Rudra: The Edge of Darkness Web Review - Not a worthy OTT debut for Ajay Devgn

Ajay Devgn in Rudra: The Edge of Darkness

Rudra: The Edge of Darkness
On: Disney+ Hotstar
Dir: Rajesh Mapuskar
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Raashii Khanna, Esha Deol
Rating: 2/5

Ajay Devgn may have taken his time to jump on the OTT bandwagon, but in his first attempt, the actor nails his character in Rudra: The Edge of Darkness. The Disney+ Hotstar's series is an official adaptation of the acclaimed BBC show, Luther, immortalised by Idris Elba. While the show has been altered to match pan-India sensibilities, director Rajesh Mapuskar fails to keep viewers hooked.

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The show revolves around DCP Rudraveer Singh, who is part of the Special Crimes Unit of the Mumbai Police, and the scrutiny he is under despite being the best in the field. Exploring a space he has often conquered with the Singham franchise and Gangaajal, Devgn still manages to showcase a new side of his cop character in the six-part series. Every episode revolves around a new case that puts the famed cop to the test. The first episode introduces Raashii Khanna's Aliyah Choksi - a child prodigy, a genius in space research and a suspect in a double homicide case. She is a recurring character in the series, typically seen affecting Rudra's shaky personal and professional life. The sizzling chemistry between Rudra and Aliyah is the saving grace in the series. Khanna emulates the layered mind of a sociopath and her character's complexities with ease. Rudra also marks the web debut of Esha Deol, who plays Devgn's wife in the show. Although she struggles to perform convincingly, the writers have ensured to make her character seem relatable.

Touted as a gripping psychological thriller, the show manages to keep you on tenterhooks for the first three episodes, but the slow pace and predictable finale fails to build the suspense. Set in Mumbai, the show seems unrealistically lavish, thus compromising on capturing the authenticity of the city and its buzzing roads. For those who have not seen Luther, and are die-hard fans of Devgn, the series could be watchable. The credit solely belongs to the star actor who beautifully etches the flaws of the character, evoking empathy in viewers. He effortlessly creates magic on screen, but as an actor he surely deserves better.

All in all, the show eventually boils down to a ‘CID-ish' procedural. Stronger plots and better execution would have boosted this series. Devoid of the dramatics that Devgn's other cop antics are famous for and the grit that a well-done cop story should've had, Devgn's OTT outing is lacklustre.