#Review : RadhaKrishn redefines Love!

Siddharth Kumar Tewary's latest offering RadhaKrishn, goes the old school way and presents the iconic tale of Radha and Krishna. The Sumedh Mudgalkar and Mallika Singh starrer is all about redefining love that has been missing from our lives.

We watched the first six episodes of the show and here's what we thought of it-

RadhaKrishn starts with a narrator introducing the back story of Radha (Shivya Pathania) and Krishna (Himanshu Soni) living in Golok(heaven) before they took birth on Earth. The episode commences with Narad and Krishna's Bhakt Shridhaman reaching Golok. Shridhaman comes to visit Krishna to give a message that Lord Vishnu had given him for Krishna. While Shridhaman is all ecstatic to be meeting Lord Krishna, on arrival, he sees Krishna dancing with Radha and Gopis which makes him upset. The eternal love that Radha and Krishna share, can be seen from the first episode itself; be it Krishna dancing with Radha or Radha dressing up Krishna or Radha having the first morsel of the Bhog just to ensure that the Bhog was perfect for Krishna.

Of course, Shridhaman does not like Krishna's closeness with Radha. He feels as if Radha's love for Krishna has overpowered his devotion. So, to prove that Radha is not the correct match for Krishna, he goes on to humiliate Radha and also curses Radha that she will have to live in PrithviLok for 100 years forgetting Krishna and her love for him.

Cut to- Radha takes birth to parents Brishman and Kirtida in a very prosperous family. Krishna takes birth to parents Vasudev and Devki in the prison. While Devki and Vasudev are stressed on how they can save their 8th child from evil Kans, a miracle happens in the form of the prison doors opening and guards falling asleep. Vasudev sneaks out of the prison with his child and Yamuna makes way for Vasudev to cross the river safely with baby Krishna and ends up exchanging his baby with his old friend Nand and wife Yashoda in Gokulgaav. 

Yashoda and Nand along with entire Gokul celebrate at the naming ceremony when the malicious Bodha enters the function and takes Krishna along with her to kill him, but Krishna with his super powers kills Bodha. Radha had promised Krishna in Golok that she would open her eyes and see the world around only when Krishna comes to meet her. With destiny playing its game, Krishna ends up reaching Barsana and as promised, Radha opens her eyes when Krishna and Radha come face to face.

Very soon within the first week of the show going on air, the leap is introduced. Infants Radha and Krishna are now grown up. Meanwhile, the evil Kans is introduced. The wicked Kans is seen trying hard to catch hold of the 8th child of Vasudev and Devki as the forecast suggests that Krishna will be the end of Kans. 

And finally, there comes a time when Radha and Krishna come face to face after sixteen years at a market. Things come to a pause, lights get dim, spot light is now on Radha, as Krishna starts walking towards her. 

RadhaKrishn can be called a first of its kind musical saga that Indian television has seen for quite some time now. Right from the opening episode of the show where the grown up Radha (Shivya Pathania) and Krishna were seen dancing together, to the scenes where Radha and Krishna were born respectively, and yes, not to forget the introduction scene of Kans and finally Radha and Krishna meeting after sixteen years at the market; every event in the show has an individual background score to it, giving a visual treat to the audience. The music of the show definitely gets a thumps up from our end.

The big palatial looking sets, be it the GoLok or the PrithvikLok, complete justice has been done in terms of setting. The precision that every frame has shown, is totally picturesque. The grandeur of the show is as equivalent to watching a period drama film.

Complete justice has been done in terms of the looks of both Radhas (Shivya Pathania and Mallika Singh), Krishna as well as the supporting cast. Krishna in his patent Dhoti and jewelry looks fantastic. But what topped up his look was his vibrant floral turban with a Mor Pankh and the flute. For Radha's look, she looked no less than a princess. But, at times, the floral jewelry went a little overboard which made her ensemble look cluttered instead.

Sumedh Mudgalkar's performance as Krishna is commendable. Being the lovable or impish Krishna, Sumedh has done a praiseworthy job. Shivya Pathania and Mallika Singh as Radha, respectively, have also done quite a laudable job. Another element we enjoyed are the dialogues, mainly the riddles and metaphors stressing on love.

In most of the mythological and historical shows that we have come across, CGI quality tends to decline steadily with time. We see a lot of slackness in terms of effects. Also, the manner in which the supernatural power/evil was shown on screen looks unrealistic. There is a scene where Bodhna transforms from a lady to a demon.

Another problem we can think of is in an attempt to make the show look larger than life. The usage of songs and dance in every possible scene, makes it a little chaotic.

RadhaKrishn has the potential to keep its audience intrigued with its story telling. Amidst all the modern love stories that we see on television these days, to have a classic love saga of Radha and Krishna can work well for the show.

We like how RadhaKrishn takes us to a whole new world with its grandeur. At times, poor CGI effects can take away from the praise.