A gritty expose on paper-leak syndicates

“Exam” Webseries

Review

The narrative is set against the backdrop of the high-stakes Regional Public Service Exam (RPSE). The series opens with an emotionally heavy prelude documenting how a tragic loss pushes the protagonist, Jhansi (Dushara Vijayan), onto a path of extreme rebellion.

Backed by Abbas, a cop who helps train her for a high-risk mission, Jhansi targets DSP Maramalli (Aditi Balan), who has just been transferred to a fictional hill station to oversee the upcoming Group 1 examinations.

In a shocking early twist, Jhansi kidnaps Maramalli and keeps her hidden in a secret location. Stepping seamlessly into Maramalli’s uniform, Jhansi impersonates the DSP to infiltrate the department.

Her ultimate objective is to get close to, map out, and dismantle a powerful, multi-layered question paper leak network that threatens to destroy the future of thousands of deserving, underprivileged aspirants.

Director A. Sarkunam, stepping into the gritty prestige-TV format, gets off to a flying start. The first two to three episodes are widely praised for their rapid pacing, world-building, and high-tension atmosphere.

The narrative does an excellent job detailing the exhaustive logistical and security procedures involved in setting up public examinations.

The suspense generated by Jhansi having to constantly dodge exposure while adapting to Maramalli’s professional life keeps the audience hooked.

Carrying the weight of the show as Jhansi, Dushara is competent at maintaining the initial aura of mystery and steeliness. She handles the procedural parts with poise.

As the actual DSP Maramalli, Aditi delivers a steady and grounding performance. Despite her limited physical agency for parts of the narrative due to the kidnapping plotline, her screen presence ensures the stakes remain clear.

Making a notable appearance in a pivotal supporting role, Abbas brings maturity and structural support to the flashback and training sequences.

The series features a vast ensemble including Vasundhara Kashyap, Saravana Sakthi, and Uriyadi Suruli.

The visual design effectively contrasts the serene beauty of the rural landscape with the dark underbelly of systemic crime.

The long-form influence of the creative producers  Pushkar-Gayathri is highly evident in the raw, rooted, and intense aesthetic of the initial world-building.

Each of the seven episodes clocks in at an accessible 35 minutes, which makes the first half a breeze to binge, even if the latter half feels structurally thin.

Rating: 3.5/5

By Naveen

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