Aarya Sareen, husband Tej, and their kids Aru, Veer, and Adi lead a happy unproblematic life, far from controversy. That is until Tej is murdered by an unknown assailant at their doorstep. Aarya and the kids are left shattered by his untimely death, a day after they’d all planned to leave India for New Zealand for better prospects. Aarya’s trust in her own family and friends is further tested when she discovers that their family business is a front for a far more sinister and illegal affair—and even the ones closest to her are capable of pulling the wool over her eyes.
The screenplay of “Aarya” is easily one of the best aspects about it. The writers Sandeep Shrivastava and Anu Singh Choudhary create a web of intrigue as well as an atmosphere of dread; they paint unpredictable twists and turns and present a varied collection of vengeful and deceitful characters.
High on Emotions—and a Fitting Soundtrack Too
“Aarya” is also high on intense and emotional moments that will make viewers sympathetic towards the plight of its emotionally weary but relentless protagonist. She is keen on protecting her children from the gamut of antagonists in the series; these range from a drug kingpin, members of a rival Russian crime syndicate, to the husband of one of her closest friends; and she even puts her life on the line when a dangerous situation arises. The soundtrack of “Aarya”—which mostly comprises of old Bollywood classics—not only lends to the ambiance of the series, but also plays a key role in its writing. The lyrics of the songs often foretell laborious events that lie in wait for Aarya and her family.
The powerful performances by each and every cast member are also the selling point of this series. For me, the standout performances were from Sushmita Sen; she makes a comeback to acting with this series and effortlessly exudes elegance and a taste for revenge as Aarya. She proves she still has what it takes to bring power and finesse to her roles.
Vikas Kumar and Sushmita Sen in “Aarya.” Photo: Hotstar.
Good Performances, and a Set-up for a Second Season
Alongside her, Sikandar Kher—who delivers a nuanced performance as Aarya’s confidante/right-hand man Daulat also fares well. He dares Aarya to bare her claws when she is up against a fresh new threat. Additionally, Vikas Kumar as ACP Kumar is a good addition. He is constantly belittled for his unrelenting attitude (and is made the butt of homophobic jokes by his insensitive peers), but who is hellbent on making sense of the chaotic turn of events in this series, sometimes at the cost of his own sanity.
“Aarya,” with a recent nomination for an international Emmy and the promise of a second season, promises more mayhem to come. I couldn’t be more hyped after the phenomenal first season.
“Aarya” is available to stream via Disney+ Hotstar in India. We could not find any viewing options in the States or abroad.
