Zee5’s first big budget series called ‘Zero Kms’ has it all. It’s the perfect mix of drama, thrills and a gripping storyline. Directed by Qaushiq Mukherjee (popularly know as Q), this web series is definitely worth a watch. Featuring Naseeruddin Shah and Tanmay Dhanania in key roles, ‘Zero Kms’ has 12 20-minute long episodes that tackle the hard-hitting issue of human trafficking.
What makes this series more special is the digital debut of immensely talented actor, Naseeruddin Shah.
“Justice is a Long Road”
Set in Goa, ‘Zero Kms’ is the journey of a man named Arjun (Tanmay Dhanania), who fights to get justice for his brother’s murder and in the process busts a human trafficking racket.
The show begins with Arjun’s time in jail, where he is being trained by the rather mysterious Guru (Naseeruddin Shah). After getting released, Arjun lands in trouble again when his brother Shyam is killed, for which Arjun is the prime suspect.
The murder is linked to a human trafficking racket, from which Arjun also has to protect Shyam’s wife and daughter.
Binge Worthy?
Apart from a gripping storyline, the treatment of this thriller is brilliant and entertaining. With pacy jumps and a variety of unusual shots, Q has made sure audiences will be hooked on to ‘Zero Kms’ till the very end.
The director gets into the minds of his characters, especially Arjun, and takes the viewers back to his childhood days. These memories are the answers that finally unlock the mystery behind Shayam’s death. Through the help of these flashbacks, we also see a rather unconventional side to Q’s direction, which is a welcome change from his irreverent projects like Gandu and Braham Naman.
Each episode ends with a cliffhanger, increasing the urge to binge watch and as you proceed through the series, the mystery begins to unravel like a pack of cards.
Not only do the lead actors perform well, but even supporting actors such as Tara D’Souza, Satyadeep Misra, Vaibhavi Upadhyaya and Roshni Walis are at their best, making this show a must-watch series.
A Game Within a Game
Yes, you heard it right. The journey to find all the clues itself is hidden in the game of football. The clues left behind can be understood by Arjun alone, since they go back to his memories of football in school.
From explaining the scene of events to having clues related to football players and memories, it will sure be a delight for all football enthusiasts. For instance, the first clue is around Rene Higuita, a Columbian goal keeper, and his famous scorpion kick. Another clue is ‘hand of God’, Maradona’s memorable goal in the match Argentina Vs England.
Minor Glitches
There are a few things that could’ve been treated in a slightly different way. First, it would have been nice to see Naseeruddin Shah get more screen time. Even though he has a major role, his on-screen presence is less than even that of a minor character.
In terms of narrative, Arjun’s continuous voice-over gets jarring and could have been reduced. It gets quite distracting especially when there is already an on-going conversation between two characters.
The marketing team evidently hasn’t done a good job promoting this web series. Many people I know who are internet savvy and are into online shows, have not even heard about this series. Zee5 has a lot to learn from Amazon Prime, because the way Amazon promoted Breathe was absolutely brilliant.
Nonetheless, ‘Zero Kms’ is totally binge worthy!
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)