
BOTTOM LINE
Thrilling Historic Ride
PLATFORM
Disney+ Hotstar
Run Time
3 hours 30 minutes, 6 episodes (approx)
What Is the Show The Secret of the Shiledar About?
After losing his parents in an accident in childhood, Ravi is raised by the Bhatts and has a loving brother in Aditya. He grows up a history enthusiast and bumps into a judge Dixit, who reminds him of his duty as a Shiledar and reveals the mystery behind his parents’ death. Soon implicated in a crime, Ravi embarks on a quest to uncover a hidden treasure.
Performances
Rajeev Khandelwal, after a long gap, finally gets a story that makes commendable use of his acting mettle. Even in the middle of a busy plot, the actor is a picture of composure and restraint in the shoes of Dr Ravi. Sai Tamhankar has an equally crucial role to play with her dual identities and she proves to be a fine team player as part of a trio chasing the treasure.
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Gaurav Amlani is a bundle of enthusiasm, bringing a lightness to the proceedings. Ashish Vidyarthi is helped by an author-backed role (quite literally!). Kannan Arunachalam, Dilip Prabhavalkar, and Kumar Kanchan Ghosh are entrusted with simplistic characters that may not offer any element of intrigue but serve their purpose in the story.
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Analysis
Aditya Sarpotdar, who shot to fame with 2024’s surprise blockbuster Munjya, returns to his home territory – OTT – after a couple of years with an adventure series The Secret of the Shiledars, an adaptation of the Marathi novel Pratipaschandra, written by Dr. Prakash Koyade. It offers a fascinating mix of history, adventure and fantasy in a modern-day setting.
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That it was adapted from a well-written book lends it an edge right away, with a finely researched, engaging plot seeped in adventure and history, accommodating influences of the Maratha, and Vijayanagara kingdoms around the Raigad region. The characters are fleshed out with care, the timely twists keep the screenplay alive and the layered plot is executed precisely.
The protagonist Ravi belongs to a family of Shiledars – who guard the king’s treasure from going into the wrong hands. He loses his parents at a young age for the same reason. After being adopted by another family, destiny woos Ravi back to his roots through an encounter with a judge. En route to the treasure, many obstacles come his way, but his resolve remains unaffected.
Apart from Ravi, the story also centres on Aditya (a pivotal part who also provides occasional comic relief), an undercover cop Priyal (who’s misguided by a bureaucrat but she eventually finds the truth), a crooked governor Ramachandran and a curious historian Pratap Chandra Rao. All have their motives and they need to be on their toes while chased by cops and goons.
The series wins your attention mainly because it finds a knack for blending a riveting fictional plot with a strong historical link – on the lines of Dan Brown and Ashwin Sanghi’s novels (attempting to be a low-stakes Indiana Jones?). The director ups the ante gradually and brings believability to the events in a racy story with well-defined characters and their actions.
Ravi is introduced as a common man with a not-so-common past, and you stay on the same page as him as he moves past various stages to unearth the treasure through his journey. The series is consistently on the move, and the narrative is busy and leaves a viewer gasping for breath. Though its trajectory can be predictable, the crisp writing and detailing help its cause.
Overall, The Secret of the Shiledars is a welcome break from the formulaic dramas and thrillers with a dose of gore, crime and sex on OTT. It has a playful quality to it and a director with a firm command over his source material. An excellent technical team is at the helm, helping a complex plot come alive authentically. This is a pleasant surprise. Go for it!
Music and Other Departments?
Undoubtedly, the composer duo Troy and Arif provide an element of sophistication and richness to the proceedings with a stylish score, enhancing the intrigue. Sukesh Vishwanath’s cinematography is a sight for sore eyes, aided by Priya Suhas’ production design and a terrific choice of locations. The reasonably crisp episode runtime (35 minutes) ensures you stay invested in the series.
Highlights?
An engaging layered plot that blends history and fantasy
Believable execution, good characters
Fine performances
Drawbacks?
Takes time to get going
Some coincidences feel too convenient
The characters could’ve been challenged more
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
If adventure sagas give adrenaline rush, go for it
The Secret of the Shiledars Web Series Review by M9