With Lockdown 4.0 we all are looking out for new web series to binge on. OTT platforms like ZEE5 do have plenty of content to watch, the recently REJCTX 2 went on air. I recently watched it and sharing my take here. Read on to find if you should watch it or give a miss.
I must say I wasn’t a fan of season 1. While I did like the concept of teen drama set up in an elite school, yet thought the makers could have done much better. The season tried to showcase some socially sensitive topics like bullying, gender fluidity, fat-shaming, dysfunctional family, illegitimate teacher-student relationships, etc. When season 2 came up I haven’t heard many reviews and gave a shot to watch it. This season promised to be bolder, darker. It didn’t disappoint entirely! There were scenes that were little over the top but it was entertaining if one does like suspense mystery in teen dramas.
The second instalment of the show REJCTX 2 starts from the cliff-hanger end of the previous one. Yes, you have to watch season 1 or you can choose to watch a quick recap. Watching the series alone would make you wonder about the chemistry and past flashbacks.
Aarav, portrayed by Ahmed Masi Wali tries to shoot his father but later gets away with a wound in the arm. Being taunted as loser Aarav returns to school for the new semester. Aarav and Kiara (played by Anisha Victor) start dating. Mystery, accusations surround Aarav and his friends. Enters hard-nosed cop Rene, played by Esha Gupta to investigate the murder that seems like suicide death of Anushka, Kurba Sait. Things get complicated when Aarav’s doppelganger, Jackie gets into the picture, an older, plump version. Further, all the members of Rejctx are blackmailed by Mr. X, an anonymous person, for ulterior motives.
Believing that the REJCTXare spoilt rich privileged kids and Aarav is related to the said murder, officer Rene keeps finding faults in them. Meanwhile, Rene also faces indifference at her workplace for being an Indian woman, she takes the Anushka death case to prove her worth. The performance of Esha Gupta and Tanvi Shinde as Yesha adds life to the web series. Both are a fresh addition to the show and do shoulder the burden. The talent of Sumit Vyas was underutilized, an anxious principal who helps his students. His screen presence is minimal in this season.
Goldie Behl, the maker of the show did try to upgrade the story more than just a desi Riverdale with Pretty Little Liar. There were good elements of suspense hanging in air, audience pondering who is Mr X, a friendship that stands together against adversity. The plot does try to keep the audience hooked.
With REJCTX being a music band who are about to land on a music deal, the music produced by Ankur Tewari and Ashutosh Phatak was ought to be the highlight of the season. The songs show efforts taken but sadly forgettable. I would have loved to listen to more hummable songs.
Wavering between a gripping story improved acting, and spiral down background score, the set design is eye-catching. The make-out scenes keep popping in random situations and pull the worth of web series down. The creative choice on parallel narration is a saviour here.
Confession I bitterly missed one of the teen drama romance shows of Indian television. Coincidentally, it was also produced by Goldie Behl, an elite school of rich kids.
REJCTX 2 is can give viewers heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation, and anxiety. If you are looking for something that is an edge of the seat thriller in a teen drama, and hot romance, watch this.
Rating: 3 stars upon 5.
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Interesting. It’s good to see so many emerging platforms for so many different variety of stories.
I had taken a subscription in Zee5 platform, solely to watch Kaafir. It was a touching emotional tale. Then I went on and watched CodeM, which reminded me of the movie Shaurya so much.. Then the series on Sunny Leone’s life was interesting.. Then I didn’t find anything of choice.. So I left it at that.. May be a few months later I would take that once again and explore..
Kaafir was gripping series. I enjoyed the way it tried to tell a message. With OTT platforms we are quite spoiled for choices.
This series has some great artists whose acting skills are nice. I would watch this series for sure over the OTT platform today or maybe tomm. The plot looks interesting as well.
🙂
There are very few Indian thillers that excite me, however, I will check a few episodes if that interests me, will continue to binge watch then. Thanks for sharing your honest review
I agree there are handful of thrillers that keep audience glued.
This looks like a good series to watch. Zee5 has come up with so many good series during this time. I like their platform.
