High Review: A Raw Insight Into The Drugs Underworld

What springs to mind when someone hums “Dum Maro Dum”? A vivid image of individuals adorned in vibrant glasses, enveloped in a haze of euphoria, a “High”, induced by substances that addicts use as a façade to escape the woes of daily life.

In today’s world, drugs transcend mere personal consumption; they represent vast fortunes concealed in small pouches, with traffickers and corrupt entities reaping benefits at the peril of human lives.

Directed by Nikhil Rao and starring Akshay Oberoi and Ranvir Shorey in lead roles, “High” is a compelling Indian web series that talks about the gritty realities of drug abuse as it unravels a system that capitalises on human vulnerability. It situates drug addiction within a socio-economic landscape where power, wealth, and survival intersect. 

We give the series a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5, as we explore in this article its various nuances.

What Makes the High Web Series Stand Out Amongst the Highest Rated Indian Web Series?

The High web series, at its core, is about drugs that sets itself apart from other movies of this genre by tackling an unconventional theme that blends a medical drama with crime thriller elements. 

The narrative of High takes a grounded approach to address the issue of drug abuse and the benefits that the drug mafia yields from the perils of addicts. It presents a layered story where addiction is not just a personal vice but a symptom of larger systemic failures.

Unlike a typical high school web series, which revolves around youthful dilemmas, teenage rivalries or love stories, High dives into adolescence and adult complexities, including rehabilitation, corruption, and pharmaceutical manipulation. The narrative takes on a human-centric approach in dealing with issues surrounding drug abuse, making it different from movies like Udta Punjab that thrive on cliches.

The writers of the High TV show have also been wise in adding some moments that feel uncomfortable and disturbingly real, striking a balance between entertainment and social commentary, and making it a unique story.

Who All Are In The Cast of High Web Series and How Do They Perform?

The High web series comes with a cast that does a brilliant job of bringing the fine print of the script to life on screen.

• Akshay Oberoi plays the role of Shiv Mathur, a well-meaning person fighting addiction while striving for redemption. His portrayal of Shiv’s transformation keeps the audience hooked to their seats throughout the series.
• Ranvir Shorey is cast in the role of Jackson Lakda, a contract killer who operates with quiet intensity rather than fierce violence, creating psychological tension around his character and keeping the stakes of the story high.
• Mrinmayee Godbole plays Ashima Chauhan, a journalist whose investigative lens adds depth to the story as she investigates the drug network, connecting the dots between crime, medicine, and power.
• Shweta Basu portrays her namesake character, Dr Shweta, a member of the medical team working on the revolutionary drug. Her role explores the ethical dilemma of ambition versus science.
• Prakash Belawadi plays the role of Dr Shridhar Rao, who is the mastermind behind the “Magic” drug. His character represents people who use power and intellect to justify morally grey decisions.
• Other cast members include the names of Nakul Bhalla (as Dr Nakul), Madhur Mittal (as Jimmy), and Mantra (as DJ). 

Each character in the cast of High is a representation of the various factions of the system, addiction, medicine, crime, and media, that collide to give the series its layered, gritty texture.

How Does the High Web Series Trailer Reflect the Tone of the High TV Show?

The High web series trailer is an excellent example of how a good trailer should be made. It skilfully marks the expectations without giving away any spoilers that might ruin the story for its viewers who come to watch it influenced by its trailer.

The trailer gives viewers a kaleidoscopic view of what they shall see in the series, amidst a sense of chaos, the internal struggles of the characters, and the larger conspiracy that slowly comes to light as the story unfolds.

What really grabs the attention in the trailer, though, is its tone, which is dark, intense, and unsettling at its core, making the viewers ready for a dark story set in the gory realities of today’s life. It dives deep into the psychological and emotional turmoil of the characters, without including any flashy elements.

The High trailer really gets its viewers ready for a story that values depth over speed, making it a refreshing addition to the world of highly rated web series.

What Are the Key Details Of High Web Series?

Much like you, dear readers, we too belong to the category of hasty OTT-viewers and cinephiles, who come scavenging these articles for some of the most essential details of the series.

So, here we provide you with the essential details every viewer should know about the Amazon MX Player High Web Series:

• High web series release date: The web series was released on an OTT platform on October 7, 2020.
• OTT platform: The series was originally released on MX Player, which has now integrated with Amazon to make Amazon MX Player integration.
• High web series total episodes: The series has a total of 9 episodes in Season 1; each episode ranges between 28 and 40 minutes.
• Genre: The series belongs to the genres of Crime, Drama, and Thriller.
• Language: The series is originally in Hindi but is also dubbed in Tamil and Telugu.

Why Do We Give The High Web Series 3.5 Stars Out of 5 In This High Review?

In our house, we watched and reviewed the High series and chose to give it a 3.5 out of 5-star rating in this High review as a reflection of both its strengths and flaws.

The strengths we see in the series that make us give it the 3.5 stars:

• The entire cast delivers really strong performances and help weave a tight-knit narrative for the story.
• The web series presents a unique premise through its storyline that blends addiction with crime and undermines the drug underworld with the kind of gore that exists in the real world.
• The quality of the OTT show is top-notch, especially for one produced with a moderate budget.

The flaws we see in the series that stop us from giving it a perfect score: 

• The pacing in some parts of the latter episodes is inconsistent and slow.
• Some subplots are left without being poached with the kind of depth and resolution that they required. 
• Even though the series in general is unique at its core, some twists and turns are way too predictable.

Is High Web Series worth your time?

We’ll be honest with you, “High” is NOT your typical binge-worthy thriller. In its essence, it is unique, but it’s also a slow, immersive dive into a world that is as disturbing as it is fascinating. The series dares to explore uncomfortable truths about our society, tackling the increasing issue of addiction and the systems that sustain it instead of curbing it, making it a meaningful watch.

It’s a series that comes with certain flaws, like an inconsistent pace and faltering narrative. But, we assure you, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses. The performances, particularly by Akshay Oberoi and Ranvir Shorey, ensure that the story remains engaging throughout the course of 9 episodes.

At Inside Box Office, we believe that High, as a web series, makes a brilliant attempt at using motion media to raise some necessary awareness and is definitely worthy of your time, especially if you love reality-based and layered narratives.

After you watch the series on your next day off from work, we hope to see you come back here as we burn the midnight oil in the meantime to review some more movies and series for you to watch next.