Sarvam Shakthi Mayam review: Sanjay Suri, Priyamani and Sameer Soni-starrer fails to impress

This week is a treat for those who do not want to step outside their homes, to avoid the heat, and binge watch something new. There are several films and series releasing across various platforms. One amongst those is Sarvam Shakthi Mayam, starring Sanjay Suri, Priyamani and Sameer Soni, on Zee5. The 10-episode series is about a failed businessman, Madhav Suri (Sanjay Suri) and his dysfunctional family, and an atheist writer (Sameer Soni) on the quest to prove that there is nothing called God. Their paths cross as they embark on a journey to the Ashtha Peethas to understand the meaning of faith and get a better insight into who they really are!

The concept is pretty unique, especially in times when religion and faith have become topics of debate, and a weapon that is being used to incite extreme sentiments. What is God or what is this faith called Hinduism, why are there so many Gods, why do we follow this faith – these are some of the questions that the makers seek to reveal. However, the narrative isn't smooth. The storytelling relies heavily on narration by the characters rather than the dialogues that they share and those are loaded. This feels like a novel rather than a visual treat.

The part that gets more frustrating is that the cinematography is also beautiful. All the 18 places are captured in a mesmerising way, making you want to even visit the places. But, that excitement fizzles out very soon. The narration is drab, and lacks the power to propel the story and keep the interest in the audience alive.

The star cast is in no way anything less than spectacular. You have some powerhouse performers collaborating on the project. And yet, one would see them suffer from mediocrity in this series.

Probably what could be called the weakest aspect in the series is the overtly loud background score. It is mostly chanting that begins to get irritating, solely because it is so loud! When you watch a series on faith and divinity, you expect it to soothe you and help you look inward and understand yourself better, as it does for the protagonists. Here, the background music is totally the opposite.

Sarvam Shakthi Mayam feels like a series packaged in a hurry and just sent out, with zero expectations. The promotion and buzz around this one is almost null and that explains how even the makers did not put faith in their series Watch this one if you have absolutely and  we mean absolutely nothing else to do!