Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein on Netflix is tale of love, power and deceit

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Netflix’s Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein is a pulpy thriller, says director Siddharth Sengupta. Photo: Publicis-Consultants Asia

A man caught between a woman who loves him and one who desires him: Vikrant, a romantic simpleton in Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, becomes an object of desire for Purva, who will go to any lengths to get him. As Purva’s efforts to make him hers begin to destroy all that he holds dear, the mild-mannered Vikrant finds a new side of him emerging. In order to escape Purva’s clutches and reclaim his life with his true love, Shikha, he goes down a dark path, only to regret it later. The show streams on Netflix January 14.

Sidharth Sengupta, a director, writer and producer known for creating popular television shows including Balika Vadhu and the ALT Balaji series Apharan, makes his Netflix debut with Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein.

“‘For she had eyes and chose me,’ said Othello in the William Shakespeare play. These simple lines perfectly represent Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, a genre-bending series that navigates a twisted love story and gender dynamics, set against the backdrop of crime and desire in the heartland,” reveals Sengupta.

He goes on, “The idea of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein was brewing for almost twenty years. Since television is conservative in India, both Anahata (the writer) and I had kept this story close to us, waiting for the opportune moment to tell it… and then Netflix happened.  It took a few drafts to get the best script possible and breathe life into it. My inspiration for the series comes from the pulpy thrillers in classic Indian cinema, spotlighting Vijay Anand and Salim-Javed, which I grew up admiring. I have always been a fan of their work and Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein, the title inspired by the iconic ‘90s hit song from Baazigar, which was a film of the same genre,  is my ode to all the pulpy thrillers of those times.”

The world of Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein showcases real characters, an interesting dialect, locations, cultural nuances and the overall visual treatment of the series. Adds Sengupta, “It’s been an absolute privilege to work with such amazing talent who have brought these layered characters to life, whether it’s the engaging story by Anahata Menon, the sharp and witty dialogue by Varun Badola or the high-octane performances from Tahir Raj Bhasin, Shweta Tripathi, Anchal Singh, Arunoday Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Brijendra Kala, Surya Sharma, Anant Joshi and the others.”

He explains, “All the characters have shades of gray, a reflection of real life, and the actors have done a brilliant job bringing them to life. I must make a special mention of the music by Shivam Sengupta and Anuj Danait, which brings in the desired flavor and soul to the series. It is truly humbling to know that viewers not only in India but also across the world can view our work and celebrate our storytelling.”