INSIPID

SinhaSomesh

#FinalVerdict

Aashram - an MX Player original series - is an indescribable boring experience. A thesis on guilty pleasure entertainment! Directed by Prakash Jha, the series lacks the power to keep you glued to the screen.

Given the topic amassed on the plate, one could explore so much. But in Aashram, the story only moves in the penultimate moments. Director Prakash Jha could've explored so much given the choice of the subject but he's letdown terribly by the script. The problem with Aashram begins soon after the characters and their diverse characteristics are introduced. The closing moments are interesting because it's at this juncture that there's some movement. But it's too late by then. The viewer is exasperated by now!

Aashram is shoddy in every possible way! This is a poorly assembled, terrifically tacky and tremendously ill-conceived show. After the disappointing Class Of 83, Bobby Deol is again reduced to a supporting presence in this MX Player original series. Ideally, Bobby Deol should have been given a role befitting his top-billing. Also, the 'sex scenes' are forcefully inserted into the plot and for some bizarre reason, these scenes have been self-censored but the language and the violence aren't censored at all.

More minuses! Advait Nemlekar's background score is jarring. Also, the length is a problem. In this case, the run time seems never-ending (Editor: Santosh Mandal). The series goes on and on and after a point, you actually want to scream, 'Enough!'. Chandan Kowli's cinematography is passable. Director Prakash Jha has tried to recreate the magic of his earlier hits but failed miserably. Moreover, the series has a huge cast but only Bobby Deol, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Aaditi Pohankar and Darshan Kumaar leave an impact.

On the whole, Aashram has precious little to offer. It has a body, but no soul. It's very high on hype but very low on substance. A moviegoer wants a riveting story more than anything else. This series is definitely worth a miss!

score 2/10

SinhaSomesh 28 August 2020

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw6033348/