'Khalbali Records' web-series review: Ram Kapoor and Saloni Batra leave a lasting impression in this show about music and madness

Cast: Saloni Batra, Saloni Khanna, Ram Kapoor, Skand Sanjeev Thakur, Kumar Varun

Director: Devanshu Singh

Language: Hindi

If you see the poster of JioCinema’s new show Khalbali Records, it has the faces of four principal characters on a music CD with cracks. It doesn’t take a genius to predict that the CD that’s almost shattered to smithereens is metaphorically suggesting the conflicts between these four people. It’s a show about music, madness, passion, politics, and everything else in between. It swings between rage and restraint.

Ram Kapoor and Saloni Batra leave the best impression. Batra, in particular, holds a commanding presence without resorting to theatrics when many other succumb to. She did exactly that with last year’s blockbuster Animal. She does that here too. And Kapoor seems to have discovered a new, refined energy for himself. After Thappad, here’s another role that combines pragmatism and villainy.

Visually, the show throws all possible colours and frames that represent chaos and euphoria. And we also peep into the silent world behind the world of music. This is Rock On! but on steroids. In an interview recently, Article 370 actor Skand Thakur spoke about this aspect of the show and said, “One of the few reasons was because, when I was briefed up about the show, I knew what a big part music was going to play in this show. I think at the end of the day, for me, at least, music is the central character, at least me.”

The actor added, “Everything revolves around music. So that was one of the biggest reasons I thought I would want to be a part of it because that’s how special music is for me personally as well. And I think it’s for everyone to escape, who doesn’t enjoy music.”

But it also succumbs to clichés, that never give up spirit is now beginning to reek of farce and the heightened sense of ‘performance’ is more miss than hit. It’s okay to go bonkers, sometimes holding your horses is the better option. No need to feel Khalbali all the time!

Rating: 2.5 (out of 5 stars)

Khalbali Records is now streaming on JioCinema