Rating: ★★★★☆
“Scoop,” on Netflix is an immersive and powerful web series that delves deep into the hidden undercurrents of journalism, peeling back the layers of systematic failure and callous disregard for justice. It unravels the harrowing journey of Jagruti Pathak (altered name for Jigna Vora), a Bureau Chief and Senior Crime Reporter, falsely accused of conspiring with underworld don, Chota Rajan, for the murder of her esteemed colleague, Jaideb Sen (altered name for Jyotirmoy Dey) in 2011.
It is based on a compelling memoir, “Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison,” penned by Jigna Vora herself after being released on bail, post her 7 months of judicial custody.
The strength of the “Scoop” lies in its unwavering commitment to authenticity and the unflinching portrayal of injustices suffered by Jagruti Pathak (Jigna Vora). It uncovers a network of deceit and sheds some light on the alleged police-underworld nexus of 2011, with the dark shadow of Dawood Ibrahim hovering in the background. It lays bare for the audiences, not all but at least a few, unyielding challenges faced by the journalists who dare to dig deep for answers, only to be pushed deeper into the very abyss they sought to expose.
Karishma Tanna delivers a tour de force performance as Jagruti Pathak (Jigna Vora), capturing the indomitable spirit and sheer determination of a woman ensnared in a web of deception. Harman Baweja’s commending portrayal as JCP Shroff resonates with power and complexity, truly highlighting his noteworthy comeback. Here on the other hand, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub’s role as Imran is hauntingly authentic and is sure to win a lot of praises from the viewers. Prosenjit Chatterjee’s nuanced performance as Jaideb Sen (Jyotirmoy Dey) is low on screen-time but high on impact. It’s safe to say that the entire cast has managed to leave an indelible mark with their performances, contributing to the overall brilliance of the series.
While drawing inspiration from a memoir, what’s hard to overlook is the striking resemblance of certain characters in the series to real-life figures. Imran, the Editor-in-chief of Eastern Age, closely mirrors Hussain Zaidi, the renowned Crime Journalist who mentored Jigna Vora in real life. He has authored books like Mafia Queen of Mumbai, Dongri to Dubai: Six decades of the Mumbai Mafia, Black Friday etc., most of which have been adapted as screenplays over the years. Likewise, JCP Shroff’s portrayal strongly echoes the persona of the Late JCP of Maharashtra, Himanshu Roy, whose battle with cancer and depression tragically led to his untimely demise by suicide. These parallels bring a sense of verisimilitude to the series blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
After the success of “Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story”, Hansal Mehta, the directorial genius, has managed to weave a gripping tapestry of raw emotions and jaw-dropping revelations in a winner like Scoop.
Scoop is a must-watch this weekend for those captivated by the world of journalism. It offers you an emotionally charged, unapologetic and thought-provoking fictionalised narrative, inspired by true events, which leaves a lasting impression that lingers well beyond the final episode. So brace yourself and go watch Scoop, now streaming, only on Netflix.
Also Read: https://clipper28.com/en/pm-modi-inaugurates-new-parliament-building/
