Predicted to be a story with strong political overtones, the upcoming web series Gorky-r Ma is about two people who tread the revolutionary path, though for different reasons and driven by separate ideologies. A story of values, morality, rebellion and crime, the series is expected to raise uncomfortable questions pertaining to the loss of ideals, morals and social responsibility in modern society.
The trailer of Gorky-r Ma suggests a gripping political and psychological thriller blended with an intense emotional drama. Its story revolves around a working-class widowed mother (Ananya Chatterjee) and her college-going son (Soham Basu Roy Chowdhury), who are caught up in a turbulent socio-political landscape. Though Gorky is uninterested in politics, his mother wishes him to be socially and politically conscious, as she herself was a revolutionary in her youth. The story appears to draw thematic inspiration from the classic Soviet novel Mother by Maxim Gorky, adapting its concept to fit modern times. Full of raw, unfiltered realities, unexpected twists and dangerous situations, the series promises to be a tense, fast-paced narrative and offer viewers an edge-of-the-seat experience.
Probably narrating the events of a single night, Gorky-r Ma tells the tale of two restless eras, connecting them through a social crisis that shows how human problems have essentially remained the same though their character may have changed over time. The intriguing title of the series, drawing attention to Gorky’s novel, in which the factory-worker mother supports her son Pavel’s choice of the path of revolution, indicates that a similar mother-child chemistry may feature in this series as well.
Ananya Chatterjee appears to deliver a sensitive and powerful portrayal of a woman who fiercely protects her beliefs and ideals, balancing her character’s vulnerability and resilience with awe-inspiring realism, emotion and intensity. Soham captures the conflict of his character with maturity, adding depth and drama to the story and effectively serving as an anchor to the story alongside the titular character. Besides the mother-son duo, the trailer also introduces two other characters — Manik (Saurav Das), a building promoter’s assistant, and his newly-married wife (Darshana Banik). Though Das’s role in the series is deeply complex and strategic to the plot, the couple inject a vibrant energy and optimism into this grim and sober tale of harsh social realities.
Although a thriller at its core, maternal love seems to be one of the main themes explored by the series, with the character of the mother serving as the moral compass as well as a nurturing force, shaping her son’s future. Political awakening and ideology is another theme that the series concerns itself with. Deeply influenced by his mother’s ideals, Gorky is forced to navigate the complex world of socio-political activism and revolt. The series mirrors the original novel’s exploration of awakening, rebellion and changing political awareness. By focusing on a family from society’s margins, the series also exposes the struggles and stark realities endured by the working class. Directed by Debaloy Bhattacharya, Gorky-r Ma will premiere on Friday on May 22.