Jaideep Ahalawat in Pataal Lok S2
Why Paatal Lok 2 feels so real: Jaideep Ahlawat and Sudip Sharma on breaking the Bollywood cop trope
Played brilliantly by Jaideep Ahlawat, Hathiram is a weary, flawed in this hit series
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4 MIN READ
Jaideep Ahlawat returns as the Delhi cop Hathi Ram Chaudhary in 'Paatal Lok S2'
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Dubai: The hit cop web series Paatal Lok is a stark departure from the gym-sculpted, one-liner-spouting supercops that Bollywood has long championed.
Here, the protagonist, Hathiram Chaudhary, gasps for breath as he chases down a suspect—burdened by both age and the weight of his job.
Played brilliantly by Jaideep Ahlawat, Hathiram is a weary, flawed officer trapped in a corrupt system. In one particularly emotional scene, he appears shattered when his partner, Ansari, dies in the line of duty. Yet, without shedding a tear, he conveys his grief with remarkable restraint—delivering a near-masterclass in subtle acting.
Actor Jaideep Ahlawat, who brings an incredible depth to Hathiram’s character, and writer Sudip Sharma, the creative force behind the series, sat down with Gulf News to discuss their approach, the challenges of crafting a compelling second season, and the evolving landscape of Indian web series. Here’s an in-depth conversation on the making of Paatal Lok Season 2, streaming on Prime Video now ...
Paatal Lok Season 2 is one of the best series I’ve watched this year. You built an immersive world while staying true to the original template. Are you happy with the reception?
Sudip: Oh yes, we really couldn’t have asked for more. When we were making Season 2, we were aware of the artificial pressure that comes with a successful first season. There’s this expectation that you have to match up to it, if not surpass it. We tried not to take that pressure, but, of course, some of it lingers. It floats around on set, in the editing room. But the reception has been fantastic—both critically and from regular audiences. A lot of credit goes to this man on screen (Jaideep) for doing what he does so well.
Jaideep, memes about you are everywhere—does that feel like validation?
Jaideep: I think we all did a great job, collectively. No actor can achieve this alone. It’s about amazing writing, an amazing team, and the energy and love everyone brought to the script. I’m just happy to be part of it.
The show came at a time when Hindi-language films and series seemed to be struggling. Did you feel pressure?
Sudip: Not really. In this business, nobody knows anything. What I’m really proud of is that we didn’t bask in the glory of the first season. We started fresh, with the same energy and passion. All of us—Jaideep, the cast, the entire crew—treated it like a new project and gave it our all.
Jaideep, did you ever feel disillusioned by the industry?
I’ve always felt lucky to get this role. People say second seasons don’t work, but I said, “Let’s break the spell.” The first reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and that was a great relief.
The Northeast is a tricky terrain to portray. Were you conscious about authenticity?
Sudip: Absolutely. I don’t like the word ‘representation’ because it feels condescending, like we’re doing someone a favor. We weren’t ‘representing’ them; we were telling their story with honesty, just as we told Hathiram’s. Being from Assam, I never saw the Northeast through an exoticized lens. Nagaland, in particular, is full of pride and resilience, and we wanted to reflect that truthfully.
A still from Patal Lok season 2
Jaideep, there’s a powerful moment where you break down after Ansari’s death but don’t cry. How did you approach that?
That was all in Sudip’s writing. Sometimes emotions take over, but he kept me in check. The bottled-up grief drives the next few episodes. We shot that scene at Dimapur Airport, and after the first take, I saw Sudip coming toward me, and I just knew—he wanted more restraint. That made it more powerful.
Sudip: If he had cried in that moment, it would have taken away from his emotional arc. That bottled-up grief is what fuels his journey back to Nagaland.
The five-year gap between seasons—was it hard to get back into character?
Not really. The moment I read the script, I was back in that world. I revisited a few moments from Season 1, especially Hathiram’s relationship with his son, to ensure emotional continuity. But he has aged—he’s heavier, more tired, more at peace with being ordinary. That helped shape his new journey.
Sudip, Bollywood cops are usually loud and heroic. Was it intentional to avoid that trope?
Absolutely. Bollywood tends to depict cops as either heroes or caricatures. In reality, police forces suffer from high rates of hypertension and diabetes. They work long hours under immense pressure. Hathiram is an everyday man who just wants to uncover the truth. If we made him a typical Bollywood supercop, we’d lose what makes him special.
Jaideep, you even let go of fitness for this role. At some point, I felt I may have more stamina ...
Jaideep: (Laughs) Yes! When I first got the script for Season 1, I was in great shape. Sudip saw me and nearly had a heart attack! I told him, “Don’t worry, give me three months. I’ll be at my unhealthy best.”
After the Northeast, where does Hathiram go next?
Europe!
You just want a vacation, don’t you?
(Laughs) Maybe!
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