CHEMISTRY MASHI SEASON 1: Director Sourav Chakraborty (Rajneeti, Shobdo Jobdo) chose to tell a story with Chemistry Mashi that has a lot more depth even though it is reminiscent of stories with a similar angle (Fatafati, Kota Factory, Secret Superstar). This tale features Sucharita, a housewife-turned-vlogger who is detained for allegedly leaking the exam’s chemistry paper. The characters surrounding her are introduced, starting with her husband Sushobhan, daughter Pulu, son, and daughter-in-law, and we see snippets of her past and how she launched her channel when she is questioned by the authorities. After feeling humiliated by her husband, Sucharita decides to start a vlog because she wants to share her knowledge of chemistry with everyone in an approachable way.
But as she grows more well-liked among students, she attracts more attention. The story starts to get interesting at this point. In order to keep the story interesting from the beginning, the director also makes sure that the pace is maintained.
Chemistry Mashi succeeds in part because it consistently develops characters in addition to the main actor. This could have easily been a narrative about the struggles of content creators, but that aspect of the story only serves to set the stage for the drama and leaves the viewer wanting more. As the story develops, more connections are found, which causes ongoing conflict amongst the characters.
Debasree Roy makes a fantastic Sucharita. It’s amazing to see how she overcomes her initial shyness and grows into a confident but anxious woman. As Sucharita’s daughter Pulu, Ritwika Pal portrays a crucial role that contributes significantly to the drama’s tension and flow. As Sucharita’s bureaucrat husband, Shankar Chakraborty is a terrific addition. He initially comes across as a toxic masculine character, but as the series goes on, it becomes clear where he’s coming from.
The Sourav has produced a well-made series with a very intriguing ending that leaves room for a sequel, thanks to strong editing, excellent camera work, and a compelling plotline that jumps between the past and present. For all this, Chemistry Mashi is a worthwhile watch.
watch the Chemistry Mashi Season 1 web series
