Sony LIV’s crime thriller Black White and Gray - Love Kills has truly shaken up the Indian OTT scene by daring to adopt a mockumentary style—a format rarely explored in India’s streaming space. Creator-producer Hemal A Thakkar, in an insightful interview with India Today Digital, shared how this bold choice came to be, crediting co-producer Pushkar Sunil Mahabal for sparking the idea after immersing himself in documentaries.
What’s remarkable is how the entire project took shape during the pandemic through Zoom calls and phone conversations, turning a challenging period into one of creative focus and momentum. The result is a show that thrives in moral ambiguity, reflecting the real world’s complex and often contradictory human nature rather than clear-cut heroes or villains.
Set against a chilling serial killing case in 2020 Nagpur, the series digs deep into human flaws and contradictions. Thakkar highlighted how Pushkar’s sharp, sometimes cynical writing was key in crafting deeply flawed yet authentic characters, portraying the ‘grey’ humanity everyone carries within. This theme of moral complexity resonates strongly throughout the narrative, inviting viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves.
The mockumentary format isn’t just a gimmick but a deliberate storytelling tool that mirrors modern media’s fragmented, biased consumption of truth. By blurring lines between fiction and reality and showing multiple perspectives shaped by ego and emotion, the series immerses viewers in the same confusion the characters endure. This approach makes the narrative richer and more layered, challenging viewers to question their own biases and how they form opinions—often without realizing it.
In an OTT landscape dominated by glossy romances and formulaic thrillers, Black White and Gray stands out by refusing easy answers and instead offering culturally relevant, thoughtful storytelling that respects and engages its Indian audience. Thakkar emphasized that Indian viewers are not just seeking novelty but meaningful narratives that provoke thought and reflection.
Ultimately, Black White and Gray - Love Kills is not just a crime thriller but a mirror held up to society, urging viewers to rethink their perceptions of truth, bias, and morality—making it a groundbreaking and much-needed addition to Indian digital content.
