Bombers Review

The web series is about the struggle that a team goes through, not just to keep them adrift in the game of football but to salvage their home ground which is at the risk of making way for a mall. The web series stars Varun Mitra, Aahana Kumra, Sapna Pabbi, Zakir Hussain, Ranveer Shorey and Prince Narula and others. The web series stars with a young journalist, Andy (Sapna Pabbi) wanting to make a documentary on Bombers, one of the oldest football teams in the city. She sets up meetings with everyone associated with the club, including the captain Badol (Varun Mitra), the team and ground owner Somu Da (Zakir Hussain) and the new coach, Ranvir Shorey. The story unfolds then, in a series of flashbacks, with all of them relating their experiences to the young, plucky journalist.

Bombers is a sports drama revolving around football, a game that India’s youth enjoys as much as cricket. Those who came to watch the series for the game won’t be disappointed. The series also bluntly talks about classism by addressing the two most taboo topics in India- gay relations and red light districts. The mention of Sonagachi, India’s largest red light district, situated in West Bengal is enlightening and gives a view into the lives of children raised there- brief, subtle yet impactful. In the ensemble cast of Bombers, the Crime Patrol famed Anup Soni stands out with his character Manik Dasgupta. A ruthless politician with a veil of welfare and prosperity, Anup justifies his character to the T. Matching him in his brilliance is Ranvir Shorey, who plays Debu, the new coach of the team. Drunk and hopeless, his determination and will shines through, an embodiment of hope in the dark times. Even the supporting cast of Ahana Kumra and Sapna Pabbi does a good job in the unravelling of the story.

Bombers tries to add character and depth to the story by exploring subplots of different characters, but fails as they all seem unbaked and hollow. The six-episode series is short, but seems to go on forever due to the sluggish pace of the plot. Because of this, even if the series ends on an interesting cliffhanger promising an upcoming season finale, viewers are left dissatisfied. Bombers talks a big game, but fails to deliver on it. Bombers could be much more than what it is right now.