High is the latest web series streaming on MX player. It was advertised in full front page of Times of India on its release date i.e. 7th October 2020. It more than lives up to the hype created around it and its tagline – Sky is the Limit. HIGH is a gripping drama on psychotropic substances and drug trade and one of the best series to come out of MX stables which has been hitherto to making and streaming B or C grade series without much substance and more about sex and cuss words.
Here too, in High, a liberal dose of cuss words and some erotica is surely shown but it does not look forced or out of context and only takes the story forward. This web series is different from run-of-the-mill stuff, it is really well made and keeps you engrossed episode after episode forcing you to binge watch it as you will not be satisfied with just seeing a couple of episodes and postponing it for later.
The protagonist in High is Shiv, a junkie and played by Akshay Oberoi who is a regular of MX players web series and seen earlier in their Bar Code. So basically Shiv a junkie is administered a wonder drug in a Rehab Centre by a team of do good Doctors Roy (Prakash Belawadi), Nakul (Nakul Bhalla) and Shweta (Shweta Basu Prasad). Now to save the Rehab Center from going under they need to get this drug to be sold on the streets which is a cure all of all addiction but gives the effect of cocaine but is finally not addictive itself.
There are the vested interests of the drug cartel king Munna (Kunal Naik very effective) his nemesis Ghulam bhai. A CEO of a pharma major who wants to lay her hands on the formula, then there is Lakra (Ranvir Sheorey- superbly restrained and not over the top as in PARIWAR)her hitman who is assigned to finish these do gooders. A journalist who wants to create a breaking news of some substance and bring to light this drug which is a cure all to all addicts.
Everyone having their own reasons and interest. As all the bad guys square-off the series is kept open ended for a sequel. It is a nine episode series and each episode is approximately 38 mins. The highlight of the series is the back story about the discovery of this wonder drug 50 years ago which is systematically played out for about 5 minutes at the start of each episode in Black and White. The OTT platform content makers are getting innovative recently we saw a new technique in C U SOON and now this series. Full marks for keeping one glued to the screen and for providing wholesome entertainment.
– Review by PAWAN GUPTA
Released – 7 October 2020
Cast of HIGH:
Akshay Oberoi
Ranvir Sheorey
Prakash Belawadi
Shweta Basu Prasad
Mrinmayee Godbole
Kunal Naik
Nakul Bhalla
Credits of HIGH:
Produced by Jamic Films
Director – Nikhil Rao
Streaming on MX Player
