SonyLIV’s Black, White & Gray features a talented ensemble cast full of potential. Mayur More, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Palak Jaiswal, Deven Bhojani, Anant Jog, and Kamlesh Sawant headline this suspenseful series. Directed by Pushkar Sunil Mahabal, the series presents an engaging and relevant premise; however, its execution is overly slow and unnecessarily prolonged, draining its energy.
Story
The pseudo-documentary centers on journalist Daniel Gray, who investigates the shocking murder of an influential woman. The prime suspect, her boyfriend from a lower economic background, leads to heightened tensions. Gray interviews him and several others involved in the case. Is the suspect truly guilty, or is there more beneath the surface?
Black, White & Gray begins strongly, with the documentary style complementing the bleak and somber tone of the story. At times, the series evokes the urgency and suspense found in acclaimed Bollywood thrillers like NH10, Talaash, and Andhadhun.
Performances
Mayur More carries the series, portraying a range of emotions from start to finish. He excels as a young man marginalized by society, overwhelmed by life’s hardships, media scrutiny, and systemic corruption. His character’s development throughout the series is compelling and elevates the overall narrative.
Additionally, Tigmanshu Dhulia delivers a brief yet impactful performance, showcasing his versatility.
The focus remains mainly on Jaiswal and More, leaving seasoned actors like Jog, Bhojani, and Sawant with limited opportunities to showcase their talent. Moreover, the inclusion of unnecessary supporting characters only prolongs the story and detracts from its impact.
Though While Black, White & Gray boasts a talented cast, it doesn’t fully utilize their abilities.
Behind the scenes
Employing such a convincing documentary approach, the series almost makes viewers forget its fictional nature. Its realism is deeply felt; the cinematography is restrained yet impactful, casting a cold, metallic gloss over every frame. It never pleases the eye; instead, it disturbs the viewer. There are no warm tones, no comforting compositions—only a stark, unwavering realism that lingers long after a sequence concludes. The visual language is marked by stillness, moments of pause, and the potent sound of silence stretching like an exposed wound. The show’s distinctively punk undercurrent—raw, rebellious, and persistent—stems directly from this precision in its filming and overall tone.
The Black, White & Gray series struggles with pacing, making it difficult to stay engaged throughout. The six episodes could have been tightly edited; instead, the story often feels confusing, disorganized, and overly stretched. Jarring tonal shifts occur frequently, and unwelcome romantic scenes disrupt the flow, undermining the tension.
Final Analysis
The director Pushkar Sunil Mahabal could have made it more engrossing with slick execution without going off the mark. The portrayal of media trials is a significant aspect of the series. Initially, it feels authentic, but it quickly becomes exaggerated and cartoonish. The series falls into the trap of parody, reminiscent of the over-the-top depictions of media personalities like Arnab Goswami. There are certainly more inventive and nuanced ways to depict the media’s role in such stories.
Black, White & Gray gradually reveals the complexities of its characters, prompting viewers to consider: everyone has their own version of the truth. Its social commentary—touching on honor killings, female “purity,” and the class divide—is powerful and relevant. However, the series is marred by predictability and an excessive tendency to drag out its narrative. You may opt for this if you have an eye for mockumentary kind of thrillers, for a change.
