs, lows, sparks and dull patches, and still very watchable.
Make time for Pritam and Pedro, a smart cyber crime comedy with quirky characters, lively performances and a relevant conflict, even if the villain is underwhelming.
Music and Other Departments?
The music score, by Sanjay Wandrekar, complements the show’s comic-book style execution – vibrant, emotional and still not heavy on the mind. Shantanu Moitra’s only song sums up the core intent of the show poignantly: the importance of letting go, forgiving and saying sorry when necessary.
Cinematographer Avinash Arun’s outlook towards Goa stands out because he views it as a region with a distinct identity beyond the glossy beaches, drugs and sun-bathed crowds. As editor, Raj Kumar Hirani ensures a good narrative rhythm to the proceedings. The writers, including Swanand Kirkire, Abhijat Joshi and Suyash Trivedi, ensure that the core intent of the story comes across transparently, even if the characters could have been etched out better.
Highlights?
On-screen equation between Vir Hirani and Arshad Warsi
Unique premise surrounding cyber-crime
Funny, emotional and engaging at once
Drawbacks?
Under-developed characters
Cast not used to full potential
Weak climax
Did I Enjoy It?
Generally yes
Will You Recommend It?
If you’d want to watch a light yet relevant cyber crime investigation story, give it a try.
Pritam and Pedro Web Series Reviewed by M9 News
