The Broken News 2 Review: The Broken News 2 plunges into the abyss of Indian journalism, where the rivalry between Awaaz Bharati and Josh 24/7 mirrors the battle between ethics and sensationalism. Amina Qureshi (Sonali Bendre) and Dipankar Sanyal (Jaideep Ahlawat) lead their respective channels, and the series navigates the murky depths of truth and manipulation. Season 2 starts with Radha Bharghava (Shriya Pilgaonkar) being dubbed anti-national and a terrorist as she grapples to deal with the consequences of trying to expose the truth about Operation Umbrella – a corrupt business deal between a corporate and the state government. The deal, Radha unearths, will be used to monitor people’s conversations and record them without their knowledge.
Led by the steadfast Amina and the ruthless Dipankar – Awaaz and Josh – offer a gripping backdrop for the complex lives and relationships within a newsroom. Sonali shines as Amina, especially portraying her nuanced relationship with colleague and friend, Radha Bhargava, with finesse. Moments where her morals and ethics come in between TRPs and standing up for friends, stand out. There are scenes in which Sonali conveys a lot, merely through her eyes. Jaideep Ahlawat delivers a standout performance as Dipankar Sanyal, yet again, seamlessly oscillating between his character’s dual personas – that of a manipulative anchor and a loving father caught in a dysfunctional marriage. As the series progresses, more sides to Dipankar’s personality come to the fore, taking viewers by surprise. Jaideep pours his soul into the character, effortlessly portraying the varied emotions that Dipankar goes through as his moral compass flickers.
The series also stands out in its portrayal of the moral dilemmas faced by its characters, particularly Radha, whose arc evokes conflicting emotions of empathy and reproach in the viewers. Shriya’s portrayal of one who has been wronged by the system, is poignant and powerful and, without a shadow of doubt, the emotional core of the show. Props to the writers for scenes written well, with keen attention to details. Taaruk Raina, Indraneil Sengupta and Akshay Oberoi, too, do justice to their respective roles.
The Vinay Vaikul directorial captures the contrasts of our modern world: the differences between real and fake news, journalism and public relations. And yes, you are bound to draw parallels. Why, you ask? Because these stories unfold daily on our TV, social media, and in conversations. They have shaped, and sometimes twisted, our understanding of the world.
However, despite its strong start, the series falters in its second half, succumbing to convoluted subplots and an over-reliance on sensationalism. The attempt to tie up loose ends in the final episodes feels somewhat rushed. As the series progresses, it veers off course, succumbing to the same sensationalism it critiques. Too many parallel plots intertwine, transforming the newsroom drama into a thriller of sorts. However, you are likely to take home a message as the credits roll as a befitting ‘Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hain Tere’ plays – delving too deep into media manipulation can have consequences – sometimes, it changes us as much as we try to change it.
Despite the flaws, The Broken News Season 2 is a gritty newsroom drama with some stellar performances. A good, binge-worthy watch.
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