In the ever-expanding landscape of Bengali OTT content, Mandaar arrived with significant hype. Released on Hoichoi in 2021, the series is a bold, modern-day retelling of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Macbeth . Created by Anirban Bhattacharya (who also plays the title role), the show attempts to transplant the Scottish Play’s bloody ambition and supernatural dread into the fishing harbours and political underbelly of coastal Bengal.
Aside from the leads and a few exceptions (like Debesh Roy Chowdhury as the King), many of the side characters are forgettable. The three "witches" are portrayed as physically disabled women, which sparked some controversy for potentially leaning into the "evil cripple" trope without fully developing their mystical purpose. Final Verdict: Should You Watch It? Yes, but with tempered expectations. mandaar bengali web series
Anirban, who also wrote the screenplay, is mesmerizing. His Mandaar is not a heroic figure; he is a brutish, simple man who is gradually consumed by anxiety. Watch his eyes as guilt starts to eat him alive—especially in the famous "Banquo’s ghost" sequence. He captures the physicality of a thug and the fragility of a man haunted by his deeds. In the ever-expanding landscape of Bengali OTT content,