Starring: Niharika Konidela, Akshay Lagusani, Sai Ronak, Harsha Chemudu, Bhavana Sagi, Rajeev Kanakala, Bindu Chandramouli, Jayashree Rachakonda
Director: Aditya Mandala
Producers: Sameer Gogate, Rahul Tamada, Saideep Reddy Bora
Music Director: Sidhartha Sadasivuni
Disney Plus Hotstar recently released a new web series called Dead Pixels, an Indian adaptation of the British television sitcom of the same name. Directed by Aditya Mandala, the series features popular actress Niharika Konidela in the lead role. Now, let’s dive into the content and dissect the series.
Story:
Dead Pixels revolves around the lives of Gayathri (Niharika), Bhargav (Akshay Lagusani), and Anand (Harsha Chemudu), who are avid fans of the video game “Battle of Thrones.” They are so engrossed in the game that they even play it during their office hours. Their ultimate aspiration is to conquer the game.
However, their routine takes a turn when Roshan (Sai Ronak) joins Gayathri’s office and becomes part of the game. The series follows their journey as they strive to complete the game and explores how Roshan’s entry alters their dynamics.
Positive Aspects:
- Niharika Konidela delivers a commendable performance as a passionate video game enthusiast. Akshay Lagusani, Harsha Chemudu, and Sai Ronak give decent performances in their respective roles. Bhavana Sagi, portraying Niharika’s friend, delivers an impressive portrayal as she attempts to influence her companion positively.
- The series incorporates a few well-executed comedy scenes that add to its entertainment value. Particularly, the interaction between Akshay and Rajeev Kanakala stands out, with the senior actor making a lasting impact despite his limited screen time.
Negative Aspects:
- One of the significant drawbacks of Dead Pixels is its narrow target audience—gamers. As a result, it may not appeal to a broader range of viewers. This limitation raises the question of why non-gamers should invest their time in watching the series if it fails to engage or entertain them. Additionally, the intended message behind the series remains unclear.
- Throughout the series, the characters’ sole focus is playing the game, regardless of their surroundings. This constant obsession, such as a pilot playing the game during work hours, may come across as excessive and unrealistic to most viewers.
- While the series attempts to explore the impact of the game on personal lives, the execution falls short of delivering a compelling emotional impact. Despite the predictable nature of this aspect, the poor execution hinders its potential, resulting in a lack of emotional depth.
- In contrast, the series Guilty Minds includes an episode that delves into online gaming and portrays the harmful consequences of such obsessions. This inclusion captivates not only avid gamers but also viewers who are unfamiliar or uninterested in online games. Incorporating similar elements in Dead Pixels could have appealed to a broader audience, including non-gamers.
Technical Aspects:
The background score by Sidhartha Sadasivuni remains monotonous throughout the series, failing to leave a significant impression. Fahad Abdul Majeed’s cinematography is satisfactory, and the editing is adequate. The series predominantly utilizes a limited number of locations, and the production values maintain a decent standard.
Verdict:
Overall, Dead Pixels is an incredibly dull series that caters exclusively to gamers. While Niharika and the rest of the cast deliver competent performances, the series severely tests one’s patience due to its weak storytelling and narration. If you’re not a gamer, it’s safe to skip this series without giving it a second thought.
