‘Ajeeb Daastaans’ review: Netflix anthology fails to break new ground, but is an earnest attempt

The Karan Johar-produced film does best when its ensemble cast rises to the occasion, emoting authentically on screen, the frustrations of their characters

For an anthology aiming to juxtapose a series of contrasting stories in a bid to create a thematically cohesive narrative, Netflix’s Ajeeb Daastaans is earnest, if not flawless. Essentially a heady concoction of bizarre tales as told by four different filmmakers, the film blends unique cinematic styles with awkward social scenarios, giving rise to a few genuinely engaging moments. . With a short feature each from directors Shashank Khaitan, Raj Mehta, Neeraj Ghaywan and Kayoze Irani, this Karan Johar-backed production meticulously actualises on screen, a world that is similar to our own that is still deceptively surreal, masking the film’s morally-charged rhetoric with authentic cinematic conflict.