Lootere – Season 1 Episode 1 “Welcome to Somalia” Recap & Review

Welcome to Somalia

Episode 1 kicks off in Somalia with armed men, likely pirates, heading to the port. They board several small boats and head out to sea to intercept a cargo ship. The scene then shifts to three days earlier in Mogadishu, Somalia, where we meet Vikrant Gandhi, a man of Indian origin who manages his father-in-law’s illicit business.

Vikrant also serves as the president of the Mogadishu port and is eager to win re-election, especially with his company under scrutiny. He believes that winning the election will solidify his authority and protect his interests. We also find out that the UK Kyival ship is scheduled to arrive at the Mogadishu port in a couple of days, and Vik instructs his right-hand man to ensure a smooth operation.

Later, Vik meets with Tawfiq, who informs Vik that he might not win the upcoming election as the port authority members are planning to vote for Jakob instead. Vik directly asks about the cost of securing the election, but Tawfiq still remains noncommittal and suggests that Vik’s victory is not guaranteed. The same night, Jakob is attacked at his home by an assailant who warns him against opposing Vik.

On the ship, Ak Singh informs his crew that they will be entering Somali waters the next day, and as a precaution, everyone will work in three shifts. He says that they need to be vigilant and ensure all security measures are in place. Despite a year without any pirate attacks, AK Singh is not willing to take any risks.

Back at home, Vik apologizes to his son for missing his birthday party and promises to be there for the next one. Afterward, Vik and his wife, Avika, share a romantic moment, dancing to one of her favourite songs on the radio. Trouble brews for Vik when the port members discover that the arriving ship is carrying illegal cargo. Vik frantically reaches out to his contacts for help but is turned down at every corner.

They all advise him to flee with his family, as once the cargo is exposed, it will spell the end of his career. It becomes clear that someone is determined to stop Vik from being re-elected as port president. Vik learns that Ali Magan has betrayed him. After a brutal beatdown, Ali confesses that his family was threatened, and he was forced to inform the police about Vik’s attempt to smuggle prohibited goods through the Mogadishu port.

Vik did his best to halt the ship, but when he couldn’t, he decided to take a different approach. He turns to Bilal and asks him to do whatever it takes to ensure the ship and its cargo never reaches the port. This brings us to the opening scene of the movie, where we see a group of pirates boarding a speedboat to intercept the ship. It seems that Bilal had hired these pirates to stop the ship. 

On the ship, AK Singh spots a fast-approaching target on the radar and quickly realizes they are dealing with pirates. He takes charge and alerts the crew about the imminent threat and instructs them to gather in the citadel for safety. AK Singh also sends out a distress signal, calling for help and warning of a potential pirate attack. 

AK Singh and his crew attempt to thwart the pirates boarding the ship using defensive measures, but their efforts prove futile. The situation escalates when the ship’s engine fails, rendering them immobile and vulnerable at sea. The pirates successfully take AK Singh and his crew hostage. The leader of the pirates, Barkhand, assures AK that as long as he complies with their demands, neither he nor his crew will come to harm.

The Episode Review

The show is off to an exciting start, boasting a stellar cast that promises action-packed adventures ahead. In the first episode, we meet Vik, a man who clearly relishes power and authority. To maintain his grip on these, he must win the election for port president.

It seems likely that the cargo on the ship headed for Mogadishu holds something crucial for his election bid. However, the tables turn when a conspiracy forms against him. Now the question looms: what exactly is on that ship? Is it money, weapons, or something else that could spell trouble for Vik if discovered?