Introduction: A Bold Premise That Captivates Early On

The release of Rangeen on Amazon Prime Video on July 25, 2025, sparked significant buzz, largely due to its unconventional storyline and a stellar cast featuring Vineet Kumar Singh, Rajshri Deshpande, Taaruk Raina, and Sheeba Chaddha. Directed by Kopal Naithani and Pranjal Dua, the series promised a daring exploration of love, betrayal, and self-discovery, centered around a small-town journalist, Adarsh, who becomes a gigolo after discovering his wife’s infidelity. Social media platforms, particularly X, lit up with reactions as viewers shared their thoughts on this bold narrative. However, a recurring sentiment among netizens is that Rangeen starts strong but falters midway, losing its narrative grip. This essay delves into these audience reactions, analyzing the series’ strengths, weaknesses, and the reasons behind its mixed reception.

A Promising Start: Intriguing Concept and Strong Performances

Netizens on X praised Rangeen for its fresh and provocative premise. The story of Adarsh, portrayed by Vineet Kumar Singh, begins with a shocking revelation: his wife, Naina, played by Rajshri Deshpande, is having an affair with a gigolo named Sunny (Taaruk Raina). In an unexpected twist, Adarsh decides to enter the same profession, blending revenge with a journey of self-discovery. This setup hooked viewers, with many describing it as “bold” and “refreshing” for tackling taboo themes like masculinity, marital struggles, and sexual agency in a small-town Indian setting. Posts on X highlighted the early episodes’ ability to balance dark humor with emotional depth, creating a compelling narrative that challenged societal norms.

The performances also garnered significant praise. Vineet Kumar Singh’s portrayal of Adarsh was lauded for its sincerity and emotional nuance, particularly in scenes depicting his internal conflict. Taaruk Raina’s vibrant performance as Sunny and Sheeba Chaddha’s commanding presence as Sitara, the shrewd operator of a discreet gigolo service, were frequently cited as highlights. One X user noted, “Sheeba Chaddha and Taaruk Raina bring so much spark to Rangeen. They steal every scene!” These strong performances initially fueled optimism, with viewers appreciating the series’ attempt to blend wit with poignant storytelling.

Midway Missteps: Where Rangeen Loses Its Charm

Despite its promising start, Rangeen struggled to maintain its momentum, according to netizens. A common critique on X was that the series “loses the plot midway,” with the narrative becoming muddled and repetitive. Around the fourth or fifth episode, viewers noted a shift in tone, with the show oscillating between comedy, drama, and introspection without fully committing to any. This inconsistency diluted the emotional impact, leaving audiences confused about the story’s direction. One user remarked, “#RangeenOnPrime had a 🔥 concept but lost the plot midway. Bold start. Bland end.” The series’ nine-episode run, with each episode exceeding 40 minutes, was criticized for dragging, with some calling entire episodes “filler” that failed to advance the central conflict.

The writing, credited to Amardeep Galsin, Amir Rizvi, and Tanika Bhattacharjee, was another point of contention. While the dialogue initially sparkled with dark humor, netizens felt it became repetitive, failing to explore the deeper themes of masculinity and societal judgment promised in the premise. Subplots involving peripheral characters, such as jailed criminals or quirky locals, were seen as distractions that crowded the narrative without adding depth. Additionally, some viewers felt that Rajshri Deshpande’s character, Naina, was underutilized, with her arc reduced to repetitive emotional beats rather than a fully fleshed-out journey.

Technical Shortcomings and Missed Opportunities

Beyond the narrative, technical aspects also drew criticism. The cinematography by Nigamendra Bomzan was praised for capturing the small-town atmosphere in some scenes but criticized for inconsistent lighting and overly polished visuals in others, which clashed with the story’s gritty tone. The background score by Sagar Desai was described as overpowering, often drowning out dialogue and disrupting the viewing experience. Editing issues further compounded the problem, with netizens pointing out that tighter cuts could have eliminated unnecessary scenes to maintain engagement. These technical flaws contributed to the sense that Rangeen failed to live up to its bold vision.

The Silver Lining: A Step Toward Bold Storytelling

Despite its shortcomings, Rangeen was commended for its courage in tackling unconventional themes. The series’ exploration of a middle-aged man navigating a taboo profession in a conservative society was seen as a step toward more daring Indian OTT content. Posts on X appreciated the attempt to address complex issues like marital fidelity and personal identity, even if the execution faltered. Vineet Kumar Singh’s commitment to challenging roles and the supporting cast’s energy were seen as redeeming factors, with some viewers recommending the series for its quirky moments and standout performances.

Conclusion: A Vibrant Idea That Fades Too Soon

In summary, Rangeen captured audiences’ attention with its bold premise and talented cast but struggled to sustain its early promise, as reflected in netizens’ reactions on X. The series’ inability to maintain a cohesive tone, coupled with pacing issues and underdeveloped subplots, led to a consensus that it “loses the plot midway.” While Vineet Kumar Singh, Taaruk Raina, and Sheeba Chaddha delivered compelling performances, the narrative and technical shortcomings prevented Rangeen from fully realizing its potential. Nevertheless, its attempt to push boundaries in Indian storytelling makes it a noteworthy, if flawed, addition to the OTT landscape. For viewers seeking bold concepts, Rangeen offers moments of brilliance but falls short of being a cohesive masterpiece.

Read Also: Thalaivan Thalaivii Movie Review: A Noisy Drama Lacking Depth and Clarity