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In new web series ‘Aks’, award-winning filmmaker Amar Deokar delves into dark corners of the human mind

Films are a means to express sociopolitical realities for Amar Deokar, whose debut feature film ‘Mhorkya’ won three National Awards in 2018.

Pune-based director Amar Deokar's debut feature film, Mhorkya won three National Awards in 2018.

One dark night, a young man on a motorcycle loses his way on a lonely stretch of road. Too late he realises, “Yeh toh woh churail wala raasta hain. (This is the road haunted by the witch). I should never have come this way. But I cannot turn back either.” Even as he sweats in fear, the man spots an old woman who seeks a lift on his motorcycle. As he allows her to ride pillion, his life begins to take a turn.

What happens next forms the core of the horror story, Kaaveri. This is the first episode of a web series, Aks, by Pune-based director Amar Deokar whose debut feature film, Mhorkya, won three National Awards in 2018. Aks marks his entry into the YouTube web series space.

In 2020, Deokar had famously dressed up as a madman on Republic Day and gone around the city with a Tricolour, saluting and shaking hands with people to draw attention to the questions of democracy and patriotism that Mhorkya dealt with. For him, films are a means to express sociopolitical realities. This time around, Deokar is using horror as a gateway to explore the deep recesses of the mind.

“Whenever I look at myself through a character, I find many shades. How does one explain the multiple layers of the mind to society? Modern psychology has explored only the tip of the mind’s workings,” he says.

“In primitive times, we came up with entities such as ghosts and pishach to explain negative energies. There were gods who represented positive forces. Through fantasy and supernatural beings, what I really talk about in the five episodes of Aks are the dark areas of our minds. Every story is also an investigation of my mind,” Deokar adds.

The second episode, Main Aaun?, revolves around the daughter-in-law of a zamindar household who is burnt to death by the family. Her ornaments are taken away. Soon, the village receives a notice that they must leave as the land would go underwater to construct a dam. Since then, in a haveli submerged in the deep water, the spirit of the dead woman guards her jewellery and destroys all who venture near. Now, many years later, a man, whose family has fallen on bad times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, decides to take a boat into the water to retrieve the gold.

“As a man, I have the male ego and the tendency of male domination works inside me. In the film, the water represents the mind, the boat is the conscious mind, the submerged village is the subconscious mind and the gold is the male ego,” says Deokar. The series is getting good response on YouTube, having crossed 5.7 lakh views.

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Deokar would like to point out that the web series does not carry a disclaimer. “I did not see it necessary to carry a disclaimer that we do not believe in ghosts or gods. In our country, we carry disclaimers about cigarette and alcohol consumption as if audiences do not know that these things are harmful to health.”

“On the other hand, a film showing a murder will not carry a disclaimer about it. I decided to do away with the disclaimer, but I do trust in the superpower that exists in our hearts and minds and can accomplish anything,” he says. “Aks is a small way to understand ourselves,” Deokar adds.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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