Based on BBC's original series One of Us,[1] it premiered on 14 April 2022 on ZEE5.[2] The series was simultaneously dubbed and released in Tamil as Kaarmegam.
Synopsis
Ajay Varma and Geetha are childhood sweethearts, recently married and have just returned from their honeymoon. They are full of hope for the future-until their young lives are cut short by their brutal murder. Their two families, once split by old rifts, are now forced together in rage and grief. When the man who killed Ajay and Geetha crashes back into their lives, they face a choice that will have dark consequences for all of them. As they stumble down the dangerous path they've chosen, their journey twists and turns towards its devastating end.[3]
Childhood sweethearts Ajay Varma and Geetha are brutally murdered on their return from the honeymoon. Soon their devastated families discover the identity of a badly injured stranger who turns up on their doorstep.
Nandini, a police officer from Vizag to investigate the young couple's murder. The two families have new problem to deal with, as they realise they are not above crime.
While both families struggle to hide the crime, someone among them is hiding the truth from everyone. Saraswathi stumbles upon something that either solve it all, or create a big dilemma for her.
Savitri blackmails Komarraju to not reveal Srikanth's visit to the cattle barn the night Srinu died. Nandini is terrified to see the news of the young guy's death because of the drugs she supplied. Meanwhile, Ravindra Varma commits suicide, and Marthand gets arrested.
David Raju warns Nandini to help him escape the city. Srikanth leaks a shocking information to the police. Nandini and the police team find the clue they’ve been searching for.
Shakuntala reveals how overlooking something in the past has now caught up to destroy two families. Saraswathi unleashes a mother's wrath. Tulasi crumbles while Komarraju realises everything that he has been holding on to is false.
Production
In December 2021, Telangana Today reported that P. Sai Kumar is making his debut in web series. The makers told the media house that "We have already started the shoot of the web series. It's the first time that a European show has been adapted into Telugu. Suitable changes have been made to the original to suit the Telugu nativity,” said the makers. BBC is entering the regional market with the show."[8] The final schedule of filming the series began in Gachibowli, Hyderabad in January 2022 and ended in February 2022.[9]
Reception
Thadhagath Pathi of The Times of India gave a rating of 2.5 out of 5 and praised the performance of lead actors P. Sai Kumar and Radhika Sarathkumar.[3]Pinkvilla stated that it is "fairly gripping thriller that comes with a shocking twist" and also praised performances of lead actors.[10] Echoing the same, a reviewer of Sakshi felt that mid episodes of the series were slow-paced but worked well.[11]123Telugu gave a rating of 3 out of 5 and wrote that "On the whole, Gaalivaana is a decent crime thriller that offers stellar performances by Sai Kumar, Radhika Sarathkumar and a couple of other actors. Some scenes in a couple of episodes make you press the forward button. Especially, the climax portion could have been written well to make the series a great thriller."
Nelki Naresh of Hindustan Times appreciated the performances and writing.[12]
