Code M is an Indian Hindi-language crime drama web series created and produced by Juggernaut Productions for ALT Balaji and ZEE5.[1] The series stars Jennifer Winget, Rajat Kapoor, Seema Biswas and Tanuj Virwani.[2][3]
| Code M | |
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 Web series poster | |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
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| Written by |
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| Directed by | Hrishikesh Bhargava Arnav Chakravarti |
| Starring | Jennifer Winget |
| Country of origin | India |
| Original language | Hindi |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producer |
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| Production location | India |
| Cinematography | Shanu Singh Rajput |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 18–25 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network |
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| Release | 15 January 2020 |
Plot
editThe series revolves around an Indian Army lawyer, Monica Mehra, who discovers a conspiracy plot during her investigation of a military encounter case.
The series starts with a flashback scene, where three military men (Maj. Shakti Mandappa, Maj. Gaurav Shekhawat and Maj. Ajay Paswan) are following two terrorists. After ambushing them, a gunfire battle ensues, where the two terrorists and Maj. Paswan are killed.
At the nearby Indian Army base in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, after facing protests from locals disputing the military's characterization of a terrorist encounter as fake, the mother of the slain Indian asks for justice. After she immolates herself and suffers burns, the military establishment hires an Army lawyer (Monica Mehra) to probe the incident independently.
Monica is shown to be a fierce and fearless individual, who is just weeks away from her wedding, accepts the order for investigation upon the urge of the military head of the base, Col. Suryaveer Chauhan, who incidentally happens to be a family friend. Initially, Monica finds the incident an open-and-shut case.
However, after additional questioning of Shakti and Gaurav, she suspects them of wrong-doing. In reaction, the two hire Angad Sandhu as their counsel, who coincidentally happens to be Monica's ex-boyfriend. After a series of confrontations and mishaps, Monica and Angad team up together to learn the truth. After days of twists and turns, Monica confronts Gaurav, who under emotional distress, reveals the truth partly. Gaurav says that he and Shakti are gay and they love each other. Even after Shakti's marriage and kid, they continued to maintain their same-sex relationship by making sure they were stationed at the same base. Gaurav says that after Maj. Paswan learned of their truth, afraid that he may expose them one day, Shakti and Gaurav plot to kill him with a fake terrorist encounter as a ruse.
As the series ends, Shakti is taken into military police custody while Gaurav commits suicide. As Monica leaves for home, she remembers another detail that bothers her and returns to the base. She confronts Shakti to unveil the remaining truth and Shakti tells her that Col. Chauhan wanted purity in the military and asks her to confront him.
After setting up a routine conversation with Col. Chauhan, in a fit of rage, he admits that he directed Shakti and Gaurav to kill Ajay as he disapproved of his engagement with his daughter as Ajay belonged to a different caste that he felt were inferior to his. He blackmailed Shakti to commit this crime to protect his gay identity.
Monica finally exposes Col. Chauhan and admonishes him for wearing a military uniform that is meant to serve all irrespective of gender or societal status while committing such crimes. She brings forth his daughter, Gayatri, who slaps him and abandons him.
