Soon after the trailer for Leila came out, controversy surrounded it. Twitterati spoke out, calling the show anti-Hindu, while some claimed that it simply reflected upon the times. One thing is sure, no matter what its objective, Leila is a brave show.
Leila is a show that depicts a dystopian world where people do not have clean water, clean air, and the government has merged with religion, running purity camps and ‘purifying’ those who deter from the established rules. The show forces you to think about your ideas of right and wrong, and presents a warning you can’t ignore.
When it comes to performances, Huma Qureshi excels. Her anger and fear, her vulnerability, her passions and her will to survive ... everything puts you in the present world, letting you connect with her.
Other supporting actors and brilliant direction from Deepa Mehta, Shanker Raman, and Pawan Kumar keeps you at the edge of your seat.
The makers have denied it, but the show does run parallel to the tension in the country today. Whether it is to be seen as art or simple fiction is left to the audience; however, what you can’t deny is that the show is brilliantly made. Need more reasons to watch the show? Watch the video and let us tell you!
Leila is streaming on Netflix.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)