August 12, 2024: Gyaarah Gyaarah, now streaming on ZEE5, is a time-warping thriller adapted from the acclaimed Korean series Signal. Directed by Umesh Bist, the series attempts to blend crime, time travel, and suspense but ultimately delivers a tepid experience that falls short of its intriguing premise.
The story centers on Yug Arya (played by Raghav Juyal) and Vamika Rawat (Kritika Kamra), two police officers racing against time to solve a cold case before the statute of limitations closes it for good. The twist? Yug stumbles upon an old walkie-talkie that connects him with Shaurya Antwal (Dhairya Karwa), a cop from 2001, investigating the same case. This concept, while compelling on paper, struggles to maintain momentum across the eight-episode series.
The series kicks off with promise, as Yug and Shaurya’s cross-temporal collaboration breathes new life into the unsolved case of a little girl’s abduction and murder in Dehradun. The interplay between the past and present, the mysterious transmissions at 11:11 PM, and the race against time all create an atmosphere of suspense that should, in theory, keep viewers hooked. However, Gyaarah Gyaarah begins to falter as it progresses, with its narrative losing steam and failing to sustain the initial intrigue.
Bist, known for his work in Pagglait, seems to struggle with the tonal shifts required for a thriller of this nature. The series lacks the lived-in authenticity that made his previous work resonate with audiences. Instead, Gyaarah Gyaarah feels oddly detached, its settings and characters failing to leave a lasting impact. Despite the occasional use of parallel editing to quicken the pace, the narrative often sags under its own weight, unable to keep the viewer engaged.
Raghav Juyal and Dhairya Karwa both deliver decent performances, though Karwa’s portrayal of Shaurya, a hotheaded cop from the past, never fully connects emotionally with the audience. Juyal, who portrays the rookie yet insightful Yug, seems to struggle with the psychological depth his character demands. His declaration that “psychotic people are self-obsessed” feels out of place and oddly simplistic, undermining his role as a criminal profiler.
Kritika Kamra, as Vamika, shines in moments but is ultimately let down by a screenplay that prioritizes drama over depth. Her character’s arc, filled with grief and determination, could have been a powerful anchor for the series, but instead, it is undercut by the show’s tendency to sacrifice emotional resonance for quick plot advancements.
Signal Interrupted: Gyaarah Gyaarah Struggles to Find Its Frequency
The series’ central conceit—the miraculous connection between two police officers across time—should have been a thrilling exploration of fate, destiny, and justice. Unfortunately, Gyaarah Gyaarah stumbles, becoming just another thriller set in the hills with a hooded killer on the loose. Even the show’s title, inspired by the supposed miracle minute 11:11, fails to deliver the magical impact one might expect.
One of the few bright spots in Gyaarah Gyaarah is the late Nitish Pandey, who plays Balwant, a samosa-loving cop with a heart of gold. His performance is a reminder of his talent for bringing warmth and humanity to every role. The series serves as a poignant farewell to Pandey, whose presence will be deeply missed.
Gyaarah Gyaarah could have been a standout addition to the crime thriller genre, especially given its unique time-bending premise. Instead, it remains a middling attempt that neither thrills nor deeply engages. Watch it if you’re a fan of the genre, but don’t expect it to leave a lasting impression.