The sequel to the 2020 Amazon Prime Original Unpaused, Unpaused Naya Safar follows the same direction of being an anthology. However, instead of a film, it is a five-episode series. Bringing together five acclaimed filmmakers, the series has an ensemble cast that includes Shreya Dhanwanthary, Priyanshu Painyuli, Saqib Saleem, Ashish Verma, Sam Mohan, Neena Kulkarni, Darshana Rajendran, Lakshvir Singh Saran, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Rasika Agashe, Purnanand Wandhekar, Sharvari Deshpande, Arjun Karche and Hanumant Bhandari. Each episode ranges from approximately 25 to 30 minutes long, making it perfect for a binge-watch.
– Amazon Prime Video’s Unpaused Naya Safar Review does not contain spoilers –
Unpaused Naya Safar: Exploring Different Ways the Pandemic Has Affected Us
The beautiful anthology series opens with the story titled The Couple, directed by Nupur Asthana (whom we know for Amazon Prime’s another big hit- Four More Shots Please!). It depicts the life of a couple overwhelmed by the consequence of the pandemic when one of them lose their job. Exploring the themes of living together, work from home culture, the society’s preference for men versus women and, above all, the power of love and partnership, the first episode is a soft yet impactful watch.
The second episode titled War Room is an intense tale directed by Ayappa KM. Taking us behind the phone lines, we witness the story of a COVID warrior who enlists calls for the availability of beds. A charging and relevant theme, the story takes a dark turn when our protagonist is confronted with the option of providing a bed to a person who has destroyed her life.
Teen Tigada is the third episode about three strangers coming together. As nicely as the episode is placed, the storytelling by director Ruchir Arun is so nuanced, it touches your heart. Stuck together at the brink of a lockdown, we see three very different people exchanging stories about their lives, getting into fights, walking away together and forming an uncanny bond of friendship. Spots on mental health, addiction, anger issues are also touched in this episode.
Still from ‘The Couple’
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Gond Ke Laddu directed by Shikha Makan marks the fourth episode in this anthology series. Showing us closely the life of an old mother making her first attempt in the online world to deliver a courier and, the delivery agent who is responsible for delivering the order- we find the sweet smell of love, trust and motherhood linking the two lives.
The last arrow in the quiver is titled Vaikunth directed by Nagraj Manjule, who is well known for his works that include films like Sairat and Pistulya. In this story, we get to see the life of a man who cremates dead bodies for a living during the COVID-19 pandemic and, is displaced from his shelter after his old father is taken away due to the COVID-19. Seeking shelter on the cremation ground with his son, this episode tugs at your hearts chords of worry and relief as you watch dead bodies being turned to ashes and those ashes being used to harvest healthy crops for the living.
Unpaused Naya Safar: Final Verdict
All the stories linked together with the common theme of pandemic and, how it has affected the lives of people forms the centre of this original series. Filled with varying aspects of friendship, love, hope and second chances, Unpaused Naya Safar celebrates the resilient human spirit in these uncertain times.
Still from ‘Vaikunth’
You can watch all the episodes of Unpaused Naya Safar now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
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