Srikanth Mohan’s direction offers an insightful look at the chatter and bureaucracy at the taluk office

Title: Jai Mahendran

Director: Srikanth Mohan

Form: Saiju Kurup, Suhasini Maniratnam, Miya, Rahul Riji Nair

Where: Steaming on Sony LIV

Judgement: 3.5 stars

In the world of television, where everything from the mafia to moon landings has been explored, it takes a certain daring to base a show on the workings of a taluk office. Yet this series ventures into that seemingly mundane arena and, to its credit, draws you into the labyrinthine paths of the bureaucratic system. The six-episode series thrives on wry humor and slow aggression, offering an insider’s look into a government office. The result? A strange mix of nostalgia and absurdity.

At the helm of this bureaucratic maze is Mahendran G, portrayed with sly finesse by Saiju Kurup. Mahendran, a deputy tahsildar, has managed to bend the system to his will and uses his cunning and connections to get things done. However, the series throws him a curveball when the system he manipulates puts him on the dock. It’s the age-old game of power and control, but within the damp confines of a tax office, where even the most trivial task can become a tale of paperwork, signatures and bribes.

The show has a distinctly old-world charm, reminiscent of 80s and 90s cinema, where the characters were grounded in realism and the stories unfold at their own sweet pace. The series doesn’t rush to get its point across, nor does the bureaucracy it portrays. The story moves at a leisurely pace, giving you plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere, observe the office’s quirky staff, and enjoy the subtle digs at the system’s inefficiencies. Prasanth Raveendran’s cinematography complements this pace, accurately capturing the banality and sometimes absurdity of life in government offices.

While stories about government offices are not new, this series stands out for its character dynamics. Saiju Kurup’s Mahendran is wonderfully conniving, always ahead of everyone else, until the system turns against him. His transformation from a man in control to someone struggling with a system gone rogue is deftly depicted, though not exactly groundbreaking. Rahul Riji Nair as Balagopal, the ever-loyal but clever sycophant, complements him perfectly, showing keen opportunism beneath his dutiful exterior.

Suhasini Maniratnam, however, delivers a more muted performance as Shobha, Mahendran’s boss. Her character, while intended to project authority and internal conflict, often comes across as somber and somewhat withdrawn. The rest of the cast shine in their moments, especially when the series allows them to step into the shoes of everyday office workers and those who visit the tax office with their endless problems.

What really works for this series is its commitment to realism, despite the occasional overly theatrical or dramatic confrontations. The series is peppered with dry humor and moments of subtle satire. It offers a critique of the system without being preachy, making you chuckle at the absurdity of it all. But this commitment to realism can also be its downfall. The slow pace may feel like a slog for viewers expecting more action or dramatic tension.

Ultimately, it is purely perfunctory to see Mahendran once again cleverly manipulate the system and turn the game in his favor.