Kyunki Ekta Kapoor is on audio too

Actor Kubra Sait plays psychologist Zarah Kaul in Aakhri Sawaal: Interviews Before Execution, a fictional exploration of what goes on in the minds of India’s death row inmates

We have to admit, and right at the beginning, that audio is not our most favourite format. We'd rather read than listen to books, and watch instead of consuming audio shows or podcasts. Yet, in the pandemic, with the silence so overbearing, we've found ourselves plugged in, more often than not. Sometimes while on a long stroll, or just before falling asleep. Perhaps, we've begun to like the sound of it. Perhaps, there are many more like us taking a shine to it.

No wonder audio platforms are going all out to woo Indians listeners. Last month, Audible India launched its all-you-can-listen Plus catalogue for members with thousands of free book titles, podcasts and audio shows to choose from. Over 20 titles among these were headlined by some of India's most popular faces from Bollywood and television; not to mention, TV Czarina Ekta Kapoor's audio debut with Darmiyaan. We listened to three of them - a happy mix of crime, comedy and romance drama.

Sanya Malhotra, Varun Sharma and Sriti Jha

Sasural Wonder Phool, starring Sanya Malhotra and Varun Sharma, turned out to be a surprise package. The 10-episode series tells the story of a family that runs a sex clinic in Delhi. The youngest doctor in the family, Prashant (Sharma), who for the longest time has had a difficulty finding a bride for himself - because of the family's unusual profession - meets the girl of his dreams, the orthodox Ashima (Malhotra). Unfortunately, his attempts to tell her that he is a sex therapist before marriage come to naught. The drama unfolds when she finds out about her husband's ‘other life'. This is not a laugh riot, but Sharma's comic timing, which is on full display even on audio, coupled with tongue-in-cheek dialogues, a very visual background score, and Sharma's mazboot chemistry with Sanya, makes this the perfect pick-me-up on a not-so-great day. The episodes are well-structured, each attempting to destigmatise and demystify sex, without sounding too preachy or scandalous. This is probably one of the more progressive shows on audio, perfect for an Indian audience that's straddling the traditional and modern in a country that is slowly getting more regressive by the day.

Actor Kubra Sait and Danish Hussain's Aakhri Sawaal: Interviews Before Execution was next on our list. It's a fictional exploration of what goes on in the minds of India's death row inmates. Psychologist Zarah Kaul (Sait) is battling her own demons, while wrapping up her late dad's project, an unfinished book. She interviews convicted murderers, seeking new insight into the crimes they've committed, and at the same time, making sense of her father's unexpected death. This was rather too dark. Some parts of it seemed a bit forced; the dialogues in particular, were a bit of a stretch - at some point, you feel only sympathy for the criminal. In a format, where you have to rely on just sounds to create an experience, sometimes exaggeration is sought - we felt that here. Sait is but the saving grace. She delivers, just like she acts.

Darmiyaan, about a devoted wife's betrayal at the hands of a feckless husband and an unsupportive older generation, has all the good old Ekta Kapoor tropes. But things are no longer as pristine as they were when Tulsi ruled the roost. Laden with the same flavours of erotica that ALT Balaji has dabbled with, the ten-part Darmiyaan sees Sakshi Dewan's (Jha) seemingly happy marriage rocked by the sudden appearance of a graphic sex tape featuring her high-flying news anchor husband. Appalled, Sakshi decides to leave even as ties of marriage and children, and reminders of the impossible ideal of the ‘bharatiya naari' hold her back. She eventually finds love in the younger Ridhaan (Shabir Ahluwalia) and gets her first taste of independence but chooses, like a true Ekta Kapoor leading lady, to ultimately retain her moral high ground. But unsurprising situations, an unreasonably righteous lead and the uber-dramatic sounds effects notwithstanding, Jha is likeable. She makes you root for Sakshi and wish she weren't stuck in a format that just hasn't kept up with the times.

What: Sasural Wonder Phool, Aakhri Sawaal: Interviews Before Execution and Darmiyaan
To listen: Audible App
Free