The Background:
Daldal is the latest psychological crime thriller from Bollywood, created by Suresh Triveni and directed by Amrit Raj Gupta, streaming on Prime Video. The series is based on Vish Dhamija’s bestselling novel Bhendi Bazaar.
The Story:
The series follows DCP Rita Ferreira (Bhumi Pednekar), the youngest officer to lead the Mumbai Crime Branch. She is pulled into an exhausting and emotionally charged investigation as a brutal serial killer terrorizes the city.
What’s Good:
On the surface, Daldal checks all the boxes of a gripping crime thriller. It explores dark realities behind rehab centers and orphanages, highlights victims of sexual assault, and shows how children of prostitutes and fallen police officers struggle with life’s harsh blows. At its core, it portrays a police officer battling inner trauma while still committed to her duty.
The series uses these elements effectively in several sequences. The emotional bond between a police officer and a subordinate is handled well, especially when tragedy strikes. The climax cleverly shows the irony of a killer becoming like the very perpetrators who wronged them.
Bhumi Pednekar maintains the stoic presence required for her role, while debutant Samara Tijori surprises with intensity in key scenes. Geeta Agrawal and Aditya Rawal deliver strong performances, adding weight to their characters.
What’s Bad:
Despite her sincere effort, Bhumi’s performance feels limited because her character’s emotions are constantly underplayed. It seems the creators wanted her to appear tough rather than vulnerable. Samara Tijori, though impressive, lacks the physical presence needed for action sequences, making them less impactful.
What’s Worse:
The series leans too heavily on formulaic elements of serial killer dramas. Revealing the killer’s identity early weakens the suspense. The graphic violence often feels like shock value rather than a natural demand of the story.
The Takeaway:
Strong performances from the main cast and the attempt to uncover hidden crimes and disturbing truths in society are commendable.
Bottomline:
Daldal aims high but falls short of delivering a truly gripping thriller.
Rating: 2.5/5
