Review: “Psycho Saiyaan: Ravi Kishan Shines, But…”

By Shantiswarup Tripathi

• Rating: 1.5 Stars
• Producers: Saurabh Tiwari & Others
• Writers: Saurabh Tiwari, Amitabh Singh Ramkshatra, Ishan Bajpai, Akshay Jhunjhunwala
• Director: Ajay Bhuyan
• Cast: Ravi Kishan, Anud Singh Dhaka, Tejasswi Prakash, Srishti Srivastava, Varun Bhagat, Naveendra Behl, Jagat Rawat, Vijay Srivastava, Kusum Shastri, Bhuvendra Singh, Ashish Bhatt, Anmol Oberoi & Others
• Duration: Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes (6 Episodes)
• OTT Platform: Amazon MX Player

After creating a buzz with several popular TV shows like Sanskar Dharohar Apno Ki, Swarangini, Karn Sangini, Shaadi Ho Toh Aisi, and Naagin 6, there were high expectations surrounding Tejasswi Prakash’s OTT debut. However, Saurabh Tiwari’s web series “Psycho Saiyaan,” streaming on Amazon MX Player since February 25, turns out to be a major disappointment. Tejasswi Prakash fails to leave an impact, and what could have been an engaging romantic thriller ends up as a weak and underwhelming story.

Story 

The narrative primarily unfolds in two cities of Madhya Pradesh—Ujjain and Katni. The sixth episode briefly shifts to Georgia (outside India).

The story begins in Ujjain, where Kartik Pandey (Anud Singh Dhaka), an angry young man with a fondness for poetry, spends his time aimlessly pursuing Ritu instead of working. He cannot tolerate wrongdoing—even from his own uncle.

Meanwhile, Charu Lata (Tejasswi Prakash) arrives in Ujjain from Katni with security guards to visit Mahakal Temple. While showing her around, Kartik falls obsessively in love with her. Charu advises him to stay away, but for Kartik, love is not ordinary—it is epic, all-consuming, and absolute. As his obsession deepens, he follows her to Katni.

Charu is entangled with gangster and influential politician Ankit Chauhan, aka Hunty Chauhan (Ravi Kishan). Hunty wants to divorce his wife Ratna (Ashwini Kalsekar) and marry Charu. Charu and Hunty share a physical relationship, and whenever Hunty desires, Charu is compelled to comply.

To stay close to Charu, Kartik takes up a job caring for Hunty’s dog. He secretly watches Hunty and Charu’s intimate moments from behind doors. Yet, despite witnessing everything, Kartik does not grow hateful—his obsession convinces him that one day he will take Charu away to Ujjain.

Charu exploits Kartik’s blind love to eliminate obstacles in her path, as she is playing a much deeper game. Hunty’s mansion becomes a stage for sex and murder. Eventually, Kartik lands in jail on murder charges. Charu coldly reveals that she merely used him and plans to flee abroad with 150 crore rupees while he rots in prison.

At this point, Kartik’s first love Ritu (Srishti Srivastava) makes a strategic move, bringing a twist to the story. Whom Kartik ultimately ends up with can only be known by watching the series.

Review

Beneath its romantic façade, the series attempts to comment on uncontrolled emotions and the seductive nature of control. It repeatedly raises the question: “When does love stop being selfless and become selfish?”
In one striking dialogue, Charu asks Kartik, “Can’t you help a girl without sleeping with her?”—a line that raises several thought-provoking questions.
However, weak writing and Ajay Bhuyan’s immature direction severely damage the series. The pacing is painfully slow. Instead of building tension gradually, scenes shift abruptly, diluting the impact of crucial moments. Where thrill should intensify, the narrative feels rushed and confusing, leaving viewers indifferent rather than intrigued.

The story tries to juggle multiple elements—backstories, psychological tension, shocking twists—but fails to weave them together cohesively. Ritu’s character is poorly written. Charu lacks psychological depth and mystery. The writers and director seem unsure about Kartik’s character arc.
In Ujjain, Kartik is portrayed as short-tempered and poetic, yet once he reaches Katni in the second episode, his personality shifts abruptly. A man who once couldn’t tolerate his uncle’s words now passively endures Hunty and his henchmen. He even watches his beloved being treated as a mere object without reacting in anger—an unrealistic and confusing transformation.

The series stretches unnecessarily across five episodes and then hurriedly wraps up in the sixth with additional subplots, leaving viewers disengaged. Ishan Bajpai’s dialogues occasionally feel overly filmy and exaggerated.

Performances

Ravi Kishan is outstanding as Hunty Chauhan. He brings gravity and unpredictability to the role, often shifting the power dynamic with just a glance. His portrayal of a man who revels in control adds menace and depth to the story. Whenever he appears on screen, the series feels sharper and more confident.

Tejasswi Prakash disappoints as Charu Lata, though she delivers a few composed moments in certain scenes. Anud Singh Dhaka struggles to convince as a psychotic lover and appears more confused than dangerous.

Srishti Srivastava leaves a mark despite her brief role, though her character deserved better writing. Surbhi Chandna, Varun Bhagat, and Ashwini Kalsekar deliver average performances.