My quick descent into the Paatal Lok (Underworld)

No dignity in death and the other thoughts I had while watching Paatal Lok Season 2 like Why Hathi Ram Chaudhary is one of the best cop/detective ever

First of all, my attempt to make a joke.

Watching the whole second season of Paatal Lok in one day.

Paatal Lok is a crime thriller show that follows Hathi Ram Chaudhary, a disgruntled cop who finally gets a high-profile case in his decades long career. What follows is a web of violence, quality work and subtle but hard-hitting comments on the present society set metaphorically in the three realms, heaven, earth and hell.

And while Hathi Ram thinks he is the permanent resident of Underworld. We soon see that darkness has spread to every single corner.

It is definitely one of the best shows I have watched in a while. And one I would recommend you too. It is available on Amazon Prime Video. I even watched the first season again. But, here are some thoughts that ran through my head while watching the second season of the show and fangirling over one of the best written characters I have ever come across.

No dignity in death

While the show deals with murder investigations, it does not shy away from showing the gritty details to present a haunting version. However, what struck me during a particular death sequence was how quickly a person becomes a body to be dealt with. The practicality around it that does not let the closed ones grieve was shown in the realistic manner. Yet, Hathi Ram finds the moment to connect and empathize with other people.

How I imagine myself bursting into your inbox to make you fall in love with Hathi Ram Chaudhary.

Hathi Ram is not your usual eccentric detective

The only similarity I could find was the persistence to go above and beyond to solve the case. Yet, while the detectives are showered with praise, even if they are not comfortable with it, Hathi Ram barely gets the opportunity to prove his mettle, let alone get recognition for his work.

He is rough around the edges, curses a lot, and he is not even fit. In a scene he jumps from a tin roof, not much higher, and you would think the act heroic. But, he lies there groaning in pain till he has to get up and fight goons. He is knocked unconscious by a door during what could have been the biggest raid of his career *sigh*. But at least,

Hathi Ram has a heart, even though you sometimes doubt it

The way he put across his views on a homosexual relationship was *chef’s kiss*. He admits he doesn’t understand the concept, but respects the agency of other people and what more could you want.

Yet, he is also the one who gave into the pressures of system, even when it hurt the other person for life. He does not care about people’s opinion of him, is honest to fault. Sometimes, you think, a little greed is fine. And then you judge yourself like me.

But, enough about him. There are also other things in the show

Am I forcing you like this to read my rant?

Longing for home

There is a character of Kaaliya stuck in another city away from home. While he seems jovial and street smart, when the cracks appear in the exterior, you see a desperate man. At one point, he confesses how it is not the money he craves but the freedom to go back home, putting into perspective the web he is stuck in because of the system’s failure.

Butterfly effect and interconnectedness

One murder leading to more, numerous suspects and hundreds of lives impacted summarizes the show. And you wonder about that one thread in the whole scenario which might have stopped the loss of so many lives. Could it even be averted? How could a situation unfolding hundreds of miles away impact an unassuming common man trying to do his job.

Let me know who your favorite detective is

---

This article will go behind the paywall after a month. I will be experimenting with different types of paid post for a while to get it going. If you like the work here, kindly consider becoming a

Till the next story, Namastey 🙏🏻