rchika Khurana, TNN, May 11, 2023, 11.33 PM IST
Story: This eight-part series follows Sub-inspector Anjali Bhaati as she investigates a string of inexplicable deaths in public restrooms in Mandawa, Rajasthan. Initially appearing to be suicides, a chain of homicides, one after the other, directs their investigation toward a pattern in the fatalities, raising the possibility that a serial murderer is on the loose. But what is the truth, and who, after all, started it all? Thus, begins an enthralling game of cat-and-mouse that will keep you hooked.
Review: Dahaad (meaning roar) begins with a disturbing scene in which a young woman dressed in shaadi ka joda (wedding attire) is discovered dead in a public restroom. At first, the death appears to be a suicide, but as the number of missing women in Mandawa and the neighbouring parts of Rajasthan increases, the investigating officers—Sub-inspector Anjali Bhaati (Sonakshi Sinha), SHO Devi Prasad Singh (Gulshan Devaiah), and Inspector Kailash Parghi (Sohum Shah)—become suspicious that a serial killer is on the loose. Their investigation leads them to Anand Sawnakar (Vijay Varma), a seemingly innocuous man who teaches Hindi literature at a girls’ school. But the question is whether he is capable of such a heinous act. If so, what is the reason? If not, who is the actual perpetrator? What follows is a riveting cat-and-mouse chase between a seasoned criminal and an underdog officer, as Bhaati seeks evidence before another innocent woman loses her life.
Created by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar (who has co-written it with Ritesh Shah), the plot does not waste time revealing the killer’s identity. This, however, never detracts from the show’s persistently grim and brutal narrative, which concentrates on the anatomy of the killer’s mind as much as his crime. Each episode is approximately 55 minutes long, and the drama’s fundamental theme is caste discrimination. For instance, Anjali Bhaati, who belongs to the backward class, is not allowed to enter the homes of the higher crust. Countless other encounters remind the audience that such discrimination still exists, which is unfortunate but real.
Dahaad brings up something we’ve seen in various Indian dramas like Raveena Tandon’s Aranyak and Dhrashti Dhami’s Duranga, among others. Like these shows, many characters are introduced and seen across the first few episodes, simmering in their own worlds until they are brought together. While certain elements are presented in the first episode, other characters come in as the story unfolds. And the political subplot concerning caste prejudice and using people as scapegoats serve no function other than to muddle the narrative.
This crime drama scores big with its fast-paced developments, revelations, and strong performances. Sonakshi Sinha's performance as the titular character is a sure winner in her OTT debut, thanks to her restrained acting. Her upright demeanour and consistent martial art practice complement her character, who is on the hunt for the suspect. As other officers, Gulshan Devaiah and Sohum Shah exhibit promise. The wickedness and perversion of Vijay Varma’s character are highlighted by his devious tone and eerie expressions. He is equally compelling as a middle-class married man struggling to make ends meet and as a serial killer with unresolved father issues.
Shot in various parts of Rajasthan, Tanay Satam’s cinematography beautifully captures the rustic villages, bringing realism to the drama. Even the Rajasthani dialect used by the entire cast as a common language lends authenticity to the narrative. The original score by Gaurav Raina and Tarana Marwah blends well too.
If the roughly hour-long episodes would have been given a tighter edit, this show would have easily been a binge-worthy drama. However, what sets Dahaad apart is its crisp writing and roaring performances, which make it an engaging watch.
Review: Dahaad (meaning roar) begins with a disturbing scene in which a young woman dressed in shaadi ka joda (wedding attire) is discovered dead in a public restroom. At first, the death appears to be a suicide, but as the number of missing women in Mandawa and the neighbouring parts of Rajasthan increases, the investigating officers—Sub-inspector Anjali Bhaati (Sonakshi Sinha), SHO Devi Prasad Singh (Gulshan Devaiah), and Inspector Kailash Parghi (Sohum Shah)—become suspicious that a serial killer is on the loose. Their investigation leads them to Anand Sawnakar (Vijay Varma), a seemingly innocuous man who teaches Hindi literature at a girls’ school. But the question is whether he is capable of such a heinous act. If so, what is the reason? If not, who is the actual perpetrator? What follows is a riveting cat-and-mouse chase between a seasoned criminal and an underdog officer, as Bhaati seeks evidence before another innocent woman loses her life.
Created by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar (who has co-written it with Ritesh Shah), the plot does not waste time revealing the killer’s identity. This, however, never detracts from the show’s persistently grim and brutal narrative, which concentrates on the anatomy of the killer’s mind as much as his crime. Each episode is approximately 55 minutes long, and the drama’s fundamental theme is caste discrimination. For instance, Anjali Bhaati, who belongs to the backward class, is not allowed to enter the homes of the higher crust. Countless other encounters remind the audience that such discrimination still exists, which is unfortunate but real.
Dahaad brings up something we’ve seen in various Indian dramas like Raveena Tandon’s Aranyak and Dhrashti Dhami’s Duranga, among others. Like these shows, many characters are introduced and seen across the first few episodes, simmering in their own worlds until they are brought together. While certain elements are presented in the first episode, other characters come in as the story unfolds. And the political subplot concerning caste prejudice and using people as scapegoats serve no function other than to muddle the narrative.
This crime drama scores big with its fast-paced developments, revelations, and strong performances. Sonakshi Sinha's performance as the titular character is a sure winner in her OTT debut, thanks to her restrained acting. Her upright demeanour and consistent martial art practice complement her character, who is on the hunt for the suspect. As other officers, Gulshan Devaiah and Sohum Shah exhibit promise. The wickedness and perversion of Vijay Varma’s character are highlighted by his devious tone and eerie expressions. He is equally compelling as a middle-class married man struggling to make ends meet and as a serial killer with unresolved father issues.
Shot in various parts of Rajasthan, Tanay Satam’s cinematography beautifully captures the rustic villages, bringing realism to the drama. Even the Rajasthani dialect used by the entire cast as a common language lends authenticity to the narrative. The original score by Gaurav Raina and Tarana Marwah blends well too.
If the roughly hour-long episodes would have been given a tighter edit, this show would have easily been a binge-worthy drama. However, what sets Dahaad apart is its crisp writing and roaring performances, which make it an engaging watch.
IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS
Our overall critic’s rating is not an average of the sub scores below.
