‘Aashram’: An Epic of a Saint’s Hypocrisy – A Unique Saga of Bobby Deol’s Journey (Season 1 to Upcoming)
Few web series in the Indian OTT landscape have generated as much debate, controversy, and immense popularity as ‘Aashram’. Directed by Prakash Jha and streamed on MX Player, this series has proven to be a milestone in actor Bobby Deol’s career, who has brought to life the character of ‘Kashipur Waale Baba Nirala’, evoking fear, curiosity, and disgust in the minds of the audience. ‘Aashram’ is not just a story; it’s a mirror to a bitter truth of society where the thin line between faith and hypocrisy blurs. Let’s take a detailed look at the journey of this extraordinary web series so far, its central characters, controversies, and expectations for the upcoming seasons.
The Foundation of ‘Aashram’: The Rise of a Notorious Baba (Season 1)
The first season of ‘Aashram’, titled ‘Ek Badnaam Aashram: Chapter 1 – Pran Pratishtha’, was released on MX Player on August 28, 2020. This season came as a shock to viewers as it introduced them to the world of a spiritual guru who, on the surface, appears to be a savior of the people, but internally weaves a deep web of corruption, sexual exploitation, and crime.
The story begins with Pammi (Aaditi Pohankar), a Dalit wrestler who faces caste discrimination in society. When her family receives help from Baba Nirala after an accident, she and her family become deeply devoted to the Baba. Pammi, who wants to pursue a career in wrestling, moves into Baba’s ashram. It is here that the dark truth of Baba’s hypocrisy and his empire slowly begins to unfold.
Bobby Deol completely transformed his identity in the character of Baba Nirala. His calm, charming, and cunning demeanor breathes life into the character of a hypocritical baba who uses his image to control his devotees. Chandan Roy Sanyal plays the role of Bhopa Singh, Baba’s loyal and cruel right-hand man, who executes all of Baba’s dark deeds. It is in this season that the horrifying beginning of Baba’s political connections, drug trafficking, and exploitation of women is shown. The first season shook the audience and laid the foundation for a powerful story.
‘The Dark Side’: Baba’s Expanding Empire (Season 2)
Following the tremendous success of the first season, ‘Aashram Chapter 2: The Dark Side’ was released on November 11, 2020. This season unravels the deeper layers of Baba Nirala’s growing influence and his crimes. Baba is no longer just a spiritual guru but has become a powerful kingmaker, with politicians dancing to his tunes. His ashram transforms into an impenetrable fortress where all kinds of crimes occur under the guise of ‘Jaapnaam’.
In this season, the struggle of Pammi and her brother deepens. Pammi, who becomes a victim of exploitation at Baba’s hands, tries to escape his clutches. Meanwhile, Inspector Ujagar Singh (Darshan Kumaar) and journalist Akhara Singh (Adhyayan Suman) try to gather evidence against Baba. The character of Babita (Tridha Choudhury) also becomes significant, as she falls into Baba’s trap and turns into a pawn.
Bobby Deol masterfully portrayed Baba’s arrogance and intoxication of power in this season. His character becomes even darker and more controlled, clearly showing his cunningness and cruelty. Season 2 expanded the scope of ‘Aashram’, showcasing a complex nexus of politics, religion, and crime that kept the audience glued to their seats.
‘Intricate Moves and Vengeful Fire’: The Climax of Conflict (Season 3)
The third season of ‘Aashram’, titled ‘Ek Badnaam Aashram: Chapter 3 – Gehri Chaalein’ (Intricate Moves), arrived on MX Player on June 3, 2022. This season is filled with conflict and a desire for revenge. Baba Nirala’s empire is now at its peak, and he has begun to consider himself a god. His power seems limitless, but the number of his opponents is also growing.
In this season, the character of Pammi Pahalwan completely transforms. She is no longer a weak victim but has become an empowered woman determined to take revenge on Baba. She tries every possible way to expose Baba. Ujagar Singh also gathers more evidence to strengthen his case against Baba. A new significant character also joins the story, causing turmoil in Baba’s empire.
