In a chronological manner, ever since the release of Anurag Kashyap's 'Gangs of Wasseypur', the films and TV shows based pivotally on various regional landscapes have seen an exponential rise. While previously, the Bombay film industry made several films on the city of dreams, it was only during the 2010s that mainstream cinema came to explore regionalities. Among the long list of films and shows that have come out with regional themes, 'Paatal Lok' is one that gained popularity with audiences as soon as it was released. Known for its raw storytelling and social commentary, the series brought several Indian locales to life, blending their unique atmospheres with the show's complex themes. Recently, after its initial success, the show came up with its second season. Shot in various locations across the face of India, the series is a dramatic cluster of landscapes. Let us embark on a trail across the country that forms the 'Paatal Lok 2' circuit.
Much like the previous season, 'Paatal Lok 2' features Delhi as a major location. The story's many layers are powerfully set against Delhi's bustling landscape that conflates modern and the mediaeval. In that, you come across old winding lanes, chaotic streets and markets alongside glaring social divisions. In the show, Delhi turns into a metaphor to delineate the moral complexities and the sharp contrasts captured in the raw essence of urban life seen in its busy metropolitan identity and industrial magnanimity. Instead of using studio sets, the filmmakers chose to shoot at actual settings giving the film a genuine feel that naturally resonates with the audiences.
The capital of Nagaland, Kohima, is one of the most remarkable places in season 2. The region offered the series a striking visual palette with its mist-laden hills, quaint villages and distinct cultural character. The seclusion gave way for evocative scenery and helped bolster the narrative with its backdrop adding a sense of mystery to the plot. The remoteness of the place only further enhanced the tension. In addition to giving more realism to the story, Kohima's untamed landscape and natural beauty highlighted a region in India through the film which is often glossed over in popular cinema and shows.
Kalimpong and Darjeeling, which are tucked away in the eastern Himalayas, offer an ethereally stunning setting for a number of crucial episodes in ‘Paatal Lok 2’. These places have previously served as evocative locations for many a films, for instance, the recent film starring Kareena Kapoor, ‘Jaane Jaan’ (2023) was completely based in Kalimpong. These places' fog-covered hills, meandering roads and colonial-era architecture stand in stark contrast to the plot's intensity, producing a visual contrast that heightens the story's emotional effect. The story is made more intriguing and remote by the Darjeeling toy train, the verdant tea estates, and Kalimpong's serene monasteries and rustic appeal.These locations nicely fit the show's gloomy themes by bringing out an undercurrent of disquiet in addition to showcasing West Bengal's natural beauty. The addition of Kalimpong and Darjeeling enhances the series' multi-layered narrative and lends it a hint of mystique.
Beyond merely being aesthetically pleasing, the selection of locations in ‘Paatal Lok 2’ of authentic and varied locales grounds the show in the intricate realities of India, providing viewers with an insight into the socio-political and cultural fabric of the nation. The gritty, unpolished depiction of these locales reflects the unfiltered emotions and conflicts in the plot. By fusing urban chaos with rural tranquillity and seclusion, the series embodies its titular underworld, or "paatal lok."
