Pill Season 1 Review : Riteish Deshmukh and Pawan Malhotra shine in this gripping drama exposing pharma corruption

Story: Despite failing tests, the new diabetes drug is launched by its parent company, Forever Cure Pharma. Dr. Prakash Chauhan launches a crusade against the company as they prepare to release their new cancer drug.

Review: The director of films like ‘Aamir,’ ‘No One Killed Jessica,’ and ‘Raid’ makes his streaming debut with ‘Pill,’ and it’s a sensational entry. Tackling the corruption in the pharma industry, ‘Pill’ is a gripping watch that grabs your attention through its eight episodes. The brilliance of ‘Pill’ lies in its unique approach, despite following three similar Hollywood series last year—'Dopesick,’ ‘Painkiller,’ and ‘The Dropout' – all dealing with pharma industry. Supported by believable performances and fine direction, the core plot explores the classic David vs. Goliath theme, and the series’ nuanced details and pacing make it a worthwhile watch. It's a show that not only entertains but also provokes thought about the deep-seated issues within the pharmaceutical world.

The plot of this series revolves around Dr. Prakash Chauhan (Riteish Deshmukh), Deputy Controller of Medicine with the Medicine Council of India. Forever Cure, a pharma giant led by Brahma Gill (Pavan Malhotra), has launched a diabetes medicine without following the required protocols. Just to increase the sample size of tests conducted, the company thinks it wise to duplicate the results. This negligence results in kidney and blindness-related complications. Brahma Gill covers up the wrongdoing with the help of his Chief Minister friend, who is also the future father-in-law of his son. When a rookie journalist discovers a confidential and sensitive document about one of Forever Cure's medicines, it triggers a chain of events involving Ashish Khanna (Kunj Anand), a whistleblower from the company, Gurjit (Anshul Chauhan), a Medicine Inspector with the Medicine Council of India, and Dr. Prakash himself.

This crime-drama is enhanced by outstanding performances that feel credible and believable. Riteish Deshmukh delivers a stunning, measured, and controlled performance and hits all the right notes. His attire, the car he drives, and the family atmosphere all lend credence to his role, though the slight Bhojpurish twang could have been avoided. Pawan Malhotra shines once again in a menacing and intimidating role as the shrewd owner of a pharma company, delivering a powerful performance. The contrast between his character in boardroom meetings and his interactions with his mother showcases his range. The series also features several lesser-known actors who manage to leave a mark, notably Baharul Islam as the Head of Research at Forever Cure and Dr. Prakash’s mentor, Ashish Khanna as Kunj Anand, and Sanghasri Sinha as Dr. Neelima Chakraborty.

In terms of plot, this crime drama isn't exceptionally unique, as you can often predict the outcomes. However, it's the magic of the screenplay that sets it apart, making the show highly binge-worthy. The cinematography used in the series makes the events appear realistic, and the inclusion of new actors enhances the viewing experience. ‘Pill’ delves into a fresh sector, exposing its malpractices, much like a subject Madhur Bhandarkar might choose for his films. The series is also timely, reflecting current events such as the recent cancellation of licenses for 64 pharma companies as of February this year. ‘Pill’ certainly takes some creative liberties, like the moment when Noor, the rookie journalist, discovers the confidential file while attending to nature's call – that’s an awesome coincidence. However, these are minor quirks in the grand scheme of things, essential for driving the story forward. Jaideep Yadav and Mahim Joshie, alongside Gupta, deliver on the direction front as expected. This series is definitely not a bitter pill; in fact, it's quite satisfying to swallow.