Bobby Deol brought even more depth to his role as Baba Nirala. Now, he is not just a hypocritical baba, but a person consumed by the intoxication of power who can stoop to any level. The confidence and cruelty visible in his eyes make the audience realize the horror of his character. The third season further expanded on Baba’s drug trafficking, his political ambitions, and the alliance forming against him. This season ends with many questions, raising anticipation for the upcoming season.
The ‘Aashram’ of Controversies
The ‘Aashram’ web series has been embroiled in controversies since its inception. Several organizations and individuals have accused it of hurting religious sentiments, claiming that it negatively portrays Hindu saints and ashrams. Some have suggested it is inspired by the life of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insaan, who was convicted in cases of sexual assault and murder.
Due to these controversies, protests and legal complaints were filed multiple times. During the shooting of the series in Madhya Pradesh, Bajrang Dal activists also vandalized the sets, disrupting the shoot. Despite these controversies, ‘Aashram’ has garnered immense viewership, making it one of MX Player’s most successful web series. Prakash Jha has always maintained that the series is fictional and aims to expose hypocrisy in the name of faith, not to target any particular religion or individual. The controversies, in a way, further publicized the series, keeping it a topic of discussion among viewers.
Bobby Deol’s ‘Baba Nirala’ Transformation
The ‘Aashram’ web series has proven to be a turning point for Bobby Deol’s career. There was a time when Bobby Deol was struggling in his film career. The character of Baba Nirala in ‘Aashram’ proved to be a game-changer for him. He played this grey-shaded character with such ease and depth that the audience was stunned. The cunningness in his eyes, a permanent mysterious smile on his face, and his body language, all combined to make Baba Nirala an unforgettable antagonist.
Bobby Deol himself has admitted that this was one of the most challenging roles of his career. This role not only gave him an opportunity to showcase his versatility as an actor but also gave him a strong identity on the OTT platform. Before ‘Aashram’, Bobby Deol was often seen as a romantic and action hero, but Baba Nirala presented him in a new avatar that the audience thoroughly enjoyed. His fees for this series have also been a topic of much discussion, which is a testament to his growing stardom.
The Future of ‘Aashram’: Expectations for the Upcoming Season
‘Aashram’ fans are eagerly awaiting its upcoming season. According to reports, ‘Aashram 4’ (which may also be titled ‘Ek Badnaam Aashram: Chapter 4’) is expected to be released in 2025. However, no official release date has been announced yet.
At the end of the third season, Pammi and Ujagar Singh had begun to tighten their net around Baba. Baba continues to grow stronger, believing himself to be above the law, but he has also made many enemies, including Chief Minister Hukam Singh, whom Baba helped come to power.
The upcoming season is expected to mark the beginning of Baba Nirala’s downfall. Pammi’s revenge could reach its climax, and Ujagar Singh might get his hands on crucial evidence against Baba that could expose him. Additionally, internal conflicts within Baba’s empire and his new adversaries could bring more twists to the story. Viewers are eager to see if Baba Nirala’s ‘Swarg Lok’ will finally crumble, or if he will once again manage to escape with his cunningness and power.
It is also being speculated that ‘Aashram 5′ might also be released in 2025, indicating the continuity of this series’ future. Prakash Jha’s ambitious project has secured a significant place in the Indian web series landscape, and it continues to captivate audiences with its story and characters.
Conclusion
‘Aashram’ is a web series that has boldly addressed a sensitive issue in Indian society – superstition and exploitation in the name of faith. Bobby Deol has portrayed Baba Nirala in a way that leaves a profound impact on the audience. Each season of the series has unveiled the layers of Baba’s empire, showcasing a terrifying game of crime, politics, sexual exploitation, and power.
Whether it has been embroiled in controversies or subjected to criticism, ‘Aashram’ has forced viewers to think and initiated an important dialogue. Its impactful performances, especially Bobby Deol’s, and Prakash Jha’s skilled direction have made it a series that cannot be overlooked in Indian OTT content. As we await the upcoming seasons, the story of ‘Aashram’ will undoubtedly bring more twists, turns, and shocking revelations, making its ‘notorious’ title even more meaningful.
