Dayaa is based on the Bengali series Taqdeer (2020). Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar and dubbed in multiple languages, it has been customised to suit the Telugu audience. The series marks the OTT debut of actor J.D. Chakravarthy, who was noticed across the country in Ram Gopal Varma’s Satya.
The character arc of Dayaa (played by Chakravarthy) is somewhat similar to that of Satya (the character played by the same actor in Satya), where he is silent and unassuming before being possessed by a violent streak.
Dayaa is a partially deaf driver of a refrigerated van that transports fish and aqua products. The show is set in the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh, with stunning aerial footage, captured beautifully by director and writer Pavan Sadineni.
Dayaa is a struggler who is trying to make ends meet and dreams of a better future for his pregnant wife Alivelu (Eesha Rebba). One day, for the lure of money and under an obligation to his friend Prabha (Josh Ravi), Dayaa accepts to transport a consignment despite being tired. Upon reaching the destination, he discovers that it is a dead body with a bullet wound. From here, the story picks up pace to comfortably slot itself into the crime thriller genre. Dayaa and his friends try to get rid of the body only to learn that it is of a popular journalist, Kavitha (Remya Nambeesan), who works with a regional news channel.
Kavitha’s life as a feisty journalist acts as a sober track that gives a glimpse of her troubled marriage. Her husband, played by Kamal Kamaraju, is searching for her in Hyderabad, without knowing that she is already dead.
How Kavitha ended up getting killed is revealed in bits and pieces till one gets a full picture in the last episode. There is a political angle to it, with the entry of a local MLA, who is also a womaniser. The narration is gripping, keeping the audience entertained with various revelations. Viewers also get a peek into the dark past of Dayaa and his wife.
The climax leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Sadineni is successful in leaving the audience wanting to know more. Dayaa is one of the few OTT shows in Telugu that has finally managed to hit the right note with the viewers. Though acting and the dialogues are not the strong points of Dayaa, the characterisation is excellent.