In the OTT world, the mention of the Bobby Deol-starrer 'Ashram' series immediately brings to mind its masterful portrayal of the fine line between devotion and blind faith. All three seasons have garnered immense popularity, and now, the second part of 'Ashram 3' has been released. The question is, does this installment offer anything new to Baba Nirala's character? Let's delve into a complete review of this new chapter in the web series.
A New Twist in the Tale – Rebellion Ignites in Baba's Fortress
The second part of 'Ashram 3' continues from where the first left off. Pammi (Aditi Pohankar) has initiated a legal battle against the abuse she suffered, but Baba Nirala, declaring himself incapacitated, is acquitted and falsely implicates Pammi, sending her to jail.
Pammi's approach to revenge changes. Instead of directly confronting Baba, she targets his most powerful weapon – Bhopa Swami (Chandran Roy Sanyal) – ensnaring him in her web. Their intimacy grows, culminating in a major twist when Baba Nirala himself catches them in a compromising situation. This sets off a chain of events leading to Baba's downfall.
Bhopa-Pammi's Plan and Baba's Destruction
Baba himself digs his own grave by ordering Bhopa's 'purification'. Following this event, Pammi and Bhopa conspire against him. Meanwhile, Sub-Inspector Ujagir Singh (Darshan Kumar) uncovers crucial information about Baba Nirala's past.
Ujagir Singh encounters an elderly sadhu who reveals that Baba Nirala was actually Monty, an ordinary man who, in collaboration with Bhopa, murdered the original Mansukh Baba and usurped his position. This revelation introduces a new turn in the narrative, where Pammi and Bhopa meticulously orchestrate Baba's downfall.
Direction and Acting – Whose Magic Worked, and Who Fell Short?
Director Prakash Jha delivers another commendable performance. However, some scenes feel unnecessarily stretched, particularly those involving Bhopa and Pammi. Conciseness in these scenes would have made the narrative more impactful. Bobby Deol delivers a powerful performance as Baba Nirala. His expressions and dialogues captivate the audience.
Pammi's character is ber this time, and Aditi Pohankar shines in her portrayal. Chandan Roy Sanyal, as Bhopa Swami, also delivers a more prominent and impressive performance. Darshan Kumar, as Ujagir Singh, equally justifies his role.
Should You Watch the Second Part of 'Ashram 3'?
If you're a fan of the 'Ashram' series and appreciate its profound and engaging storyline, you'll likely enjoy this new installment. While some parts might feel slightly drawn out, the narrative maintains its intrigue until the end. Overall, the series successfully showcases the complexities of deceit, blind faith, and politics. We rate it 3 out of 5 stars. You can watch it on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video.