Agree 🙂
Trust me the plot and storyline interests me a lot to give it a watch and I will surely start this series on ZEE 5
🙂 Happy bingeing Ruchi.
I like suspense shows. This seems an interesting one. I will check it out. It’s great Zee5 has some amazing range of shows to keep us entertained.
Yes OTT platforms like ZEE5 are on rage.
Thanks for sharing this review, Pragnya. A friend suggested this series to me since I enjoy watching mystery thriller but I avoided it since it’s a teen drama. But after reading your detailed review, I am thinking to watch it now.
If you really like teen drama, go for it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I would surely like to watch this series and for that matter its early part also. It seems like I have missed watching this series on Zee5. Goldie Behl is a fine director so it makes the series even more promising.
Goldie Behl does have the talent to think out of the box and explore.
Interesting! However, I think it’s targetted at 20-somethings. Topics like “rich spoilt kid wrongly framed for murder” sound attractive to them. Please correct me if I am wrong. It’s a great review that you’ve written. Sharp and crisp!
Teen drama does aim for youth mass, still is the same.
I love the way you review books and shows it’s crisp and honest. The Zee5 has a wide range of movies, web series and shows for all age group. Recently subscribed it and would definitely watch this series.
Even am yet to explore the content of the OTT platform. This was the second one I binged on.
The review is really very well portrayed. Have been watching the ads on fbs. They seem quite good.
🙂
Zee5 has so many good series and movies in regional Languages well as English, that too with good rating. Then I think I can give this one a miss or may be watch this once I am done watching everything else.
Binge well Ujjwal 😉
It has been years I saw teen drama and romance. Seeing this series would be considered for later in list. Shall suggest other friends who like teen romance
Yes, it’s for a target audience.
ZEE5 has a good selection of web series to.watch.REJECTX2 looks like a different kind of show.Teen drama and a murder thrown in.Will check it out .
Happy watching.
After reading your review I’m thinking of giving this a pass. The overuse of makeout scenes really puts me off and the plot seems to have too many twists to hold my attention.
Trust me Varsha, it pulled down the quality. Like I mentioned in post.
I am honestly just intrigued reading your review. Will surely be binging on season 1 & 2 both from this weekend. Great review as usual.
🙂 thanks Rajshree
I love watching thriller dramas. Rejctx 2 sounds like a binge watch with crisp plot and performance. Indeed Zee5 is offering non stop entertainment in this lockdown
Zee5 do have content for all audience.
This seems quite interesting. I haven’t watched the first or second season but after reading this review, I am definitely going to binge-watch these. ZEE5 has a vast collection of such fabulous dramas and series to watch.
Oh yes! ZEE5 OTT platform do have huge content to binge on.
This sounds like a one time watch buddy on a day I just want to do nothing and binge watch. I like the way you review books and shows, very honest and crisp.
Thank you for your kind words Roma
This seems to be an interesting show for me especially because I love women oriented shows and movies. Ive seen more than enough of heros 😄
Oh yes, we need more shows with strong female lead. Thanks for dropping by.
Looks like, I have a lot to catch up on Zee5. Waiting for it to start streaming in the USA. Till then I will try to find if can watch it on youtube. Reading about the theme of REJCTX, I think I might like it.
The OTT platform do have some good content, watch them if they stay streaming.
It is very rare for a web series to have a 2nd season hat is better than the 1st. So , Rejctz2 has managed to pique my curiosity. The starcast looks fresh and that’s a bonus as seeing the same faces again and again is so boring!
Thanks for stopping by, M.
I am hearing a lot about this series nowadays and after reading your post got an insight too. Though I prefer to watch light hearted, romantic or comedy series more but for a change would love to give this a try. Loved the way you had reviewed it. It was crisp and honest.
Thanks for stopping by, M.
I really liked the plot of the story. You explained so nicely about the first season as well. I’ll first watch the quick recap of the first season then I will watch season two.
Thanks for such an amazing and honest review. Keep the good work up.
Thanks for stopping by, Richa.