Movie Name:Rudra: The Edge of Darkness
Critics Rating: 3.5 / 5
Release Date: MAR 4, 2022
Director: Rajesh Mapuskar
Genre: crime drama

Rudra: The Edge of Darkness had managed to garner much hype, after all the show marks Ajay Devgn's debut in the web series format. It is a remake of Idris Elba's thriller show Luther and a shot-by-shot copy of it. Ajay plays a devoted cop in the gritty drama, who believes in taking the law into his own hands. His instincts are strong and that's what drives his investigation of the cases.

The actor's instincts also drive the show in general. While the cases are episodic, his personal story forms the arc in the six-episode series. The web show is packaged into a psychodrama that advances fast enough to retain you from thinking too hard. The show thrives off the apprehension around crimes ensuing in Mumbai city and Rudra's personal battles. Ajay's character is world-weary. He gives an endearing performance as Rudra. The show often wobbles on the edge of plausibility but Ajay's intensely grounded performance keeps the show from fumbling over-the-top.

The story begins with DCP Rudraveer 'Rudra' Singh chasing a suspect. While he focuses on catching the bad guys, there are slight hints of mystery at play on the personal front. This infiltrates Rudra with an urgency that makes the episodes intriguing. There are slower-paced scenes, but they have an air of uneasiness adding more layers to the show.

There are moments when Rudra appears rudimentary. The cases are often cracked by the titular character's quirk and inventiveness. Eventually, it's the pragmatic mixture of his personal drama and the high stake of the crimes that make the show engrossing. It actually benefits in terms of buying into the character's motivations. Also, it adds adequate drama for the audience to enjoy.

Ajay, without any doubt, is the focal point here. Thanks to his sharp bites of dialogue you won't regret watching it. The supporting cast is equally impressive. Ashwini Kalsekar as Commissioner Deepali Handa, Esha Deol as Shaila Addagatla, Raashii Khanna as Dr Aliyah Choksi, in addition to Atul Kulkarni and Ashish Vidyarthi play their parts effortlessly.

Rudra: The Edge of Darkness' strength lies in its simplicity. The makers never try to sell the audience complicated dishes. Just like Rudra, the viewer will probably be able to guess the culprit right away but the titular character and his quest to prove the same is the winner here.

In comparison to the British original, Luther, while Elba’s John Luther is a loud, volatile man, Devgn’s Rudraveer Singh is grim and earnest. With droopy eyes, he says his lines sheepishly and uses minimum tonality to express. For instance, he knows things are a mess in his personal life, yet when he confronts his wife about the same reaching her boyfriend's home, he pulls off the scene with the bare minimum.

On the directorial front, Rudra borrows the vibe of Luther. Production-wise it appears to be a show made in the west. The makers have given the show a look like a vigilante film more than a crime drama. However, it doesn't work in its favour always. At times, the show appears too non-Indian for the Indian audience. The makers have refrained from making any changes to the original storyline. Maybe they should have to make it feel more authentic. Also, some additional cuts here and there would have reduced the run-time making the show an easy watch for binging.

To sum it up, Rudra: The Edge of Darkness has its flaws but Ajay Devgn's sombre characterisation make it worth the watch. You may come to the show to see the Bollywood superstar but you won't mind staying here for the love of thrillers.

Directed by Rajesh Mapushkar and produced by Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India, 'Rudra - The Edge of Darkness' can be streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.