# Afsos
**Afsos** (अफ़सोस; Hindi for "regret") is an Indian Hindi-language black comedy miniseries about a suicidal man who pays to have himself killed, and then changes his mind. It was created by stand-up comedian Anirban Dasgupta and Dibya Chatterjee, written by the two with Sourav Ghosh, directed by Anubhuti Kashyap, and streamed on Amazon Prime Video in eight episodes in early 2020.[1](https://press.aboutamazon.com/in/2020/1/amazon-prime-video-unveils-the-trailer-of-a-new-series-afsos) • [2](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/reviews/afsos-review-web-series-trailer-release-date-amazon-prime-video-gulshan-devaiah-2174803/amp)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Format | Eight-episode Hindi-language miniseries, black comedy and suspense thriller, total runtime about 204 minutes[1](https://press.aboutamazon.com/in/2020/1/amazon-prime-video-unveils-the-trailer-of-a-new-series-afsos) • [3](https://www.tring.co.in/celebrity-list/afsos) |
| Release | Trailer announced 10 January 2020 with a binge release planned for 17 January 2020; the launch was later moved to 6–7 February 2020[1](https://press.aboutamazon.com/in/2020/1/amazon-prime-video-unveils-the-trailer-of-a-new-series-afsos) • [4](https://theenvoyweb.com/news/amazon-prime-video-india-afsos-new-release-date/) |
| Creators | Anirban Dasgupta and Dibya Chatterjee, writing with Sourav Ghosh; directed by first-time director Anubhuti Kashyap[1](https://press.aboutamazon.com/in/2020/1/amazon-prime-video-unveils-the-trailer-of-a-new-series-afsos) • [5](https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/bollywood/anubhuti-kashyap-on-what-hooked-her-about-afsos-and-the-equation-she-shares-with-brother-anurag/cid/1748904) |
| Lead cast | Gulshan Devaiah as Nakul, Anjali Patil as therapist Shloka, Heeba Shah as the assassin Upadhyay, Robin Das as Fokatiya Baba[6](https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/afsos) |
| Premise | A failed Mumbai writer hires the Emergency Exit agency to kill him, then regrets it, while a sadhu carrying the amrit (elixir of immortality) and a London scientist hunting the elixir converge on him[7](https://scroll.in/reel/952487/scroll_in) • [8](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2020/Mar/01/afsos-review-a-series-of-unfortunate-events-2109426.html) |
| Sequel | No second season was made; Gulshan Devaiah said in 2025 that he had been signed for three seasons but the show did not perform well enough for Amazon[9](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/exclusive-gulshan-devaiah-afsos-2-never-happened-dont-think-well-enough-amazon-opens-anurag-kashyaps-criticism-ott-giants-pr/) |
## Spoilers
### Premise and plot
Nakul ([Gulshan Devaiah](https://www.edgepedia.org/gulshan-devaiah)) is a failed writer living in Mumbai who has tried to kill himself a dozen times without success; in the opening minutes, other people sometimes die when his attempts go wrong.[2](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/reviews/afsos-review-web-series-trailer-release-date-amazon-prime-video-gulshan-devaiah-2174803/amp) His therapist Shloka Sreenivasan ([Anjali Patil](https://www.edgepedia.org/anjali-patil)) tells him he has a will to live deep down.[10](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/web-series/afsos) Unable to die on his own, Nakul contacts Emergency Exit, an agency run by Maria Gomes (Ratnabali Bhattacharjee) and Vikram (Ujjwal Chopra) out of a Mumbai trailer that helps people "reach their makers faster," and pays it to arrange his death.[7](https://scroll.in/reel/952487/scroll_in) When he changes his mind, the contract stays live, and the assassin Upadhyay (Heeba Shah) pursues him relentlessly.[11](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/afsos/seasonreview/76277733.cms) • [12](https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/afsos-review-amazon-s-new-indian-show-is-a-pitiful-letdown-undeserving-of-gulshan-devaiah/story-YDXxYj90svcV2zVMVxZThM.html)
A parallel plot runs through the mountains of [Uttarakhand](https://www.edgepedia.org/uttarakhand), where twelve monks at an ashram in Harsil are murdered and a thirteenth flees with the amrit, the elixir of life mentioned in the Hindu epic [Mahabharata](https://www.edgepedia.org/mahabharata).[8](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2020/Mar/01/afsos-review-a-series-of-unfortunate-events-2109426.html) The fugitive sadhu, Fokatiya Baba (Robin Das), believes Nakul is a chiranjeevi (an immortal, long-lived being in Hindu tradition), an immortal being, and sets out to give him the elixir.[13](https://rollingstoneindia.com/afsos-decoding-the-anti-hero/) A London scientist, Dr. Goldfish (Jamie Alter), who researches immortality, travels to India to trap the monk and Nakul and seize the vial.[8](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2020/Mar/01/afsos-review-a-series-of-unfortunate-events-2109426.html) A journalist, Ayesha Mirani ([Sulagna Panigrahi](https://www.edgepedia.org/sulagna-panigrahi)), publishes a story titled "The Immortal Man" after meeting the sadhu, and an Uttarakhand police officer, Inspector Bir Singh (Aakash Dahiya), tracks a serial killer on the side.[13](https://rollingstoneindia.com/afsos-decoding-the-anti-hero/) • [12](https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/afsos-review-amazon-s-new-indian-show-is-a-pitiful-letdown-undeserving-of-gulshan-devaiah/story-YDXxYj90svcV2zVMVxZThM.html)
