logo
Black, White and Gray Love Kills review: A plot told with conviction, backed by solid performances

Black, White and Gray Love Kills review: A plot told with conviction, backed by solid performances

Indian Express02-05-2025

There are flashes of familiarity in Black, White and Gray—Love Kills in the broad thematic connections it is attempting at, between young lovers on the run, and the obstacles that come in their way. Patriarchy, parental opposition, class differences, power structures, are all present in this crime drama, reminding you of several others that have come before. But it stands out in the way it takes us along the ride, joining and erasing the dots, while creating vivid portraits of its characters and societal mores.
I watched the six episodes of about 40-45 minutes each in a single gulp, because it got me invested in the people it was tracking, and wanted to know what happens next. Yes, there are contrivances — the structure of a documentary filmmaker speaking to 'real' people, with a parallel track being played out by those standing in for them, is the biggest of them all — and a few slack, improbable patches, but they are not deal breakers.
Often a mockumentary style calls attention to itself, and stands in between conviction and disbelief. Here, the seguing between the 'real characters' and the actors playing them is pretty seamless, as the boy (Mayur More) and the girl (Palak Jaiswal) run from danger, whose degree shifts with locations (Nagpur, Hyderabad, Uttarakhand, Nepal) and people: a Malayali cab driver (Hakkim Shahjahan), an ex-cop (Tigmanshu Dhulia) having trouble with his sight, an on-duty cop (Kamlesh Sawant), a bounty hunter (Deven Bhojani) and a few others.
A couple of strands don't work as well as the others, especially the ones with a reporter, standing in for a famous real-life man of courage, switching sides, and a haranguing TV anchor, also a stand-in: as ever, the moment a web series tries to get in an authentic portrayal of a newsroom, it comes both comic-book and stagey. Some dialogues are so on-the-nose that you stop in your tracks.
But when it comes to the thing between the 'boy' and 'girl' who go smartly unnamed, it is on the money. Strong mutual attraction doesn't see class, or caste (not specified, again, but clearly hinted at), and both More and Jaiswal are excellent. So is the 'real boy': Sanjay Kumar Sahu's subtle shifts in expression, caught by an adept camera, tell us more than his lines. And Tigmanshu Dhulia's flavourful turn reminds us, over again, that he should do more acting work.
This is an example of a well-cast ensemble working together: having stars front a story almost always causes dis-balance. A plot told with conviction and backed by solid performances, is all you need.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Doechii uses BET awards victory to spotlight LA protests and criticize Trump administration
Doechii uses BET awards victory to spotlight LA protests and criticize Trump administration

Economic Times

time2 hours ago

  • Economic Times

Doechii uses BET awards victory to spotlight LA protests and criticize Trump administration

At the 2025 BET Awards, Doechii wins Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. She uses her speech to highlight Los Angeles protests. These protests are against ICE raids and military deployment. Doechii criticizes Trump's response to demonstrations. She advocates for marginalized groups and unity. Her remarks resonate amid heightened tensions in the city. Social media praises her courage and advocacy. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads At the 2025 BET Awards, rapper Doechii made headlines not only for winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist but also for using her acceptance speech to address the ongoing protests and immigration raids in Los Angeles, as well as the Trump administration's ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater in downtown LA, unfolded just as large-scale demonstrations erupted outside in response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the deployment of military forces to the thanking BET and acknowledging her fellow nominees, Doechii shifted focus to the events happening outside the awards venue. She told the audience, 'There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order. Trump is using military forces to stop a protest. And I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?'Her remarks drew applause and underscored the tense atmosphere in Los Angeles, where California National Guard units had been deployed over the weekend to respond to the protests and ICE emphasized her sense of responsibility as an artist to use her platform for advocacy. She expressed solidarity with marginalized groups, stating, 'I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people: for Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza. We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear, and I hope we stand together, my brothers and my sisters, against hate and protest against it'.Her speech came amid heightened tensions in Los Angeles, where protests broke out following ICE raids that resulted in dozens of arrests. President Trump's decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to the city was met with criticism from activists and artists alike, with Doechii's comments echoing broader concerns about the use of military force against remarks were widely praised on social media and by fellow artists for their courage and timeliness. Many viewers and commentators commended her for using her moment in the spotlight to draw attention to pressing social issues and to advocate for unity and resistance against hate and oppression.

