Obtaining a confirmed ticket on Indian Railways is a significant achievement in itself, and the situation becomes even more intriguing when it comes to Tatkal tickets. Even a small delay can lead to losing a ticket. The series 'Waiting Hai' attempts to turn this everyday problem into a crime drama.
This seven-episode project, set in Patna, tells a story of a supposed game involving Tatkal tickets, technology, and greed. The author finds the idea of the series, broadcast on MX Player, very interesting because it combines humor, emotion, and suspense, but weak and inconsistent prose becomes its main problem. Often it seems that the plot is building up to something grand, but then suddenly veers off in another direction.
The central figure of the story is Sugam Mishra (Divyendu Sharma), who recently became an RPF constable. Besides his job, he balances a new family life and household responsibilities, without forgetting his father's memory and hopes. While performing his duties, he notices an unusual pattern: ordinary people struggle for Tatkal tickets, while some agents obtain them with surprising ease.
Sugam finds this situation suspicious and begins an investigation to get to the bottom of it. His path leads him to Afroz Hamse (Bhuvan Arora), a computer-savvy individual who finds a way to hack the railway ticket sales system. Initially, his motives are small, but the attempt to impress a girl, and subsequently her humiliation, changes his decisions. After this, his uncle (Vijay Maurya) shows him how to make money using his skills, and soon Afroz becomes part of a large ticket scheme.
A strength of 'Waiting Hai' is that it is not just a story of police versus criminals. Both Sugam and Afroz are fighting their own circumstances. Sugam strives to act honestly within the system but realizes that finding a balance between honesty at work and systemic pressure is difficult. On the other hand, Afroz is a young man who initially uses his talent for a small need but gradually falls into the trap of money and greed.
Bhuvan Arora is convincing as Afroz; the changes in his character seem organic. Divyendu Sharma portrays Sugam as an ordinary, slightly anxious policeman who doesn't have answers to all questions, which adds more humanity to his character. Furthermore, the series brings to mind 'Mirzapur' due to the participation of Harshita Gor as Divyendu's wife, and Sunita Rajwar as his mother. Harshita was previously known to viewers for her role as Dimple, Guddu Pandit's sister in 'Mirzapur', and Divyendu himself became known for his role as Munna Tripathi in the same series.
'Waiting Hai' does not limit Harshita's image to the role of a housewife; she is given her own space and presence, which lends an emotional tone to the domestic scenes.
With a strong idea, the prose does not always match the level. The scandal of Tatkal tickets itself is a sufficiently engaging topic that did not require excessive complication. However, the series periodically takes plotlines that seem disconnected from the main story. Many scenes resemble individual sketches for social media rather than part of the narrative. The abrupt transition from a serious emotional scene to lighthearted comedy is also sometimes irritating. Although the first episodes require time, the story gains momentum in subsequent episodes. As Sugam's investigation progresses and Afroz's character transforms in the series, the expected tension emerges.
'Waiting Hai' is not a perfect fraud thriller, but its premise is quite captivating. The issue of Tatkal tickets is a difficulty often faced by the middle class, and linking it to the world of crime is an interesting experiment. Divyendu Sharma and Bhuvan Arora are trustworthy in their roles, and viewers can enjoy some good moments filled with humor, emotion, and suspense. The main problem is that the plot sometimes goes off track. With a tighter script, 'Waiting Hai' could have been a magnificent fraud drama. At present, it is a worthy, interesting, but unfinished potential.