Shantaram Charlie Hunnam New Apple TV Web Series Season 1 Honest Review

Shantaram Season 1 Review 

Finally, Shantaram's first journey ended with mixed results. Personally, there are more things to like than to argue about. Top-notch production values ​​see a vivid revival in the Bombay of yesteryear. The presence of Charlie Hunnam in the charming lead role provides the acting prowess and adds emotion to the story.  

 Like a game of chess, the story unfolds to keep things constantly interesting. But more often than not, Shantaram's vows about Lin and his morals drag him down to mediocrity.

 Storyline 

 The story is based on the works of Gregory Roberts. It's a stretch to think that everything that happened to Lin actually happened in real life; of course, there are some creative liberties as well. Although it itself resists this label, there are arches to approach from above. The mixture of reality and fiction always has ample room for exposition. These experiential narratives do not necessarily have to be true to mean something. In the same category is Lynn Ford's raucous entry into the life and world of Bombay.

  One of the reasons the novel was hailed as a "gentle giant" by critics was its vivid portrayal of Bombay life. Old video footage of the city doesn't do justice to how rich it is in terms of culture and acceptance by outsiders. It was a seething potpourri of personalities and shades of human nature, all tied together by the generality of its well-established rules.

  Eric Warren Singer and Steve Lightfoot focus on this aspect of their story in the first part. With so much time on their hands, they don't take getting to know the city and its people lightly.

  We go to the heart of Bombay - the street dwellers, the ragged slums that are crowded with people, and the world of ruthless criminals organized like clockwork. Every detail in the resort will evoke nostalgic memories of growing up there or even dreaming of making your dreams come true. Although the place has now been updated with high skyline towers and modern infrastructure, its spirit remains intact. Lightfoot and Singer take this richness and develop it in their stories to great effect. 

Shantaram Universe 

 Shantaram's universe is defined by the nexus of crime, police and politicians, all of whom get their share of the pie. Classics like Ardh Satya and Shool have insights into how Shantaram went about this relationship. This is an undeniable truth of Bombay and Shantaram accepts it without reservation. Charlie Hunnam's hero Lin Sagar Wada is portrayed as a messiah to the people. But the creators are careful not to overdo it and make him an innocent person. Her portrayal falls into a gray area that people often ignore and take offense to.

    Criminals way above him in the food chain like Khaderbhai and Walidbhai dictate the pace of events. He is innocently drawn into their mess, but his bravery is admirable, albeit very whitewashed. Lin is morally very soft in some areas, which makes him a major point of contention. However, Shantaram offers an indelible scheme that erupts mid-season.

 

Series Length 

 One of the easiest criticisms is the length of the season. Almost no big-budget streaming original has come close to the double-digit mark in terms of episode count in recent times. Perhaps tightening up the narrative would have given Singer and Lightfoot some control over telling their story. The first half of the season lacks the necessary urgency and directness. The trade-off for character development and exposition is a little hurt by Shantaram's punches. As they landed in the sweet spot after episode 6, the momentum got a bit derailed.

The lack of excitement problem stems from the treatment of the plot. There is some confusion in how producers think about how to optimize the potential of their universe. This makes some scenes and interactions between characters feel very repetitive and unnecessary. Shubham Saraf is another standout with Hunnam in action. Other members of the ensemble aren't given the same attention in season 1 to be more than just supporting cast.  

Overall 

 Shantaram is a pleasant ride and will love the viewers who subscribe to the vanilla hero who can do no wrong. It has its highs and lows, but one thing that keeps you glued to the screen is Charlie Hunnam's charismatic central performance.