The series ends with a tribute to the brave men and women of the Indian armed forces.[4]
Cast
editSeason 1
edit- Jennifer Winget as Major Monica Mehra[5]
- Tanuj Virwani as Legal Council Angad Sandhu
- Rajat Kapoor Col. Suryaveer Chauhan[6]
- Seema Biswas as, alleged terrorist, Asif's mother[7]
- Anisa Butt as Gayatri Chauhan[8]
- Madhurima Roy as Zeenat[9]
- Keshav Sadhna as Major Gaurav Shekhawat
- Aalekh Kapoor as Major Shakti Mandappa
- Meghana Kaushik as Serana, Shakti's Wife
Season 2
edit- Jennifer Winget as Major Monica Mehra
- Tanuj Virwani as Legal Council Angad Sandhu
- Swanand Kirkire
Episodes
editSeries overview
editSeason 1
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Iss Case Ko Dil Se Nahi Dimaag Se Solve Karna" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 15 January 2020 |
| 2 | 2 | "Fauj Ki Dahad" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 15 January 2020 |
| 3 | 3 | "Vardi Maili Ho Ya Saaf, Indian Army Ki Hi Hoti Hai!" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 15 January 2020 |
| 4 | 4 | "Saat Saal Pehle Bhi Ek Encounter?" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 15 January 2020 |
| 5 | 5 | "Har Kahaani Ke Teen Pehlu Hote Hai – Unka, Tumhara, Aur Sach" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha, Sulagna Chatterjee | 15 January 2020 |
| 6 | 6 | "Aakhir Encounter Ke Din Hua Kya Tha?" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 15 January 2020 |
| 7 | 7 | "Murder Hai, Motive Hai, Bas Confession Chahiye!" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 15 January 2020 |
| 8 | 8 | "Jung Mein Kabhi Akele Mat Jaana!" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha, Sulagna Chatterjee | 15 January 2020 |
Season 2
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Back With A Bang" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 9 June 2022 |
| 2 | 2 | "The Handover" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 9 June 2022 |
| 3 | 3 | "The Target" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 9 June 2022 |
| 4 | 4 | "The Commander" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 9 June 2022 |
| 5 | 5 | "Behind The Scenes" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 9 June 2022 |
| 6 | 6 | "The Past" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 9 June 2022 |
| 7 | 7 | "The Test" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 9 June 2022 |
| 8 | 8 | "The Vigilante" | Akshay Choubey | Shubhra Chatterji, Aparna Nadig, Aniruddha Guha | 9 June 2022 |
Critical reception
editWriting in India Today Shweta Keshri has described the series as "Jennifer Winget and Tanuj Virwani-starrer Code M successfully connects with the audience. Also, with so many shows on men in uniform, it was a pleasant change to see a woman lead the way."[10] Ruchi Kaushal for Hindustan Times wrote "Jennifer Winget makes an impressive debut on the digital platform as an army lawyer who delves into a high-profile case just days before her wedding."[11] Priyakshi Sharma for Pinkvilla wrote "The 20-something minute episode does not waste a second. It is fast-paced and engaging from the word go."[12]
References
edit- ^ Bureau, News Nation (13 June 2019). "Jennifer Winget's character in ALTBalaji's 'Code M' revealed; check deets inside". News Nation. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Jennifer Winget begins shooting for her debut web series". India Today. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Jennifer Winget to Play Army Officer in Debut Web Series Code M, Shares Excitement". India.com. 13 June 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Jennifer Winter starrer Code M to have a conspiracy plot surrounding the Indian Army ;read details | PINKVILLA". www.pinkvilla.com. 16 June 2019. Archived from the original on 16 June 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Jennifer Winget to Play Army Officer in ALTBalaji's Code M". www.news18.com. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Jennifer Winget to share screen space with Tanuj Virwani and Rajat Kapoor in Code M". 17 December 2019.
- ^ "Seema Biswas shoots with ardent fan Jennifer Winget". Outlook India. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Anisa Butt to feature in ALTBalaji's Code M". IWMBuzz. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
- ^ IWMBuzz, Author (18 January 2020). "I wish my Code M character was better fleshed out -Madhurima Roy". IWMBuzz. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
{{cite web}}:|first=has generic name (help) - ^ Keshri, Shweta (16 January 2020). "Code M Review: Jennifer Winget's digital debut has us saying maza nahi aaya". India Today. Archived from the original on 16 January 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- ^ "Code M review: Jennifer Winget, Rajat Kapoor offer a crackling thriller". Hindustan Times. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- ^ Sharma, Priyakshi (8 June 2022). "Code M S2 Ep 1 Review: Jennifer Winget's crime drama promises double the thrill with impressive acts". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 23 December 2022.