Second Season of ‘Bandish Bandits’ Offers Dynamic Narrative, Flawed Characters, Vibrant Musical Immersion
- While the absence of Naseeruddin Shah’s character was palpable, the cast’s collective brilliance ensured the series maintained its poignant appeal.
“Bandish Bandits” has become a cultural phenomenon among the Indian diaspora since its debut on Amazon Prime Video, with its soulful exploration of music as discipline, love, and liberation. The first season, released in 2020, introduced viewers to Radhe Rathod (Ritwik Bhowmik), a didactic Hindustani classical musician, and Tamanna Sharma (Shreya Chaudhary), a free-spirited pop sensation. Their worlds collided in a symphony of contrasts, exploring themes of tradition versus modernity, duty versus ambition, and love’s ability to bridge divides. Anchored by Naseeruddin Shah’s masterful portrayal of Pandit Radhemohan Rathod, the first season resonated deeply with audiences, blending compelling storytelling, evocative cinematography, memorable performances, and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy’s enchanting soundtrack.
A Melodic Sophomore Season
After a long wait, the much-anticipated second season premiered on Prime Video on Dec. 13, and has captivated audiences with a huge comeback. It feels as though the characters had never left us — that is Anand Tiwari’s magic. He leaves no stone unturned, from the captivating drone photography of the Jodhpur Fort, the folk music, the beautifully sourced colorful leheriyas, mothdas, and bandhani sarees, to the bangles on hands that move like birds to music. This season offers a dynamic narrative, layered and flawed characters seeking redemption, and a soul-embracing, vibrant musical immersion. The great classical music duet picturized on Sheeba Chaddha and Atul Kulkarni brought back memories of the unforgettable legends like Zakir Hussain and Pandit Ravi Shankar.
While the absence of Naseeruddin Shah’s character was palpable, the cast’s collective brilliance ensured the series maintained its poignant appeal. Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhary reprised their roles with vigor, navigating the evolving challenges of their artistic ambitions and personal journeys.
A standout feature of the second season is the inclusion of Arjun Rampal in a surprise cameo as Imroz Dehelvi, a poet whose quiet charisma and mature romantic storyline with Divya Dutta’s character Nandini evoke the timeless spirit of Amrita Pritam’s poetry and her own romantic relationship after years trapped in a loveless marriage. Their understated yet poignant chemistry, characterized by subtle exchanges and unspoken emotions, added a layer of depth and allure to the narrative.
Strengths of Season 2
- Evolving Themes: Season 2 delves deeper into the internal and external conflicts faced by Radhe and Tamanna. The exploration of ambition, legacy, and the sacrifices demanded by music as a demanding art form continues to strike a chord with audiences.
- Musical Excellence: The soundtrack, performed by a mix of returning and new real-life musicians, is both authentic and transformative, reflecting the show’s commitment to musical integrity and believability.
- Expanded Cast: The inclusion of fresh faces and secondary characters enriched the storytelling. Rohan Gurbuxani shines as Tamanna’s fellow student and love interest, while Ananya Qureshi applies her passion for numbers to music. The poetic arc of Imroz Dehelvi and Nandini introduces a mature, reflective counterpoint to the youthful love story of Radhe and Tamanna.
- Emotional Resonance: The narrative captures the universal longing for connection, whether through music, love, or familial bonds. I was delighted to see the backstory of Pandit Radhemohan Rathod as an orphan boy singing in a village temple in Rajasthan. His adoption by a strict music teacher and his journey as a married man, father, and great maestro added layers of complexity. While music brought him fame and benediction, it also brought him immense pain — a pain that became a family legacy.
A Personal Connection
As a fan of the series, having interviewed the cast and crew on the debut of the first season and someone inspired to take up classical music lessons after watching it, the return of “Bandish Bandits” felt like revisiting an old friend. The performances, especially by the lovely and talented Sheeba Chaddha, who is so adept in her role as a Rajasthani lady, stood out. Rajesh Tailang and Atul Kulkarni returned with compelling portrayals as competitors for Panditji’s legacy — and for Mohini’s heart. Mahi’s role as the lead of a band is a great disruptor of musical paradigms. Kunal Roy Kapur makes his mark as Radhe’s agent with his hilariously pragmatic advice: “Kuchh bhi ga, bhajan ga, twinkle twinkle ga, kuchh bhi ga.”
The stunning locations, the resonant notes, the competitions, and the jugalbandis kept me glued to the screen. The romantic arc between Nandini and Imroz stirred a longing for timeless poetry and meaningful connections, making me nostalgic for moments shared with my father, a fellow music aficionado. Watching the series during the holidays felt like a personal celebration of music and family — for those present with me and those who are omnipresent.
Conclusion
While the absence of Naseeruddin Shah’s magnetic presence was felt in every musical performance, the second season of “Bandish Bandits” stands tall as a rich, evocative continuation of the story. The musical complexity intertwined with simplicity ensures its place as a cherished addition to Indian streaming content. The captivating narrative, gorgeous vistas, and the music and haunting call of the peacock made me miss my mother, a daughter of Rajasthan and my childhood days spent there so deeply.
With one foot in Huntsville, Alabama, the other in her birth home India, and a heart steeped in humanity, writing is a contemplative practice for Monita Soni. She has published hundreds of poems, movie reviews, book critiques, and essays and contributed to combined literary works. Her two books are My Light Reflections and Flow through My Heart. You can hear her commentaries on Sundial Writers Corner WLRH 89.3FM.