Kaala Paani Review: Well-Acted, Wonderfully Crafted Drama

Worlds, ideologies, the old and the new, nature and commerce collide in a seven-part survival drama set on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Writers Biswapati Sarkar, Nimisha Misra, Sandeep Saket and Amit Golani’s ambitious story attempts to tackle numerous issues through various characters.

Events begin in December 2027, some years after the Covid-19 pandemic. A highly publicised tourism event is beginning at Port Blair. The intention is to bring in revenue and improve employment opportunities to the island state.

On the eve of the event, the chief medical officer (Mona Singh) discovers a deadly disease that has the capability of turning into an epidemic. The local corrupt senior of a punishment posting, in cahoots with a major sponsor, dismisses her caution and the event proceeds.