The first trailer for the new Indian series Hush Hush has been released on Prime Video, and the show stands out for having a female-dominated cast and crew. Bollywood legend Juhi Chawla, who was at the top of her game in the ’90s, heads up a stellar ensemble as a lady and her friends who become engaged in a serious criminal investigation. The preview gives off a gloomy vibe about the show. A few ladies from the upper class had their lives turned upside down when they become the primary suspects in a police inquiry. The crime itself is never clearly defined, but all signs lead to murder. As secrets are revealed and the ladies feel trapped, they realise they can only lean on one another for strength.
Alongside Chawla are actresses Ayesha Jhulka, Soha Ali Khan Pataudi, Kritika Kamra, and Shahana Goswami. The case’s lead investigator is played by Karishma Tanna. Tanna’s officer adds in Hindi, “I hope you’re quiet to protect yourselves doesn’t imply what I believe it does,” while scenes of a dead corpse, a murder scene, and a heated encounter play in the background, creating a sense of anxiety. It seems like Hush Hush is addressing not just the patriarchal worldview common in Indian culture but also the innate socioeconomic inequality that shapes the lives of the vast majority of Indians. Women such as Tanuja Chandra, Kopal Naithani, Juhi Chaturvedi, and Shikhaa Sharma are behind the camera. Prime Video said that several of the top executives in different departments are women.
According to Prime Video’s Head of India Originals, Aparna Purohit: “Women make about half of the world’s population, yet there are very few narratives that centre on female protagonists or explore gender dynamics. Prime Video is dedicated to providing a global platform for original, diverse, and relatable female-centric tales, and with the release of Hush Hush, we’re taking that dedication to the next level. Hush Hush is an engaging drama featuring deep, flawed, and complicated female characters. We’re excited to be working with Abundantia Entertainment again to develop a narrative that has strong female protagonists and highlights the contributions of women in all walks of life. ” Hush Hush joins a growing number of streaming ventures that have made it possible for older female actresses to come back to the spotlight. When it comes to popular films in India, female characters have always been written as disposable.
Many older performers are still typecast into menial roles, sometimes being replaced by much younger female actresses opposite male stars who refuse to acknowledge their age. Shefali Shah (Delhi Crime), Pooja Bhatt (Bombay Begums), and Raveena Tandon (Aranyak), to name a few, all turned in career-best performances after making the transition to streaming. Chawla had a cameo appearance in the Prime Video romance comedy Sharmaji Namkeen earlier this year, and Shah reprised his role as the lead in the second season of Netflix’s Delhi Crime, which debuted earlier this month.
On September 22nd, Hush Hush will be made available to the public.
Synopsis
In Hush Hush, a group of women’s seemingly perfect lives are thrown into chaos when a revelation from the past threatens to destroy all they hold dear. The novel unravels the calm exterior of these women’s affluent lifestyles to reveal the storm brewing beneath.