Review: In ‘Exam’, tough questions and wishy-washy answers
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The Tamil series Exam on Prime Video poses its knottiest challenge in its very first episode. A Deputy Superintendent of Police is kidnapped before she assumes her new posting, replaced by a woman who looks nothing like her. Viewers must swallow this conceit if they are to persist with the show.
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The imposter, Jhansi (Dushara Vijayan), has reasons for abducting and posing as Maramalli (Aditi Balan). Jhansi is part of an undercover operation run by Jayachandran (Abbas) to get to the root of a widespread scam revolving around entrance tests to prized government jobs.
Over seven episodes, writer-director A Sarkunam reveals the mechanics of both the scam and Jhansi’s investigation. Backed by creative producers Pushkar-Gayatri, Exam derives its suspense not from Maramalli’s kidnapping but from Jhansi’s precarious position.
Jhansi has 10 days to find the mastermind behind dummy candidates, leaked question papers, dubious coaching centres and bribery across government departments. Jhansi is always seconds away from being exposed herself. Although Jayachandran has managed to create a solid cover for Jhansi, the enemy’s eyes and ears are everywhere.
One of the most compelling aspects of the overstretched and predictable series is the suggestion that the solution to the problem lies outside the law. Both the scammer and Jhansi are victims...