Kolonko (2024) Series Review: The climax is the only watchable part

Kolonko (2024) Bengali Web Series Review: Poor Writing & Execution

Abhimanyu Mukherjee directed the web series Kolonko, comprising 8 episodes and starring Raima Sen and Ritwick Chakraborty in the lead roles. Supporting cast members include Srijla Guha, Gaurav Chakrabarty, Ambarish Bhattacharya, Beas Dhar, and Judhajit Sarkar. The series premiered on Hoichoi on January 19, 2024.

The story revolves around two college friends, Rangan (Ritwick Chakraborty) and Chaiti (Raima Sen), who tied the knot with the condition of never lying to each other. After 10 years of marriage, they have a daughter, Piya (Beas Dhar), and a son, Leo. On their 20th anniversary, they discover "Happy Anniversary Liar" written on the cake. The central mystery is figuring out who the liar is, what they lied about, and why.

While Hoichoi has impressed with content like "Jaha Bolibo Shotto Bolibo" at the beginning of the year, Kolonko falls short. The series, with poor writing by Sahana Dutta and lackluster execution by Abhimanyu Mukherjee, turns what could have been a captivating thriller into an ordinary family drama.

The narrative stagnates, with characters engaging in internal conflicts throughout the day. The story feels stuck in a loop, and the lack of progression becomes evident until the last episode. Viewers may find themselves confused about the series' purpose, as the complex narrative makes it challenging to grasp the intended message.

The character of Piya, a teenage girl fascinated by her parents' relationship issues, comes off as rude without clear motivation. Her behavior, at times, borders on unsettling, leaving the audience puzzled.

Repetitive scenes, such as a girl washing bloodied hands, lack coherence. Although the series attempts to build suspense by concealing the face, the revelation in the last episode is predictable. The season ends hinting at a sequel, likely delving into a murder mystery in Kolonko 2.

Performance-wise, actors like Raima Sen, Ritwick Chakraborty, and Ambarish Bhattacharya seem underutilized. Srijla Guha as Kankana and Gaurav Chakrabarty as Bihan deliver watchable performances, with the hope for more screen time in the upcoming season.

Characters like Ambarish Bhattacharya as a psychiatrist, Aditi Chatterjee as Tithi, and Judhajit Sarkar as Ayan fail to contribute significantly to the narrative. Aside from a twist in the climax, Kolonko lacks elements to sustain excitement throughout the thriller web series.