Indian Web Series on Netflix –

 Typewriter

Starring – Purab Kohli, Palomi Ghosh
Director – Sujoy Ghosh
Genre – Horror

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The Ghost Club of Bardez: Unpacking the Mystery of Netflix’s ‘Typewriter’

Sujoy Ghosh, the acclaimed director behind cinematic thrillers like Kahaani and Badla, made his highly anticipated digital debut with the Netflix original series, Typewriter. Released in 2019, this five-episode Indian horror-drama instantly carved out a niche for itself, blending classic haunted house tropes with a nostalgic, almost Enid Blyton-esque tale of childhood adventure. Set against the sun-kissed, yet eerily atmospheric, backdrop of Goa, Typewriter is a series that relies less on jump scares and more on weaving a complex, multi-generational mystery.

The series garnered attention for its unique fusion of a police procedural investigation, a chilling supernatural curse, and the charming escapades of a group of precocious children. It stands as a significant title in the early lineup of Indian Original content on Netflix, demonstrating a desire to move beyond typical Bollywood horror conventions and explore genre storytelling with a sophisticated, cinematic lens.

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The Bardez Villa: Where Past and Present Collide

The narrative of Typewriter is meticulously crafted around a central, imposing location: the Bardez Villa in the Bardez township of North Goa. The series opens in the 1980s with the mysterious death of Madhav Mathews (Kanwaljit Singh), a prolific writer of ghost stories and the Villa’s owner, just moments after he finishes typing the title of his latest novel, The Ghost of Sultanpore, on his prized antique typewriter.

Decades later, the series’ main action begins. Madhav’s granddaughter, Jenny Fernandes (Palomi Ghosh), returns to her childhood home in Bardez with her husband, Peter (Sameer Kochhar), and their two children, Nick and Anya, hoping for a fresh start. However, her return immediately triggers a frightening resurgence of the old villa’s legend, marked by a string of mysterious and seemingly supernatural deaths in the quiet town.

The series masterfully intertwines three parallel story threads that drive the plot:

1. The Ghost Club: A group of inquisitive local children—Sameera a.k.a. Sam (Aarna Sharma), the leader; Satyajit a.k.a. Gablu (Mikhail Gandhi); and Devraj a.k.a. Bunty (Palash Kamble)—along with their dog, Buddy. Their passion for the supernatural, fueled by Madhav Mathews’ book The Ghost of Sultanpore, leads them to form a “Ghost Club.” Their primary mission is to capture a real ghost at the allegedly haunted Bardez Villa.
2. The Family’s Return: Jenny’s attempts to settle her family into the old villa while simultaneously struggling with suppressed childhood memories and a frightening family history connected to her grandfather’s death.
3. The Police Investigation: Inspector Ravi Anand (Purab Kohli), Sam’s father, begins investigating the suspicious deaths, which locals attribute to the supernatural. His professional, grounded approach is constantly juxtaposed against the growing sense of an inexplicable, paranormal force at work.

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The Titular Object: A Typewriter with a Vendetta

The old, battered typewriter itself is not merely a set prop; it is the silent, malevolent nucleus of the entire mystery. It is the instrument through which Madhav Mathews’ final, unwritten story, The Ghost of Sultanpore, came to life, and it appears to harbor the spirit of the entity responsible for the recurring horror. The machine seems to possess a violent, territorial grudge against anyone who tries to remove it from the manor, serving as a tangible object through which the dark forces operate.

The mystery deepens with the introduction of Amit Roy (Jisshu Sengupta), a mathematics teacher with a shadowy past and a clear agenda: to acquire the antique typewriter. His true identity and his link to a character named ‘Fakeer’ (Abhishek Banerjee), a man from the 1980s with uncanny, soul-possessing abilities inherited from his mother, form the key to understanding the generational curse and the supernatural powers at play.

The series successfully uses the typewriter as a focal point to explore themes of:

• Unfinished Stories: The deaths associated with the machine are linked to an incomplete narrative, suggesting that the past’s story must be finished before the present can be safe.
• The Power of Words: The author’s final act of writing the book’s title is what seemingly unleashed the evil, giving a metaphorical weight to the typewriter as a source of creation and destruction.
• Generational Trauma: The horror in the present is a direct consequence of the actions and secrets of the characters from the 1980s, primarily Madhav and Fakeer.

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A Blend of Genres: From Enid Blyton to Stranger Things

One of Typewriter’s biggest strengths, and a consistent point of critical discussion, is its effective mix of diverse storytelling styles. Director Sujoy Ghosh openly embraced a nostalgic, “old-school” approach to the horror genre, differentiating it from the typical jump-scare-heavy Indian horror flicks.

• The Goan Charm (Susegad): The series is set in the “sleepy and susegad-hit” Bardez, Goa, whose old Portuguese-style villas and lush, tranquil yet secluded landscapes provide an ideal contrast to the mounting terror. The unique backdrop, full of local folklore and old secrets, grounds the story in a distinctly Indian setting that feels both authentic and inherently mysterious.
• The Ghost Club and Nostalgia: The storyline centered on the child protagonists, with their encyclopedic knowledge of ghost stories, determination to ‘nab a ghost,’ and close-knit friendship, drew immediate comparisons to Steven Spielberg’s early work, Stephen King’s themes, and, most frequently, Netflix’s own hit series, Stranger Things. Some critics noted that the spirit of their adventure, with its “innocent sense of wonder,” felt akin to an Enid Blyton adventure novel, such as The Famous Five.
• The Pulpy Thriller: At its core, the adult narrative thread—involving the police investigation, the shadowy figure of Amit Roy/Fakeer’s son, and the shape-shifting ghost—functions as a psychological thriller that pays “homage to the more pulpy side of Indian literary tradition.”

