Sushmita Sen reprises her formidable role in the third installment of Ram Madhvani’s highly praised web series, Aarya.
Within the show, she’s referred to as “sherni,” a tiger or tigress, symbolizing a mother’s unwavering dedication to safeguard her territory.
Derived from the Dutch series Penoza, the new season delves deeper into the gritty world of Aarya Sareen (played by Sushmita) and her gradual shift into a drug kingpin, a path she reluctantly embarks upon.
The foundation laid in the previous seasons remains strong. However, regrettably, the third season fails to meet the lofty expectations, delivering only a mildly gratifying experience. This impression is based on the preview of the initial four episodes, which continue the narrative from Season 2.
In a dramatically charged moment, Aarya declares, “Maine bhagna chhod diya hain (I have given up running),” embracing the very things she once detested and ascending to the throne of a sprawling opium empire.
Supported by Sampat (Vishwajeet Pradhan), she now engages in business transactions with the Russians, who previously posed a threat to her life.
Meanwhile, ACP Younus Khan (Vikas Kumar) devises a clandestine plan to ensnare Aarya and dismantle the international drug cartel.
Aarya’s challenges intensify as two formidable adversaries, Suraj (Indraneil Sengupta) and Nalini (Ila Arun), loom, threatening to seize her family and empire. Will she weather these storms?
The primary issue with Aarya 3 is the feeling of a rehashed plot from earlier seasons. There’s a lack of significant development in the arcs of recurring characters, diminishing the audience’s investment in Aarya’s journey.
This repetitiveness is notably evident in the stories of Aarya’s spirited teenage daughter Aru (Virti Vaghani), her traumatized younger son Aditya (Pratyaksh Panwar), and her defiant elder son Veer (Viren Vazirani). The lack of evolution in their narratives makes for a monotonous viewing experience.
Even the subplot involving Aarya’s friend Maya (Maya Sarao) falters in its attempt to explore her guilt, failing to evoke the intended impact.
Despite bullets flying and betrayals looming, the show lacks the captivating depth required to sustain interest. The lack of significant character exploration makes the narrative seem mundane.
Nonetheless, Sushmita Sen’s portrayal of Aarya stands out. Even amidst the shaky plot, Sen’s commanding presence carries the show.
She embodies a drug lord with a conscience, a good person pushed to do bad things under dire circumstances. Sen infuses Aarya with a perfect blend of resilience and elegance, becoming the series’ primary attraction.
The supporting cast also delivers strong performances. Newcomers like Indraneil Sengupta and Ila Arun bring depth to their respective characters, adding layers to the narrative.
However, it’s disheartening to witness talents like Geetanjali Kulkarni being underutilized, given limited scope to shine as the astute cop from the narcotics team.
Ultimately, Aarya 3 falls short of the standards set by its predecessors, primarily relying on relentless violence and killings without the necessary gripping drama.
The series leans heavily on the same tropes of double-crosses and murders, failing to offer anything substantially new or engaging.
Rating: 3 /5
Aarya Season 3 is Streaming on Disney + Hotstar