In "Dayaa," JD Chekravarthy assumes the role of a character whose name, much like his gangster persona in the film "Satya" (1998), misleads.
Dayaa serves as a van driver, tasked with transporting frozen fish. On a fateful day, he stumbles upon a life-altering discovery - a lifeless body concealed amidst the fish, impacting both his and his pregnant wife Alivelu's existence.
The deceased individual is Kavitha Naidu, an intrepid journalist renowned for her audacious confrontations with the corrupt politician Pritam.
Pritam had enlisted the services of a mute and formidable enforcer named Kabir to target Kavitha in response to her relentless exposures.
Assisted by his friend Prabha, Dayaa embarks on a desperate quest to discreetly dispose of the body, evading any entanglements with the authorities. Their actions intertwine their destinies with other characters, among them Kavitha's resolute colleague, Shabana, and an unwavering police officer.
The show represents an adaptation of the Bangladeshi series "Taqdeer," available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Director Pavan Sadineni has adeptly converted the original morally driven narrative into an exhilarating and suspenseful tale, taking place in a realistic backdrop.
Each episode is intentionally designed to be easily consumed, boasting an average duration of approximately 30 minutes.
However, the problem in the series is the logic itself. The investigation process appears inconsistent. It's puzzling why they would include a scene where the journalist goes all the way to confront Prithvi with evidence of the rape and question him.
A real journalist would simply broadcast the evidence in the media without approaching the culprit directly. Predictably, the antagonist attacks the journalist, reminiscent of old movies. The series is filled with outdated elements like these, making it less appealing.
Despite some room for improvement in terms of pacing, the show effectively sustains audience engagement through unforeseen twists and well-crafted character development.
JD Chekravarthy's portrayal of the enigmatic driver further heightens the sense of intrigue, complemented by the remarkable performances of other cast members like Josh Ravi, Vishnupriyaa Bhimeneni, and Nandagopal.
"Dayaa" offers a captivating and thrilling experience, replete with an abundance of surprises, rendering it a commendable watch despite certain concerns pertaining to pacing and logic.
Streaming On: Disney+ HotStar
