Zee5’s Marathi series, Andhar Maya, sets a promising tone across its seven episodes, aiming to immerse viewers in a world of suspense and unease. The initial premise, involving a family’s pursuit of property following a patriarch’s demise in a Konkan village, suggests a narrative brimming with potential. However, the series doesn’t fully realize its initial promise.
Director Bhimrao Mude and the writers resort to well-worn horror clichés. The overuse of the ‘someone-is-watching’ camera angle detracts from the suspense. Kishore Kadam, a prominent Marathi actor, provides a strong performance, but the show leans too heavily on closeups to convey a sense of dread. The character’s descent into ghoulishness is emphasized to the detriment of the narrative.
The series struggles to maintain a consistent level of fear, and the supposed dread emanating from the ancestral home fails to materialize. The audience is left observing actors acting scared instead of experiencing genuine fear.
The series also hints at the deceased owner’s gender ambiguity, who had a history of performing in drag. However, the exploration of this aspect remains superficial. Ultimately, Andhar Maya’s primary strength lies in its setting. As a cautionary tale regarding ancestral properties, the series is moderately effective. However, as a horror endeavor, it falls short due to a lack of essential elements. The limited use of a single, crumbling location and the absence of other horror staples contribute to its shortcomings.