The title frames the theme. The writers began from the question "What if we make a show where nobody gets their way?", and the series examines death from three angles: the will to die, the will to kill, and the will to live forever.[13](https://rollingstoneindia.com/afsos-decoding-the-anti-hero/) • [11](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/afsos/seasonreview/76277733.cms)
## Production
The series was produced by Only Much Louder (OML) for Amazon Prime Video, which made it available to Prime members in 200 countries and territories.[1](https://press.aboutamazon.com/in/2020/1/amazon-prime-video-unveils-the-trailer-of-a-new-series-afsos) It marked the debut of Anirban Dasgupta as a show creator, after his stand-up special *Take It Easy* on the same service.[1](https://press.aboutamazon.com/in/2020/1/amazon-prime-video-unveils-the-trailer-of-a-new-series-afsos) For director Anubhuti Kashyap, sister of filmmaker [Anurag Kashyap](https://www.edgepedia.org/anurag-kashyap), it was a first directing job after working as an assistant director on her brother's *Dev.D* and *Gangs of Wasseypur*; she had moved into filmmaking from a career in IT.[5](https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/bollywood/anubhuti-kashyap-on-what-hooked-her-about-afsos-and-the-equation-she-shares-with-brother-anurag/cid/1748904) The project began as an intended Bengali-cinema showcase and changed both format and language when the writers took it to a streaming platform.[13](https://rollingstoneindia.com/afsos-decoding-the-anti-hero/)
**The novel question.** The show is presented as based on a [Bengali novel](https://www.edgepedia.org/bengali-novel), *Golper Goru Chaande*, but the novel's status is disputed. Rolling Stone India reports that the book is "a figment of the writers' imagination," and Scroll compares the device to the fake true-story disclaimer of the [Coen brothers](https://www.edgepedia.org/coen-brothers)' *Fargo*, asking whether the novel was ever committed to the page.[13](https://rollingstoneindia.com/afsos-decoding-the-anti-hero/) • [7](https://scroll.in/reel/952487/scroll_in) Other outlets treat it as a real source: Glamsham attributes the novel to Kalponik Bandopadhyay, and The New Indian Express calls the series an adaptation whose absurdist humor continues a Bengali literary tradition associated with [Sukumar Ray](https://www.edgepedia.org/sukumar-ray).[14](https://glamsham.com/ott/web-review/afsos-web-series-review/) • [8](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2020/Mar/01/afsos-review-a-series-of-unfortunate-events-2109426.html)
Neel Adhikari composed the score, which includes the thematic pieces "The Kill," sung by Spanish vocalist Pati Amor, and "Afsos Hai," sung by playback singer [Arijit Singh](https://www.edgepedia.org/arijit-singh).[15](https://rollingstoneindia.com/afsos-review-who-lives-who-dies-who-tells-the-tale/)
## Reception
Critical response was divided. The Times of India gave the season 3 out of 5, calling it a clever premise let down by "loopholes-riddled plot and the at-times shoddy acting, writing and directing," while crediting Gulshan Devaiah with elevating the show.[11](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/afsos/seasonreview/76277733.cms) Gadgets360's reviewer concluded the series was not worth viewers' time, criticizing incoherent plotting and direction he called amateurish in parts.[2](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/reviews/afsos-review-web-series-trailer-release-date-amazon-prime-video-gulshan-devaiah-2174803/amp) [Hindustan Times](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindustan-times) called it a letdown undeserving of Devaiah.[12](https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/afsos-review-amazon-s-new-indian-show-is-a-pitiful-letdown-undeserving-of-gulshan-devaiah/story-YDXxYj90svcV2zVMVxZThM.html) On the favorable side, Scroll praised the sharply etched characters and a deadpan tone that stayed consistent across the eight episodes, and Rolling Stone India called it "endlessly riveting" and a possible high point of Indian dark comedy.[7](https://scroll.in/reel/952487/scroll_in) • [15](https://rollingstoneindia.com/afsos-review-who-lives-who-dies-who-tells-the-tale/) The New Indian Express highlighted the show's world-building choices, including retired assassins who assist suicides and a claim that the Kohinoor diamond was a decoy for the elixir.[16](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2020/Feb/26/afsos-series-review-mocking-mediocrity-2108957.html)