The series manages to balance the endearing antics of the Ghost Club with the genuinely eerie, shape-shifting nature of the central spirit and the intense police procedural.

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Star Performances and Direction

The cast of Typewriter was widely praised, particularly the performances of the main adult and child actors:

• The Child Leads: The four young actors—Aarna Sharma (Sam), Mikhail Gandhi (Gablu), and Palash Kamble (Bunty)—who form the Ghost Club, were consistently called the “biggest strength of the series.” They successfully carry the investigative part of the narrative with believable chemistry and energy.
• Palomi Ghosh (Jenny Fernandes): Her performance as Jenny, a woman grappling with her troubled past in the haunted villa and her present-day role as a mother, was highlighted. She convincingly portrays a character broken by the sadness of her past, often in scenes with challenging emotional depth.
• Jisshu Sengupta (Amit Roy): Sengupta’s portrayal of the mysterious, menacing character Amit Roy, who has a dark connection to the titular object, was considered a standout performance, adding an essential layer of intrigue and complexity to the antagonist side of the plot.
• Sujoy Ghosh’s Direction: The series reaffirmed Sujoy Ghosh’s reputation for crafting engaging, complex thrillers. Critics noted that while the horror may not have been groundbreaking, his expertise in the genre shone through, utilizing the Goan locations and sound design (by Raja Narayan Deb) effectively to create an uncomfortable, eerie atmosphere.

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Critical Reception and The Unfinished Chapter

Typewriter was met with a generally positive, albeit mixed, critical reception. Many reviewers appreciated its refreshing take on Indian horror, moving past typical low-budget tropes. The strong setup, character development, and sense of mystery in the initial episodes were lauded.

However, a common criticism pointed to the series’ clumsy and underwhelming finale. Reviewers felt that the meticulously crafted build-up in the first few episodes led to a rushed or “half-baked” conclusion, with some supernatural elements becoming “unconvincing” in the end. Furthermore, despite the five-episode run being a strong point for avoiding unnecessary padding, the climax, set on a ‘blood-moon night,’ left several vital plot threads frustratingly unresolved.

The series ends on a clear cliffhanger, suggesting the ghost’s power has been transferred, and the evil remains unvanquished. This naturally led to speculation for a Season 2. Unfortunately, the series has since been deemed “finished/canceled” by Netflix. While the first season’s average viewership performance may have been a factor, the one-season, five-episode run remains a self-contained, yet deliberately unresolved, entry into Indian horror fiction.

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Conclusion

Typewriter is a compelling watch for fans of mystery-thrillers and old-school horror. It is a series that excels in creating atmosphere, character depth, and a compelling multi-generational plot that hooks the viewer from the start. It successfully pays homage to classic adventure stories while delivering a uniquely Indian supernatural tale rooted in the scenic, yet sinister, allure of Goa. Though the conclusion is not as strong as the build-up, the journey with the plucky Ghost Club and the dark history of the Bardez Villa is undeniably engaging and makes Typewriter a must-see in the landscape of Indian web series.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What is the plot of the Netflix series ‘Typewriter’?

A: The plot of Typewriter revolves around a haunted villa in Bardez, Goa, and a group of three local children, who call themselves the “Ghost Club.” Their curiosity about capturing a ghost is reawakened when a new family, led by Jenny Fernandes, moves into the infamous Bardez Villa, which was once owned by Jenny’s grandfather, a horror novelist. The mystery unfolds across different timelines (the 1980s and the present), centering on an antique typewriter, a cursed novel called The Ghost of Sultanpore, and a terrifying supernatural entity known as ‘Fakeer’.

Q2: How many episodes are in the ‘Typewriter’ web series?

A: The Indian web series Typewriter consists of one season with a total of five episodes. The entire first season premiered simultaneously on Netflix on July 19, 2019, with each episode having a running time of approximately 43–54 minutes.

Q3: Who is the director of the Netflix show ‘Typewriter’ and who are the main cast members?

A: Typewriter was created, written, and directed by acclaimed Indian filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh, known for his work on Kahaani and Badla. The main cast includes:

• Palomi Ghosh as Jenny Fernandes
• Purab Kohli as Inspector Ravi Anand
• Jisshu Sengupta as Amit Roy / Munna
• Sameer Kochhar as Peter Fernandes
• The child actors Aarna Sharma, Mikhail Gandhi, and Palash Kamble as the members of the “Ghost Club.”

Q4: Will there be a Season 2 of ‘Typewriter’?

A: No, a second season of Typewriter is currently canceled. Despite the first season ending on a significant cliffhanger, the series has been marked as “finished/canceled” on Netflix. The production company has not moved forward with plans for a sequel season.

Q5: Is ‘Typewriter’ a horror series suitable for children?

A: Typewriter is officially classified as a Horror Drama and is generally marketed for audiences aged 16 and over due to its thematic elements of mysterious deaths, blood rituals, and a shape-shifting ghost. However, many critics noted that the series is a “mellow cross between horror and thriller” that invokes a sense of nostalgia, often comparing it to classic children’s adventure stories like The Famous Five mixed with the supernatural themes of Stranger Things. While it contains spooky scenes, its focus on investigation and friendship makes it an accessible, “old-school” ghost story.