Kafas

Uncover a gripping tale that delves into the complexities of wealth, power, and morality.

Meet Kafas, a thought-provoking series that follows the journey of a middle-class family as their lives take an unexpected turn when their son encounters a life-altering career opportunity. Brace yourself for an intense exploration of the human psyche as Kafas weaves a web of trauma that leaves us questioning our very own values.

At first glance, the promotional poster catches your attention with a single word, emblazoned as a hashtag, while individuals are depicted with their mouths bound for maximum impact. Yes, we’re talking about #Trouble. This intriguing campaign, accompanied by the catchphrase “Chup rehne ke paise liye hain” (Our silence has been bought), has been making waves on SonyLiv. However, rather than leaving us intrigued, it has managed to disrupt our viewing experience during every commercial break of The Ashes. Initially dismissed as another ill-conceived ad campaign, or perhaps a daring attempt at crafting a found-footage thriller, the truth lurking beneath the surface soon becomes apparent – Kafas is a misguided web series with a narrative that speaks volumes.

Allow us to introduce you to Kafas, the Hindi adaptation of the acclaimed British limited series, Dark Money. Over six captivating episodes, Kafas presents itself as a lengthy, cringe-worthy reenactment of a crime, akin to a prime-time news broadcast. You half-expect an exuberant anchor to burst onto the screen, breaking the fourth wall with a barrage of thought-provoking questions. Is the world of showbiz teeming with depraved and wealthy individuals? Can anyone find sanctuary in this malevolent industry? Have Indian parents lost their moral compass? And why, for heaven’s sake, does no one bother to mention the precise time when arranging to meet in the evening? The nation is yearning for answers.

In Kafas, we encounter a middle-class family caught in a web of silence. The parents of an abused child are coerced into signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and accepting a hefty sum of hush money from a predatory Bollywood superstar. Their silence, purchased with a steep price, weighs heavily on their conscience. Our story revolves around Sunny (portrayed by the talented Mikhail Gandhi), a 15-year-old aspiring actor whose first brush with fame comes with a haunting twist. During his initial film shoot with the renowned Vikram Bajaj (played by the captivating Vivan Bhatena), the innocent realm of “private rehearsals” transforms into a nightmare that taints Sunny’s big break. Not even his Harry Potter-esque spectacles can shield him from the lingering shadows of his past.

As the series unfolds, we witness the gradual disintegration of Sunny’s parents. Raghav (brought to life by the versatile Sharman Joshi), a humble cinema manager, and Seema (played by the talented Mona Singh), an ambitious hair stylist, grapple with the guilt of sacrificing their son’s dignity. Meanwhile, Sunny’s elder sister, Shreya (superbly portrayed by Tejasvi Singh Ahlawat), finds herself overlooked within this household of shame and secrets. Drawing parallels with The Fame Game (2022), Kafas delves into the dark underbelly of celebrity culture and the toxic grip of stage parents who sacrifice their children’s dreams on the altar of their own unfulfilled aspirations. It couldn’t be a more opportune moment to explore such themes, as the post-MeToo era casts a glaring spotlight on the complicity of society in perpetuating abuse within the corridors of power and privilege.

Prepare yourself for an emotionally charged journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Kafas fearlessly tackles pertinent societal issues while shedding light on the harrowing consequences of one family’s decisions. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride of emotions as Kafas challenges your perceptions of wealth, power, and the sacrifices we make in the pursuit of our dreams.

• Director Sahil Sangha
• Cast Akanksha Kadre, Araham Sawant, Ethan Manjani, Geetanjali Mishra, Jyoti Gauba, Mikail Gandhi, Mona Singh, Mona Wasu, Mukesh Chhabra, Preeti Jhangiani, Sharman Joshi, Tejasvi Singh Ahlawat, Vivan Bhatena, Zarina Wahab