Aggregated scores reflect the split: IMDb users rate the series 7.5 out of 10, while JustWatch's user rating stands at 14 percent from 35 ratings, and Rotten Tomatoes lists too few critic reviews for a Tomatometer score.[6](https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/afsos) • [3](https://www.tring.co.in/celebrity-list/afsos) • [17](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/afsos/s01)
## Aftermath
No second season followed. In an April 2025 interview, Gulshan Devaiah explained that he had been signed for three seasons when the show was written, but "I don't think it did well enough for Amazon," adding that the series was not an Amazon original and received less promotion than originals would have.[9](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/exclusive-gulshan-devaiah-afsos-2-never-happened-dont-think-well-enough-amazon-opens-anurag-kashyaps-criticism-ott-giants-pr/) He noted that the show retains its own fan base and ends at an open point, with the audience left unsure whether Nakul is a chiranjeevi.[9](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/exclusive-gulshan-devaiah-afsos-2-never-happened-dont-think-well-enough-amazon-opens-anurag-kashyaps-criticism-ott-giants-pr/) As of 2026, the series streams in India free with ads on [MX Player](https://www.edgepedia.org/mx-player) and Amazon MX Player.[6](https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/afsos)
## References
1. [Amazon Prime Video unveils the trailer of a new series Afsos, Amazon Press Center (10 January 2020)](https://press.aboutamazon.com/in/2020/1/amazon-prime-video-unveils-the-trailer-of-a-new-series-afsos)
2. [Afsos Review: We Regret to Inform You That This Amazon Series Is Not Worth Your Time, Gadgets360 (7 February 2020)](https://www.gadgets360.com/entertainment/reviews/afsos-review-web-series-trailer-release-date-amazon-prime-video-gulshan-devaiah-2174803/amp)
3. [Afsos, Tring India](https://www.tring.co.in/celebrity-list/afsos)
4. [Amazon Prime Video India's Afsos gets new release date, The Envoy Web (30 January 2020)](https://theenvoyweb.com/news/amazon-prime-video-india-afsos-new-release-date/)
5. [Anubhuti Kashyap on what hooked her about Afsos, The Telegraph India (26 February 2020)](https://www.telegraphindia.com/entertainment/bollywood/anubhuti-kashyap-on-what-hooked-her-about-afsos-and-the-equation-she-shares-with-brother-anurag/cid/1748904)
6. [Afsos, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/afsos)
7. [In Amazon web series Afsos, black humour and a high body count on the road to immortality, Scroll (8 February 2020)](https://scroll.in/reel/952487/scroll_in)
8. [Afsos review: A series of unfortunate events, The New Indian Express (1 March 2020)](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2020/Mar/01/afsos-review-a-series-of-unfortunate-events-2109426.html)
9. [Gulshan Devaiah on why Afsos 2 never happened, Bollywood Hungama (4 April 2025)](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/news/bollywood/exclusive-gulshan-devaiah-afsos-2-never-happened-dont-think-well-enough-amazon-opens-anurag-kashyaps-criticism-ott-giants-pr/)
10. [Afsos (2020), Indian Film History](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/web-series/afsos)
11. [Afsos Season 1 Review: Deadly concept, average execution, The Times of India (31 July 2020)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/afsos/seasonreview/76277733.cms)
12. [Afsos review: Amazon's new Indian show is a pitiful letdown, Hindustan Times (February 2020)](https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/afsos-review-amazon-s-new-indian-show-is-a-pitiful-letdown-undeserving-of-gulshan-devaiah/story-YDXxYj90svcV2zVMVxZThM.html)
13. [Afsos: Decoding the Anti-Hero, Rolling Stone India (11 February 2020)](https://rollingstoneindia.com/afsos-decoding-the-anti-hero/)
14. [Afsos web series review: fascinatingly weird & humorously wicked knockout, Glamsham (10 February 2020)](https://glamsham.com/ott/web-review/afsos-web-series-review/)
15. [Afsos Review: Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells the Tale?, Rolling Stone India (13 February 2020)](https://rollingstoneindia.com/afsos-review-who-lives-who-dies-who-tells-the-tale/)
16. [Afsos series review: Mocking mediocrity, The New Indian Express (27 February 2020)](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2020/Feb/26/afsos-series-review-mocking-mediocrity-2108957.html)
17. [Miniseries – Afsos, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/afsos/s01)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › Unscripted, reality, and web-native series › Web-native and streaming-original series › Indian and South Asian web series*
*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license