Woodpecker Part 1 -2020- Ullu Original Updated
Released on August 12, 2020, "Woodpecker Part 1" is an Ullu Original web series that blends glamour, corporate ambition, and personal struggle. Directed by Rajesh Patel and produced by Vibhu Agrawal, the series explores the lives of several women working in the aviation industry who are willing to cross ethical boundaries to achieve high-status lifestyles. Plot Overview
The story centers on Shanaya (played by Ira Soni), an ambitious air hostess who dreams of transitioning from an employee to an airline owner. She identifies a wealthy businessman, Ajay Singhania (Parag Tyagi), as the potential investor for her airline project, which she names "Woodpecker".
The narrative runs parallel to the lives of three other air hostesses:
Shagun (Nehal Vadoliya): A woman who engages in ethically questionable side activities to maintain a luxurious life.
Rini (Surabhi Tiwari): Desperate for wealth, she chooses to marry a much older man against her family's wishes. Woodpecker Part 1 -2020- Ullu Original
Nandini (Manvi Chugh): Also focused on finding affluent partners to escape her current stature.
Part 1 sets the stage for these intersecting lives, highlighting how their obsession with opulence leads to a "twisted tale" of betrayal and ambition. Cast and Crew
The series features a mix of popular television faces and newcomers:
Parag Tyagi: Known for his roles in daily soaps like Pavitra Rishta, he plays the powerful entrepreneur Ajay Singhania. Ira Soni: Portrays the lead protagonist, Shanaya. Released on August 12, 2020, "Woodpecker Part 1"
Supporting Cast: Includes Anupama Prakash (Mayra), Anil Dhawan (Pandey Ji), and Vijay Patkar (Pappu). Director: Rajesh Patel. Release and Availability
"Woodpecker" premiered on the Ullu App in August 2020 and was later made available on platforms like MX Player. The first season consists of 8 episodes, typically ranging between 18 to 40 minutes. Woodpecker (TV Mini Series 2020– ) - IMDb
The Legacy: Where is the Cast Now?
Following the success of Woodpecker Part 1 (2020, Ullu Original) , the actors saw a boost in their digital careers.
- Anupama Prakash went on to star in other OTT thrillers like Ragini MMS Returns on ALTBalaji.
- Vijay Mishra became a go-to antagonist for several Hindi web series on platforms like MX Player.
- The show has been renewed for a "Part 2" (sometimes mislabeled as Season 2), though fans argue the original 2020 standalone remains superior.
Aarav (Protagonist)
Aarav is every urban millennial. He orders food online, works late nights, and has few real friends. His loneliness is his vulnerability. The series cleverly uses Aarav’s isolation not as a plot convenience but as a psychological weapon. The audience feels his panic because we recognize his life. His descent from rational skepticism to frantic terror is the episode’s driving force. The Legacy: Where is the Cast Now
The Plot: More Than Just a Pecking Order
At its surface, Woodpecker follows the story of a young, ambitious architect (played with simmering intensity by Ankit Raj) who is desperate to land a life-changing contract with a ruthless builder. The title is metaphorical. The "Woodpecker" isn't a bird; it is a relentless force of nature that keeps tapping until it breaks through the bark.
The plot thickens when the protagonist’s wife, played by the ever-dependable Anita Jaiswal, gets entangled in a web of seduction and espionage. Unlike typical Ullu thrillers where the "affair" is the climax, here, the affair is merely the tool. The builder sends a femme fatale to distract the architect, but the tables turn when the wife discovers she enjoys the game more than the hunters do.
Warning: Mild Spoilers Ahead
Part 1 ends on a classic cliffhanger. Just as the protagonist thinks he has secured the deal by playing along with the builder’s perverse demands, a rival "Woodpecker" enters the fray—someone who has been tapping away at the builder’s own foundation for years.