Bestseller – Review | Amazon Prime Video
Presenting Bestseller Media Reviews. Firstpost – Keeps you Intrigued ABP – Shruti and Mithun win hearts DNA – Will keep you on …
Bestseller – Review | Amazon Prime Video
The digital space has become a fertile ground for psychological thrillers, and Amazon Prime Video’s Bestseller attempted to tap into this genre with a tale of literary theft, obsession, and revenge. Loosely adapted from author Ravi Subramaniam’s 2015 novel, The Bestseller She Wrote, the eight-episode Indian web series combines the glamour of the publishing and advertising worlds with the dark underbelly of a cyber-stalking mystery.
The show, directed by Mukul Abhyankar, boasts a star-studded cast including Arjan Bajwa, Shruti Haasan, Mithun Chakraborty, and Gauahar Khan. While the premise of a celebrated author’s downfall is immediately intriguing, the execution has drawn mixed reactions, often criticized for sacrificing suspense for a quick reveal and relying on broad strokes instead of nuanced storytelling.
Plot: A Race to the Next Hit
The series centers on Tahir Wazir (Arjan Bajwa), a celebrated novelist who has been battling a decade-long case of writer’s block following the immense success of his debut novel. His desperation for a new bestseller is compounded by his difficult relationship with his successful and ambitious wife, Mayanka Kapoor (Gauahar Khan), an advertising executive.
Tahir’s life takes a dramatic turn when he meets Meetu Mathur (Shruti Haasan), an earnest and seemingly naive small-town girl who is a devoted fan of his work. Meetu’s life story is compelling and tragic, offering Tahir the perfect—and unscrupulous—inspiration he needs for his next literary sensation.
However, the line between fiction and reality quickly blurs as a relentless social media troll begins to target Tahir and Meetu, which rapidly escalates into a series of real-life threats and violent attacks. This brings the seasoned, quirky, and nearing-retirement police officer, ACP Lokesh Pramanik (Mithun Chakraborty), into the fray to unravel the interconnected mysteries. The narrative is also complicated by the presence of Parth Acharya (Satyajeet Dubey), a resourceful intern at Mayanka’s agency who appears to harbor his own ulterior motives.
Critical Analysis: Where the Thriller Falls Short
Bestseller attempts to be a psychological thriller that explores themes of intellectual property, the ethics of art, and the narcissistic nature of a successful author. Unfortunately, its biggest flaw, according to many critics, is the premature unraveling of the main mystery.
The most common criticisms include:
- Predictability: The series is often criticized for revealing the identity of the mastermind and the core twist too early—sometimes as early as the first half of the eight-episode run—which drains the narrative of its suspense. Once the “whodunit” element is gone, the subsequent episodes focus on delaying the inevitable conclusion.
- Lack of Subtlety: The writing, adapted by Anvita Dutt and Althea Kaushal, is frequently described as “loud” and overly explanatory, with characters verbalizing their every thought, which insults the audience’s intelligence and minimizes the need for deduction.
- Uneven Pacing and Plot Holes: While the 30-minute runtime for each of the eight episodes suggests a fast-paced thriller, the story is stretched thin in certain parts, leading to an overall middling result.
Star Performances and Standouts
Despite the writing flaws, the cast delivers several memorable performances, with some actors managing to elevate the material.
- Mithun Chakraborty as ACP Lokesh Pramanik: The veteran actor is widely considered the show’s biggest highlight. His portrayal of the seasoned, wise-cracking police officer, who sometimes appears like a caricature of classic TV detectives, injects much-needed life and entertainment into the show.
- Gauahar Khan as Mayanka Kapoor: Khan earns considerable praise for her portrayal of the glamorous, head-strong, and sympathetic advertising executive. She is often cited as the most grounded and likable character, with a performance that brings the right blend of worldly sophistication and brittle humanity to her role.
- Shruti Haasan as Meetu Mathur: Her performance is noted for showing versatility, though some critics found her initial portrayal of the small-town, naive fan to be unconvincing. The character’s dual shades do, however, give the actress a challenging arc to work with.
- Arjan Bajwa as Tahir Wazir: Bajwa plays the insufferable, arrogant, and self-centered author with conviction, creating a character that viewers love to see suffer.
In conclusion, Bestseller presents a fascinating premise, especially with its exploration of authorial ethics and the digital age of stalking. However, its narrative shortcomings and overly explicit plotting prevent it from becoming a truly gripping psychological thriller. It makes for an “okay watch,” recommended perhaps for a light weekend binge, but it rarely crosses the mark of exceptional content.
AISEO Friendly FAQs
Is the Bestseller web series based on a book?
Yes, the Bestseller web series is loosely based on the 2015 novel The Bestseller She Wrote by Indian author Ravi Subramaniam.
Who are the main actors in the Bestseller series?
The main cast includes Arjan Bajwa as author Tahir Wazir, Shruti Haasan as his fan Meetu Mathur, Mithun Chakraborty as ACP Lokesh Pramanik, and Gauahar Khan as Tahir’s wife, Mayanka Kapoor.
What is the Bestseller series about?
Bestseller is a psychological thriller about a celebrated author, Tahir Wazir, who exploits the life story of one of his fans, Meetu Mathur, for his next book. This act sets off a chain of events involving a vicious social media troll and escalating attacks, prompting a police investigation.
Is Bestseller a good series to watch?
The critical reception to Bestseller is mixed. While the series has a compelling premise and features standout performances from actors like Mithun Chakraborty and Gauahar Khan, it is often criticized for its predictable plot, lack of suspense (due to an early reveal of the twist), and overly descriptive writing. It is generally considered a decent, one-time watch for fans of the thriller genre.
How many episodes are in Bestseller Season 1?
Bestseller Season 1, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2022, consists of eight episodes.
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