Crime Beat Review: Sudhir Mishra’s crime drama falters with underwhelming performances from Saqib Saleem and Saba Azad

Crime beat review

Fast-paced but lacking depth

‘Crime Beat’ brings together a stellar cast but fails to live up to its potential. With eight episodes, each running for about 30 minutCrime beat reviewes, the series moves at a rapid pace, ensuring that events unfold quickly. However, this brisk narration comes at a cost—many key moments feel rushed and underdeveloped.

The series attempts to incorporate real-life incidents that shook the country over a decade ago, but instead of adding authenticity, these references seem forced. While the premise has promise, the execution often feels implausible, making the show more of a sensationalized thriller than a grounded crime drama.

A reporter’s struggles and a criminal’s ambitions

The plot of ‘Crime Beat’ follows Abhishek Sinha (Saqib Saleem), a young reporter from Varanasi with dreams of making it big in Delhi’s competitive media landscape. He understands that front-page bylines are the key to success, and he doesn’t hesitate to bend the rules. When he secures a job at a leading daily publication, under the mentorship of Amir Akhtar (Danish Hussain), he believes his breakthrough is near. However, he soon realizes that Amir, instead of supporting him, acts as a barrier to his investigative work.

On the other side of the story is Binny Chaudhary (Rahul Bhatt), a feared kidnapper and extortionist who harbours political aspirations. Initially hiding in Afghanistan, Binny is forced to return to India due to an extradition treaty. Before surrendering, he strikes secret deals with politicians to secure his future. His complex history with Amir and DCP Uday (Rajesh Tailang) adds intrigue to the plot.

Performances: Strengths and shortcomings

The show benefits from a strong ensemble cast. Danish Hussain stands out as Amir Akhtar, delivering a nuanced performance as a seasoned editor who will go to any length for a good story. His commanding presence makes him one of the show’s most compelling characters. Adinath Kothare, as DCP Mayank, also delivers a well-balanced performance, particularly in his scenes with Saqib Saleem’s character. Sai Tamhankar, playing Archana Pandey aka ‘Heroine,’ a key accomplice of Binny, impresses with her confidence and charm, adding an extra layer of intrigue.

However, the lead performances fail to hit the mark. Saqib Saleem struggles to portray the vulnerabilities of a small-town reporter navigating Delhi’s ruthless media world. His overconfident persona does not align with the journey of a rookie journalist trying to establish credibility. Saba Azad, as Maya Mathur, a fellow journalist, is given an ill-sketched role, making her character feel unnecessary. Rahul Bhatt, though sincere as Binny Chaudhary, does not match the intensity he delivered in ‘Black Warrant.’

Where fiction overpowers reality

Based on Somnath Batabyal’s novel ‘The Price You Pay,’ ‘Crime Beat’ could have been a gripping crime thriller had it stayed closer to realism. Instead, the plot takes creative liberties that often make the plot feel unbelievable. The mentor-protégé dynamic between Amir Akhtar and Abhishek Sinha is exaggerated—no editor would give a rookie such leverage.

Sudhir Mishra, who serves as both the showrunner and co-director, manages to create moments of tension, but his signature raw and grounded storytelling is largely absent.  The show also relies on outdated stereotypes: Afghans are depicted riding horses, an editor openly drinks in his office, and a suspended DCP executes a hit at a politician’s behest. These elements might have worked a decade ago, but today, they feel out of place and lazy.

A missed opportunity for impact

One subplot of the series highlights the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam, showcasing how contractors inflated prices and looted the government exchequer. While this had the potential to be a powerful investigative angle, the show merely scratches the surface. For comparison, ‘Bates vs Post Office,’ a UK-based series aired on ITV last year, reignited a long-standing legal battle and even led to legislative action. If ‘Crime Beat’ had managed to spark a renewed interest in the CWG scam, it could have served a larger purpose. However, given its approach, that remains wishful thinking.

Verdict

Despite its fast-paced storytelling and strong supporting performances, ‘Crime Beat’ struggles to make a lasting impression. The exaggerated plotlines, outdated tropes, and lack of realism prevent it from becoming a truly gripping crime drama. It remains a watchable but ultimately underwhelming series.

Cast: Rahul Bhatt, Saqib Saleem, Sai Tamhankar, Rajesh Tailang, Danish Hussain, Saba Azad, and Adinath Kothare

Rating: 2.5/5

(Crime Beat is currently streaming on Zee5)