JL 50 Web Series Summary - Explore Science Fiction and Mystery
"JL 50" is an engaging web series that seamlessly combines elements of science fiction and mystery. The story revolves around a plane crash near Kolkata, where two survivors from a flight that vanished 35 years ago are found. Shantanu, portrayed by Abhay Deol, takes on the role of a CBI officer leading the investigation. He unravels a complex narrative involving time travel, with the reappearance of the plane tied to a project centered around time travel theories.
The series delves deep into Shantanu's personal struggles, including his challenging upbringing in an orphanage. As the story unfolds, Shantanu stumbles upon a secretive project known as Project A, connected to lost books containing advanced technology knowledge, including insights into time travel.
The climax of the series takes a dramatic turn when Shantanu, along with Professor Das and Bihu Ghosh, embarks on a journey back in time to prevent the plane's hijacking. This alteration of events not only impacts their lives but also creates an alternate reality where the hijack never occurred. This new timeline results in a happier life for Shantanu, growing up with his birth mother instead of as an orphan.
Originally conceived as a film, "JL 50" was eventually released as a web series due to delays and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ritika Anand, who plays a pivotal role as the pilot, also serves as one of the producers. Her goal was to craft a unique Indian science fiction experience distinct from Western approaches to the genre.
The cinematography by Bradley Stuckel in the web series "JL 50" significantly contributes to the narrative depth and visual appeal. Stuckel's ability to capture the old-world charm of Kolkata, with its narrow bylanes and traditional houses, enhances the series' atmosphere, grounding its sci-fi elements in a relatable and visually engaging context. The use of an ultra-wide aspect ratio by Stuckel creates mesmerizing visuals, immersing viewers in the world of "JL 50" and showcasing his skill in visual storytelling. This approach not only complements the series' investigative thriller aspect but also adds an authentic, visually captivating layer to the story. Stuckel's work in "JL 50" stands as a testament to his cinematography prowess, playing a pivotal role in the series' success and storytelling excellence.
For more in-depth insights into Bradley Stuckel's work in "JL 50," you can refer to the following sources:
Director and Original Story Writer: Shailender Vyas
Producers: Ritika Anand, Abhayanand Singh, Piyush Singh, Shailender Vyas, Bob Gaider, Yasmin Gaider
Additional Producers: Devendra Gandhi (Executive Producer), Hrushikesh Joshi (Co-Executive Producer), Hrishikesh Dilip Patil, Bhushan Rao, J.B. Shah, Miten Shah, Deepti Singh, Manish Pal Singh
Cinematography: Bradley Stuckel
Music Director: Aseem Trivedi
Editing: Sushant Mishra, Shailender Vyas
Art Direction: Tanmoy Chatterjee
Costume Design: Anjali Gandhi
Makeup Department: Jessica Parmar (Hair & Make-Up)
Production Management: Devendra Gandhi (Post-Production Supervisor), Santosh Kadam (Production Manager)
Assistant Directors: Raja Chatterjee, Gopal Chowdhury, Atindra Dobikar, Priyanka Kaur Gill, Neeti Jain, Vyotek Jermula, Soumen Karan, Anisha Khera, Ratan Kumar Panda, Gautam Patel (Assistant Directors), Jaimie Stewart (Director's Assistant)
Art Department: Sai Sharma (Multimedia Designer)
Sound Department: Kartik Pangare (Sound Editor), Shishir Sarkar (Foley Mixer), Rakshit Thantry (Re-recording Mixer / Sound Designer)
Visual Effects: Rakhahari Ghosh, Minnaz Rehman (Motion Graphics: Visual Effects), Nitesh Sharma (Visual Effects Supervisor)
"JL 50" is an Indian Hindi-language sci-fi thriller streaming television miniseries. It made its debut on Sony Liv on September 4, 2020. The series was crafted with a vision to establish a unique Indian approach to science fiction, setting it apart from Western conventions in the genre. The narrative seamlessly blends elements of mythology, warfare, history, and science, featuring a time-travel plot central to the storyline.
The series comprises four episodes titled "The Crash," "The Conspiracy," "The Unfolding," and "The Other Plan," all directed and written by Shailender Vyas. The storyline revolves around the mysterious crash of a plane, JL 50, which disappeared 35 years ago but resurfaces in the present, sparking an investigation into time travel theories.
While the series garnered mixed to positive reviews, lauded for its innovative concept and performances, it also faced criticism for certain execution inconsistencies. The production encountered challenges as it was initially conceptualized as a film but adapted into a web series due to delays and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The series is distributed by Sony Pictures on their Sony Liv streaming platform, offering viewers an intriguing journey into the realms of science fiction and mystery.