Duranga is an Indian Hindi-language ZEE5 original web-series that is adapted from the Korean drama Flower of Evil. The first season premiered on 19 August 2022 and was directed by Pradeep Sarkar and Aijaz Khan. It features Gulshan Devaiah and Drashti Dhami.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Duranga
GenreCrime Thriller
Created byGoldie Behl
Inspired byFlower of Evil
Written byCharudutt Acharya
Screenplay byCharudutt Acharya
Directed bySeason 1 Pradeep Sarkar & Aijaz Khan
Season 2 Rohan Sippy
StarringGulshan Devaiah
Drashti Dhami
Amit Sadh
Music byRipul Sharma & George Joseph
Country of originIndia
Original languageHindi
No. of episodesS1 9
S2 8
Production
Executive producerAnup Poddar
ProducerGoldie Behl Shradha Singh
CinematographyQuais Waseeq
EditorAbhijit Desphande & Hrishikesh Petwe
Production companyRose Audio Visuals pvt. Ltd
Original release
NetworkZEE5
Release19 August 2022 (2022-08-19)

Following the first season's success, the series was renewed for the second season.[7] It premiered on October 24, 2023, and is directed by Rohan Sippy.[8] Amit Sadh joined the cast as one of the primary characters.

Plot edit

While investigating a gory copy-cat killing that follows the modus operandi of a 17 year old serial killing case, a Mumbai crime branch officer re-opens the spine-chilling case that had rocked a small coastal town near Mumbai, only to find out that there was an accomplice who was never nabbed. To her horror, that partner in crime could be her life partner, the doting father of her six-year-old daughter, her ‘perfect’ husband of 11 years.[9][10][11]

Cast edit

Reception edit

Season 1 edit

Duranga received mostly positive reviews from critics. Ruchi Kaushal of Hindustan Times wrote, "Creator Goldie Behl deserves a bow this time for the clarity with which he presents the intense, multi-climax drama.".[16] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave it 3 stars and concludes," it delivers a steady stream of twists and turns designed to keep you hooked from start to finish."[17] Nandini Ramnath of Scroll.in wrote, "Once you accept Duranga’s premise – the son of a serial killer himself accused of murder who marries a police officer while on the run from the law – it’s easy enough to swallow everything that follows.".[18] Manisha Lakhe of Network18 remarked, "Zee 5 has hit the jackpot with this show. This could trigger a trend of production companies seeking K-dramas for remakes.".[19]

On the contrary, Lakshana N Palat of The Indian Express rated it low and wrote "Duranga misses each opportunity to craft a deeply moving, impactful and suspense-ridden show."[20]

Season 2 edit

The Times of India rated it 3.5 out of 5, and commented, "The well-drawn characters and numerous plot twists keep viewers engaged throughout"[21] News18 India praised the show stating, "Amit Sadh, Gulshan Devaiah Are Brilliant In Gripping Psychological Thriller."[22]

The show drew flak from Deepa Gahlot who in her review wrote, "Mental health advocates will find plenty to get upset about."[23]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Duranga trailer: Drashti Dhami and Gulshan Devaiah promise an intriguing adaptation". The Indian Express. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Gulshan Devaiah on working with Drashti Dhami in Duranga: 'She is very sweet & amp'". Firstpost. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Gulshan Devaiah and Drashti Dhami talk about their ZEE5 show Duranga". Hindustan Times. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  4. ^ Service, Tribune News. "Duranga announces its release date". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Duranga trailer: Gulshan Devaiah, Drashti Dhami star in this Korean adaptation". The Indian Express. 28 July 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Trailer Out Now of ZEE5 Original Series, Duranga starring Gulshan Devaiah and Drashti Dhami". India Forums. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  7. ^ "'Duranga' is back with Season 2! Gulshan Devaiah revealed that shooting has begun". EconomicTimes.com. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Amit Sadh, Drashti Dhami and Rohan Sippy say 'it was opposite of pressure' to work in Duranga Season 2". dnaindia.com. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  9. ^ Today, Telangana (6 August 2022). "ZEE5's Original series 'Duranga' trailer out now". Telangana Today. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  10. ^ Hungama, Bollywood (26 July 2022). "Drashti Dhami and Gulshan Devaiah to star in Korean drama Flower Of Evil remake Duranga on ZEE5, first look unveiled : Bollywood News - Bollywood Hungama". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Gulshan Devaiah reacts to criticism of non-queer casting in Badhaai Do: 'It's a bit of ridiculous debate'". Hindustan Times. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Zee5 announces the gripping romantic thriller Duranga teaser out now". Firstpost. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Duranga: क्राइम-सस्पेंस से भरपूर है दृष्टि धामी की दुरंगा का ट्रेलर, पति के खौफनाक चेहरे से उठाएंगी पर्दा?". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  14. ^ टीम, एबीपी माझा वेब (6 August 2022). "'माझ्या नवऱ्याची बायको' फेम अभिनेता अभिजीत खांडकेकरचं ओटीटीवर पदार्पण!". marathi.abplive.com (in Marathi). Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  15. ^ a b c "Duranga Trailer Out! Drashti Dhami, Gulshan Devaiah's Remake of K-Drama Series Flower of Evil To Arrive on ZEE5 on August 19 (Watch Video) | 📺 LatestLY". LatestLY. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
  16. ^ Duranga Review: Gulshan Devaiah delivers his career-best performance opposite Drashti Dhami in creepy thriller, retrieved 19 August 2022
  17. ^ Duranga Review: A Cocktail Or Murder, Mental Turmoil And Veiled Motives, retrieved 19 August 2022
  18. ^ 'Duranga' review: Suspend disbelief if you want to enjoy the twists, retrieved 19 August 2022
  19. ^ Duranga review: An awesome adaptation of K-drama 'Flower Of Evil' opens up possibilities!, retrieved 19 August 2022
  20. ^ "Gulshan Devaiah-Drashti Dhami's Duranga is a bland, soulless adaptation of Lee Joon-gi's emotionally volatile Flower Of Evil". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
  21. ^ "Duranga Season 2 Review". timesofindia.com. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  22. ^ "Duranga 2 Review: Amit Sadh, Gulshan Devaiah Are Brilliant In Gripping Psychological Thriller". news18.com. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Review: 'Duranga' season 2 struggles to justify its return". scroll.in. Retrieved 25 October 2023.

External links edit