Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan | 4 Min Read
The second season of Paatal Lok lacks the gritty, immersive atmosphere that made its predecessor so compelling. It misses the haunting presence of characters like Hathoda Tyagi and takes time to draw you in. Unlike the first season, which gripped you from the start, this one unfolds more slowly. But once it finds its footing, it drags you deep into its netherworld and holds you there until the very end.
In this season, when Hathi Ram and Ansari first arrive in Nagaland, it feels as if they’ve carried a piece of Delhi into unfamiliar terrain. They adapt too easily, moving through this alien landscape—its politics, language, and culture—with an almost unnatural confidence. It feels off.
Adding to the dissonance is the sheer number of characters who come and go without leaving much impact, making the narrative feel cluttered and confusing. But what struck me most was how sanitized everything felt. For a neo-noir crime thriller in the vein of Delhi Crime, the raw, shadowy, and saturated visuals that defined the first season are noticeably absent. Perhaps this was a deliberate choice by the makers, but for me, it dulled the show’s edge.
That said, Paatal Lok 2 has its strengths. Setting the story in Nagaland is a bold choice, and even braver is the decision to cast several actors from the North-East—some non-actors—and let them speak in Nagamese. This adds a layer of authenticity rarely seen in mainstream narratives.
The writing also captures the region’s simmering socio-political tensions, the aspirations of its people, and the web of deceit they’ve been ensnared in for generations. In staying true to these themes, the show preserves the essence of its first season, maintaining a sense of continuity
The narrative takes a crucial turn at the end of episode four. From there, the story gathers momentum, unraveling with precision and leading to a satisfying finale that leaves the audience with a sense of closure.
The writing in the final four episodes is particularly strong—balanced, clever, and well-paced. With multiple loose ends to resolve, the screenplay ensures that every thread is tied up seamlessly, without anything feeling forced or unnecessary.
The show’s greatest strength remains its protagonist. This time, Hathi Ram Chaudhary is largely on his own, commanding maximum screen time, with a stellar Tillotama Shome in top form. But make no mistake—this is his show. The camera adores him, and Jaideep Ahlawat delivers a masterclass in acting, embodying Hathi Ram with absolute conviction.
Every detail—the weary eyes, the slight paunch, the limp, the accent—paints a portrait of a man burdened by ambition yet unwilling to compromise his integrity. He is street-smart but principled, flawed yet self-aware. One of the finest characters to emerge from the Indian OTT space, Hathi Ram feels even more layered this time around, and Jaideep surpasses his own benchmark from the first season with remarkable nuance and skill.
Verdict:
Paatal Lok 2 is a worthy successor to its predecessor. It takes time to find its footing, but once it does, it delivers a layered, immersive crime thriller that rewards patient viewers. At its heart is Jaideep Ahlawat, in peak form as Hathi Ram Chaudhary, delivering one of the finest performances in recent times.
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
My Rating: 3.5/5
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About the author –
Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories’. An enthusiastic blogger he shares his articles, essays, travelogues, book and movie reviews on his blog (www.whatsonsidsmind.com).
