India rarely tries zombie apocalypse series or films . The last one in Hindi was back in 2020 called Betaal that was okayish but most importantly it was an out and out zombie apocalypse series. Dahan is not exactly that.
Dahan is about a mysterious place called Shilaspura which hides a mystery underneath a "Shila" or rock which the people in that village believe to be locking a socerers son called Raakan who has the capability of cursing people if let free. However, things start to get disastrous when Avani and her mining team decide to open up a mine in that village which is exactly below the Shila which they do and from there onwards, chaos follows.
This series is a brave attempt in mixing superstition and science in one bowl. Very rarely does india attempt series like this and in the last few years, this one comes across as a refreshing watch.
The screenplay is gripping and with each episode, i became curious to know 1. What exactly was the blue thing underneath the Shila 2. Avani's past 3. The ultimate consequence of the apocalypse. Yes the series is extremely lengthy which I'll talk about in a minute but there is not a single boring moment. Often the series gave off some "The mummy" or "Indiana Jones" vibes which too was something i liked.
The series makes you wonder that all the apocalypse happening around is really a curse or does it have a scientific explanation. Well, the series explains it, kinda partially. It is also noteworthy that this series does not show a full fledged apocalypse any time so don't compare it with other zombie series like All of us are dead etc those were out an out zombie apocalypse cum survival series but Dahan includes more than just mere survival. In fact, Dahan only becomes a more survival like series only in the last 2 episodes.
Tisca Chopra does a terrific job as Avani. I would say the makers need to come up with the history of her character because (minor spoilers ahead but won't be affecting much) she manages to survive zombie (called Raakan here) bites and doctors pass it off as mere natural consequence. Well, i feel there is more . Saurabh shuka is terrific as pramukh. Great to see our dear old Vasooli bhai back in action as an inspector and he lends a good hand to this series. Others have done a decent job as well.
Coming to the negatives now. Avani's son Anay (don't know his real name). He has a weird character and weird unnecessary moments in the series. He speaks English a lot and even in front of the expected uneducated villagers and it seems they understand him. Logic where? His story with the teenage gang is quite forced and unnecessary especially that one scene where he falls over Rani and attempts to kiss is the last thing I would want to see in a series like this.
The stuff that is underneath the rock when revealed then we do not have a proper explanation as to what that thing is. Probably a new season could explain it but the ending doesn't suggest a new season which could be a bummer cuz i really wanted to know what TF was that stuff shown underneath the rock.
There is one construction manager who is the biggest idiot on planet literally shouting at his workers at a time when they are all infected was hilarious.
Overall, a brave attempt at a topic like this. It clearly falters in explaining certain important things but what i liked is they made an attempt, a good attempt in making an engaging series.
