Paatal Lok Season 2: A Gripping Tale Set in Nagaland That Breaks Stereotypes and Thrills with Authenticity

The makers have ensured that the Northeast state is portrayed with respect and depth, steering clear of stereotypes and caricatures.

The second season of Paatal Lok was worth the five-year wait, delivering an unflinching narrative that takes viewers to Nagaland, a state rarely explored in Indian entertainment. The show opens with a Naga waiter speaking in Nagamese–setting the tone for a story steeped in authenticity.

Inspector Hathi Ram Chaudhary, played brilliantly by Jaideep Ahlawat, finds himself in a new Paatal Lok or netherworld–Nagaland. The makers have ensured that the Northeast state is portrayed with respect and depth, steering clear of stereotypes and caricatures.

The script is a masterclass in integrating cultural authenticity into a thriller. Naga characters, such as Rose Lizo (Merenla Imsong), former rebel leader Ken (Jahnu Baruah), and local SP Megha Barua (Tillotama Shome), are central to the plot, speaking primarily in Nagamese unless interacting with outsiders. The show refrains from spoon-feeding audiences, encouraging them to rely on subtitles, a practice commonly accepted for foreign films.

The series begins with the murder and decapitation of Jonathan Thom (Kaguirong Gonmei), a prominent Naga leader, in a Delhi hotel. The crime’s ripples are felt in Nagaland, where political and social tensions threaten to derail an important summit. The narrative also delves into the challenges of identity and the insider-outsider debate, tackling issues such as the Inner Line Permit system and the marginalisation of Hindi-speaking communities in the Northeast.

In a standout scene, a Bihari driver at Kohima airport shouts “permit, permit,” highlighting the irony of an outsider enforcing local regulations. Another moment sees a Marwari businessman lamenting the taxes imposed by insurgent groups, questioning how he can be considered an outsider despite being born and raised in Nagaland.

The show doesn’t shy away from exploring the biases within Northeastern communities themselves. For instance, Isaac (Bendang Walling) distrusts SP Megha Barua, not only because she is an outsider from Assam but also because she is a woman. This nuanced depiction challenges the victim-only narrative often associated with the Northeast, showing characters as layered individuals with their own biases and struggles.

Paatal Lok also addresses larger issues such as militancy, drug abuse, and the exploitation of power. The rebel leaders in the series are shown as having agendas that often have little to do with development, presenting a complex, unfiltered view of the region’s socio-political challenges.

Jaideep Ahlawat’s portrayal of Hathi Ram Chaudhary is as compelling as ever. This season sees the North Indian cop navigating a culture he doesn’t understand, forcing him to shed his usual bravado and adapt to a world where his badge and Hindi expletives hold little power.

The creators have taken great care to depict Naga culture without exoticising it. From using Nagamese extensively to ensuring the accurate representation of Naga shawls and customs, they have struck a fine balance. They avoided assigning specific tribal identities by using fictitious surnames like Thom, ensuring the portrayal remained respectful and avoided stereotyping.

In a rare feat, Paatal Lok shines a light on a region often sidelined in Indian mainstream media. The series not only thrills as a crime drama but also educates its audience about the cultural richness and complexities of Nagaland.

Bollywood, take note–this is how you tell stories about the Northeast. Paatal Lok Season 2 is not just a show; it’s a milestone in Indian entertainment.

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