Doechii uses BET awards victory to spotlight LA protests and criticize Trump administration
Doechii uses BET awards victory to spotlight LA protests and criticize Trump administration

Time of India

time2 hours ago

  • Time of India

Doechii uses BET awards victory to spotlight LA protests and criticize Trump administration

At the 2025 BET Awards, rapper Doechii made headlines not only for winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist but also for using her acceptance speech to address the ongoing protests and immigration raids in Los Angeles, as well as the Trump administration's response. The ceremony, held at the Peacock Theater in downtown LA, unfolded just as large-scale demonstrations erupted outside in response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and the deployment of military forces to the city. After thanking BET and acknowledging her fellow nominees, Doechii shifted focus to the events happening outside the awards venue. She told the audience, 'There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order. Trump is using military forces to stop a protest. And I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us. What type of government is that?' Her remarks drew applause and underscored the tense atmosphere in Los Angeles, where California National Guard units had been deployed over the weekend to respond to the protests and ICE raids. Doechii emphasized her sense of responsibility as an artist to use her platform for advocacy. She expressed solidarity with marginalized groups, stating, 'I feel it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people: for Black people, for Latino people, for trans people, for the people in Gaza. We all deserve to live in hope and not in fear, and I hope we stand together, my brothers and my sisters, against hate and protest against it'. Live Events Her speech came amid heightened tensions in Los Angeles, where protests broke out following ICE raids that resulted in dozens of arrests. President Trump's decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to the city was met with criticism from activists and artists alike, with Doechii's comments echoing broader concerns about the use of military force against demonstrators. Doechii's remarks were widely praised on social media and by fellow artists for their courage and timeliness. Many viewers and commentators commended her for using her moment in the spotlight to draw attention to pressing social issues and to advocate for unity and resistance against hate and oppression.

Meet Bimal Parekh, the smart CA who manages the finances of Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif
Meet Bimal Parekh, the smart CA who manages the finances of Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif

First Post

time17 hours ago

  • First Post

Meet Bimal Parekh, the smart CA who manages the finances of Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif

In the initial phase of his career during the 1980s, he handled clients like Zeenat Aman and filmmaker BR Chopra. read more The biggest names in the Bollywood industry are often known to their fans for their box office power and net worth. However, there is one wizard, who has been not only giving tax-saving tips but also building their businesses and co-owns football teams. This person is Bimal Prakash, who is associated with stars like Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Juhi Chawla, Farhan Akhtar, Shah Rukh Khan and others. In the initial phase of his career during the 1980s, he handled clients like Zeenat Aman and filmmaker BR Chopra. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'In the mid '80s, I started working with a chartered accountancy rm that was handling the works of a few Bollywood individuals, including Zeenat Aman, B.R. Chopra and Nasir Hussain's family. After four years, I wanted to start on my own. My boss tried to stop me, but I felt the need to branch out. When I was leaving, he gave me two clients as parting gifts — Zeenat Aman, whose work I used to handle, and second was a young actor, who was yet to debut: Aamir Khan!' Bimal Parekh told The Hollywood Reporter. 'He recommended my name to Juhi, who then came on board. Slowly, more names started to come in. Initially, we were doing only income tax audit work; I started financial advisory work much later,' he added. Explaining how he set up production houses of Shah Rukh Khan and Farhan Akhtar, he said, 'When Ritesh and Farhan went to narrate Aamir Dil Chahta Hai (2001), they also expressed their desire to make the lm as producers. I helped them with financial guidance for Excel Entertainment. Then when Lagaan (2001) was released, Ashutosh Gowariker wanted to start his own [production house] so he also came on board. Later, Bhansali reached out through a common friend, and he came on board after Black (2005). When Juhi Chawla, Shah Rukh Khan and Aziz Mirza started their company Dreamz Unlimited, I was appointed as the auditor and set up that as well. At one point, I was signing balance sheets with both Aamir and Shah Rukh because of their respective production houses!' He also revealed which actor is sharp with money and shared, 'Katrina Kaif is the sharpest. She takes an interest. Aamir and Ranbir are not that bothered! [Laughs.] Then Ritesh Sidhwani and Krishna DK (of Raj-DK director duo) are sharp as well, they understand money.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store