After his film Blink (2024), Srinidhi Bengaluru returns with yet another novel concept—this time in a mini-series format. Titled Jerax (an accented take on “Xerox”), the web series presents a quirky spin on a sci-fi idea.
Set in the fictional small town of Rayadurga, the story revolves around Prakasha (Nagabhushana), an orphan who runs his uncle’s photocopy shop. The store houses a single, barely functional machine. However, one night—owing to a peculiar planetary alignment and Prakasha’s childhood connection—the machine begins to do more than just copy documents. It gains the ability to create real-life duplicates of people whose photographs are placed inside it.
Initially, Prakasha uses this newfound power for personal gain, attempting to break off his girlfriend’s engagement. But things soon spiral out of control when the woman he loves lands in a dangerous situation involving local politicians and the police.
As the narrative progresses, Prakasha learns that he can control the machine’s powers through a talisman he received during childhood. Through trial and error, he begins to master his ability, using it to create multiple copies of people for his own benefit—until the consequences become too big to handle. Soon, the town is thrown into chaos, with residents blaming their misdeeds on their supposed “copies.”
Prakasha is portrayed as a struggling man trying to make ends meet while being deeply in love with his girlfriend, Sujatha aka Sooji (Payal Chengappa). He is devastated to learn that she is already engaged to someone chosen by her parents and is considering moving forward with it. Meanwhile, the town is abuzz with political rivalry between Ramanna (Vijaya Prasad) and Deepu (Thukali Santhosh), both entrenched in election campaigning. With cops and media conveniently aligning with power, the socio-political backdrop adds another layer to the story—though Prakasha remains largely disconnected from it, focused on his own struggles.
Overall, Jerax boasts an engaging concept. The performances by the primary cast feel authentic and capture the essence of small-town life. What`s interesting is that the superpowers in the show do not make Prakasha a superhero, as is the case, in most stories dealing with superpowers. He sees the sudden power as a way to make his life easier and earn the love of his girlfriend. Even as his actions snowballs into a murky situation, he uses the power for his own good. We never see him suddenly change his nature and think of the town. It may sound like he is selfish, but also seems very real as a person does not change overnight after getting superpowers.
However, as it is a mini-series, the creators attempt to pack in multiple subplots within a limited runtime, which makes certain portions—especially Prakasha’s discovery of his powers—feel rushed. The makers also experiment with non-linear storytelling in parts to condense the narrative, but this approach occasionally leads to confusion. That said, Srinidhi Bengaluru’s world-building and characterisation help bring the fictional town to life. Each character adds a layer of authenticity, and despite its shortcomings, the series remains engaging enough to keep viewers invested.
The series ends quite abruptly setting the ground for a possible sequel with an alien intervention. There is a lack of clarity towards the end. However, if the makers plan on taking it forward with the sequel, it is definitely worth a wait.
Jerax is currently streaming on ZEE5.
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