The Rathore family faces a new crisis when an anonymous book accuses the late Panditji of suppressing Mohini’s (Sheeba Chaddha) voice years ago, sparking a quest to restore their gharana’s dignity. Elsewhere, Tamanna (Shreya Chaudhry) embarks on a journey of self-discovery at a music school, and Radhe and Tamanna’s paths cross again in a music competition.
While Season 1 was a celebration of classical music and its rich traditions, Season 2 veers into melodrama and modern-day musical tropes that dilute its charm. The essence of Bandish Bandits — the soulful exploration of classical music — is largely lost in favour of stretched subplots, new love interests, and unnecessary complexities. The narrative shifts between Jodhpur and Kasol in the first few episodes, struggling to connect the two storylines meaningfully, leaving them difficult to watch.
The music, which should be the show’s heart, falls short of expectations. While the classical performances featuring Radhe, Mohini, and Digvijay (Atul Kulkarni) are spectacular, much of the rest feels uninspired. Tamanna’s college scenes, filled with music lessons and band practice, stretch on unnecessarily, making it feel like a different show entirely. Fans of the first season’s old-world charm of Jodhpur may find themselves disappointed by this shift.
Despite the faltering narrative, the performances remain a saving grace. Bhowmik is brilliant as Radhe, delivering a performance so authentic it’s hard to believe he isn’t a trained classical singer and is just lip-syncing. Chaudhry and Bhowmik’s chemistry is still spot on, and Chaddha shines in her expanded role as Mohini. Kulkarni’s portrayal of Digvijay is nuanced, capturing both his pain and anger with finesse. Divya Dutta as Tamanna’s music teacher is a standout, while Rajesh Tailang and Kunaal Roy Kapur also deliver strong performances. However, Saurabh Nayyar, stepping into Amit Mistry’s shoes, fails to make the same impact, leaving a noticeable gap.
The pace of the series is another drawback, with slow-moving episodes that
test the audience’s patience. While the story picks up midway, the damage done by the sluggish start and overly dramatic script is hard to undo. The show’s shift towards music competitions and high-stakes drama oftentimes feels like a grown-up version of a musical series like Dhoom Machaao Dhoom.
Season 2 ultimately feels like an attempt to capitalise on the popularity of the first season, but it loses the very soul that made Bandish Bandits special. The performances are top-notch, but the convoluted narrative makes it a disappointing follow-up.
Bandish Bandit Season 2 is streaming now on Prime Video
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