After reaching a pinnacle of entertainment and creativity in earlier seasons, the new episodes of the series struggle to maintain a similarly engaging narrative.
The second part of the third season of Ek Badnaam Aashram, a series that kept viewers hooked for two seasons, has been released. How does this part, featuring Bobby Deol as Nirala Baba, aka Monty, fare?
Created by Prakash Jha for MX Player, the series debuted during the COVID-19 lockdown in August 2020. It gained popularity for its focus on fraudulent spiritual gurus like Nirala Baba, who exploit people’s faith. There is no shortage of such conmen in society. Their lavish lifestyles, sexual escapades, political manoeuvres, and financial gains are well known. Aashram presented these realities in an entertaining yet engaging manner.
The five episodes of the second part of the third season continue from where Baba Nirala starts to be regarded as a God. Pammi Pahalwan (Aditi Pohankar) is devastated and jailed after Baba Nirala manages to prove in the court that he is ‘purified’ so he can’t engage in sexual intercourse with Pammi Pahalwan or any woman. Baba has conveniently bought a certificate of impotence as money is no obstacle for him. Pammi, for her unproved allegations on Baba’s character, is nabbed and jailed.
While all the doors are closed and Pammi now serving a sentence, is offered respite by none other than Baba himself. He, as Pammi’s mother dies, helps her get permission to go and join the last rites. Pammi, by that time, has resolved to checkmate Baba in his own game by playing her cards differently. She decides to ‘surrender’ to Nirala, so that she can get an opportunity to bring him to justice in her own way.
On the other hand, Baba’s influence now extends even more, not only over his followers but also over politicians, making him a de facto ruler of the state. In a world where Baba dictates when it is day and when it is night, how could Pammi possibly bring him down?
For Pammi to take Baba head-on, the only way to defeat him is by infiltrating his stronghold, gaining his trust and striking when the time is right. To execute her plan, Pammi apologises to Baba. Blinded by lust, Baba is desperate to be with Pammi. He gets her released from prison and brings her back to Nirala Dham.
Baba’s close friend and confidant, Bhopa Swami (Chandan Roy Sanyal), who sees through Baba’s filthy intentions, warns him sternly: “If you so much as go near her… she will burn down your entire aashram.”
But Pammi is back in the ashram, staying under house-arrest-like conditions. To further her plan, she first manipulates Bhopa Swami. Known for his discipline and restraint, Bhopa falls head over heels into Pammi’s trap. But Baba Nirala, lost in his own indulgence, does not remain ignorant for long, and…
The problem with the latest episodes of Aashram is that they feel directionless. After establishing Baba’s supremacy and taking Pammi’s story to a certain point, it seems the creators were unsure how to move forward. Sure, Pammi taking revenge and Baba facing the consequences of his actions is a natural and expected progression. But the execution is tedious, repetitive, and uninspired.
Despite the sexual scenes being well-integrated into the storyline, their length feels unnecessarily prolonged. Similarly, the unchecked freedom and actions of Bhopa Swami and Pammi within the aashram, with no one noticing, feels unrealistic. The subplot of Bhopa Swami’s ‘purification’ is an interesting twist, but once introduced, the story to an extent stagnates. However, it does solve the purpose of leading the narrative to its climax.
The narrative in all five episodes revolves around Nirala, Pammi, and Bhopa Swami, with supporting characters like inspector Ujagar Singh (Darshan Kumar) adding to the plot. To extend the series, the creators introduce unnecessary elements like Baba’s past, his guru’s tale, a subplot on how Nirala usurped his position, and a mock drill of a shooting incident in the aashram premises. Characters like Babita (Tridha Choudhury) and others are almost entirely sidelined.
Fans of Aashram might still watch the series because they were impressed by previous seasons, Bobby Deol, Aditi Pohankar, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and their restrained and effective performances. However, they may not find the same thrill as before. This time, even the monotonous chanting of, ‘Japnaam’ prayers feels overdone. It feels like the chanting is there without any apparent reason.
Writers Kuldeep Ruhil, Tejpal Singh Rawat, Avinash Kumar, and Madhvi Bhatt may have worked hard to bring the plot to a conclusion, but their efforts unfortunately fall flat.
Undoubtedly, Deol, Pohankar, Sanyal, and others have delivered solid performances once again. But that’s the only redeeming factor that keeps the audience reasonably engaged until the series concludes, subtly suggesting, “Stay tuned…”
If you expect the new season of Ek Badnaam Aashram to match the excitement of its previous seasons and episodes, you may be disappointed. Watch the new episodes only if you are genuinely curious to see how it all concludes. The climax indicates that there might not be another season. However, you never know…
