Cardiac specialist Dr. Saira Sabharwal is thrilled to join Manthan, the multi-specialty hospital founded and headed by one of India's ace neurosurgeons, Dr. Gauri Nath, whom she holds in the highest regard. Even as the two become close friends, a series of events starting with a drug trial gone wrong will not only impact them hard, and thwart their ambitions, but also affect those around them as well.
The opening scene, in the laboratory of Vayu Pharma in Bhopal, where a drug is being tested on rats, sets the tone for the series that looks into hurried drug trials on unsuspecting poor and naive people, the ruthless ways of big hospitals, pharma companies and their politics, and more.
While medical thrillers in the West aren't uncommon, they are rare in India. And that's where show creators Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Mozez Singh (who has also written and directed it) deserve kudos for taking the road seldom traveled here. The screenplay delves behind the scenes of how medicines are first tested on lab rats and after reasonably good results are tried on humans in a few phases, before they're ascertained safe for use and released into the market. The show also shows the scars of Bhopal Gas Tragedy continue haunt the people, even after 37 years since the deadly chemical (gas) leak at Union Carbide.
What makes this show engrossing are the many parallel plots and subplots that keep you hooked, lest you miss something. At the same time, the show also looks at the politics within the board of directors of a hugely renowned hospital, how poor gullible folk is lured by quick bucks to submit to a drug trial without being explained the details and what side-effects they may have to face. If that's not enough, most of the characters have shades of grey and are also simultaneously grappling with different crises in their personal space. Moreover, there's also the open marriage and lesbianism angles which, after a point, makes you feel that there's too much happening in this show, taking away from the core idea. And that's when the narrative seems to lag a bit and you wish the show's makers had kept the length in check.
Shefali Shah once again displays her mettle as an actress and portrays the many facets of Dr. Gauri Nath with conviction. Whether she's the calm and composed head of her hospital or vulnerable with her old confidante Roma Ma (aptly enacted by Seema Biswas), she lends a certain gravitas to her character. Kirti Kulhari proves her potential as Dr. Saira Sabharwal, who decides to follow the path of righteousness in the face of fierce opposition, on both, work and personal fronts.
Ram Kapoor is effective as Gauri Nath's husband Pratap Munjal, who manages her business affairs in the boardroom and with the politicians. Aditya Shrivastav does a good job of playing Ashok Vaidya, the head of Vayu Pharma, who needs to get a reliable drug for heart patients in the market lest his firm collapse under the weight of recent debacles.
Vishal Jethwa (of Mardaani fame) showcases his talent as the poor Mangu who sources gullible people to undergo testing for heart medicine to make some quick bucks since he's tired of working at the morgue. The supporting cast plays their parts as expected.
Shriram Kanna Iyengar and Sujeet Subhash Sawant's production design is realistic. Cinematographer Sirsha Ray has aptly shot the show, in the interiors and real locations of Bhopal.
To sum up, Human is an interesting series with a novel subject and unpredictable narrative that is sure to make you binge-watch it. At the same time, with barely a few light moments, it's also very intense and can get morbid at times. While it makes a compelling watch, the faint-hearted may brave it and take it slow.
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