The Trial revolves around the personal and professional challenges faced by Noyonika Sengupta (played by Kajol), a homemaker married to Additional Judge Rajiv Sengupta (Jisshu Sengupta). Their lives take a dramatic turn when it is revealed that Rajiv had an encounter with an escort named Tina, resulting in an intimate video clip that goes viral on news channels and social media.
Rajiv is not only accused of bribery but also gets arrested, leading to the freezing of the Sengupta family’s assets. Forced to downsize, Noyonika and her daughters move to a smaller rented house. She is compelled to revive her career in law and is offered a junior lawyer position at Ahuja Khanna Choubey & Associates (AKC Associates), a law firm run by Vishal Choubey (Alyy Khan), Noyonika’s former flame, along with Malini Khanna (Sheeba Chaddha) and Kishore Ahuja (Kiran Kumar).
However, Malini harbors reservations towards Noyonika, believing that she secured the job based on her relationship with Vishal rather than her merit. Alongside Noyonika, Dheeraj Paswan (Gaurav Pandey) also joins the firm as a junior lawyer, and both of them are placed on probation for six months, with only one of them earning a permanent position at AKC Associates.
As Noyonika navigates her new workplace, she must also face allegations and public scrutiny due to her husband’s scandalous video. The show delves into how she confronts these challenges and strives to protect her daughters’ hope amidst adversity.
THE TRIAL is a web series adapted from the American show The Good Wife, with its first season consisting of 23 episodes, while THE TRIAL comprises only 8 episodes. Each episode revolves around Noyonika’s legal battles as she strives to win cases.
The writers (Abbas Dalal, Hussain Dalal, and Siddharth Kumar) have effectively Indianized the narrative, and although most of the cases are not taken from the original series, the screenplay remains engaging. The writing keeps the viewers invested, and the dialogues, penned by Abbas Dalal, Hussain Dalal, and Siddharth Kumar, are simple yet include a few impactful one-liners.
Suparn S Varma’s direction is decent, maintaining a simple and engrossing narrative. With each episode running for only 35-40 minutes, the pace remains steady. THE TRIAL stands out as more than just a typical courtroom drama—it delves into the story of a family facing a crisis, evoking emotions.
The meticulous research is evident, showcasing the tactics employed by lawyers to secure victories. The track involving a news anchor being sued for defamation stands out as the highlight of the series. Additionally, Noyonika’s complex relationship with her ex-lover adds layers to the plot. The series concludes with an intriguing note, hinting at the possibility of a sequel.
However, the first six episodes lack standout moments. While the plot remains gripping, it fails to overwhelm or elicit tears for the Sengupta family’s struggles. Some of the cases lack the desired impact, particularly the storyline of the deceased music composer, which is the weakest.
The cases involving the deceased cricketer and security guard come across as convenient. The resolution of the HR manager’s extramarital affair track is poorly explained, especially Noyonika’s actions. Lastly, Kishore Ahuja’s sudden decision to leave the firm is hard to digest, especially considering the lack of solid grounds.
Speaking of performances, Kajol delivers a top-notch portrayal, as expected. Her role demanded a powerhouse performer, and she excels in both emotional and dramatic court scenes. Kubbra Sait shines as Sana, portraying her character with flair and justice. Aseem Hattangadi surprises with a natural and commendable performance, making his character quite appealing.
Jisshu Sengupta is decent but gets overshadowed. Alyy Khan leaves a lasting impression, and Sheeba Chaddha delivers a dependable performance. Kiran Kumar’s portrayal is intentionally over the top, suiting his character’s requirements. Gaurav Pandey delivers a splendid performance with powerful dialogue delivery.
Aamir Ali and Rituraj Singh have limited screen time, while other actors such as Shruti Bisht, Suhani Juneja, Aditi Singh, Arjun Kachroo, Suchitra Pillai, Karim Hajee, and Flora Saini also perform well in their respective roles.
Siddharth and Sangeet Haldipur’s music in the opening credits is catchy, and their background score adds a classy touch. Manoj Soni’s cinematography is neat, and Priya Suhas’ production design is praiseworthy, with the courtroom sets appearing authentic. Theia Tekchandaney’s costumes are in line with the characters’ personalities, and Ninad Khanolkar’s editing is appropriate.
Overall, THE TRIAL is worth watching for its performances, storyline, and powerful emotional and dramatic moments.
