Janaawar — The Beast Within Review: A raw, uneven but engaging crime thriller

Janaawar review

‘Janaawar – The Beast Within,’ directed by Shachindra Vats, began streaming on Zee5 from 26th September and stars Bhuvan Arora, Atul Kale, Bhagwan Tiwari, Vaibhav Yashvir, and Badrul Islam.

A small town hides big secrets

‘Janaawar — The Beast Within’ is a crime drama set in the fictional town of Chhand in Chhattisgarh. The series may look a bit rough around the edges at times, but it manages to hold your attention with a suspenseful story that mixes crime and identity.

The show succeeds in capturing the feel of the town, with a cast that fits naturally into the local setting. While it is a crime drama, the real strength lies in the suspense, which keeps you guessing until the end. Its short episodes only make ‘Janaawar’ succeed in pulling viewers in and keeping them invested.

Its depiction of a small-town police station and the people connected to it adds an earthy authenticity that many crime dramas set in big cities often miss.

Mystery and mayhem in Chhand

The story revolves around a local police station in Chhand. Sub-Inspector Hemant Kumar (Bhuvan Arora), belonging to the marginalized community, works under Inspector Dayanand (Atul Kale) at the chowki.

When a decomposed body is found in the nearby forest, panic spreads among both the locals and the police. The situation escalates when MLA Jagtap (Alok Mishra) reports his missing brother, suspected to be the body found in the forest.

DSP Anirudh Pathak (Bhagwan Tiwari) orders the police to solve the case quickly. Things take a darker turn when the body’s head goes missing and another dead body appears, raising the stakes for everyone involved.

The investigation brings the officers face-to-face with the town’s hidden hierarchies, local politics, and age-old superstitions, making the case as much about understanding the town as it is about catching the culprit.

Suspense, bias and tradition collide

The series succeeds in creating tension and urgency, which are crucial for crime dramas. It explores social biases, marginalized communities, and traditions deeply rooted in the town. A striking moment occurs when a police officer discovers that food offered at a temple contains goat’s blood, sparking his outrage.

These layers add realism to the story and highlight the complex social dynamics of the town. The show also touches on the pressures faced by law enforcement officers, caught between political expectations and moral duty.

While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, its short episodes make it a compact, engaging watch. The interplay between suspenseful investigation and local flavour creates a texture that makes ‘Janaawar’ more than just another procedural thriller.

Strong, realistic cast

Bhuvan Arora as Inspector Hemant delivers a sincere performance, balancing the pressures of solving a high-stakes crime while dealing with personal challenges at home. Atul Kale as Inspector Dayanand provides a steady, calm presence, while Bhagwan Tiwari’s DSP Pathak stands out as the strict, no-nonsense authority figure.

Badrul Islam as Kailash, the chai wallah, adds subtle depth to the ensemble. The supporting cast also deserves credit for making the police station feel alive. Each character feels authentic, and the town itself almost becomes another character, shaped by caste, beliefs, and everyday life. Small gestures and naturalistic dialogues enhance the sense of realism and keep viewers invested in the story.

Also Read: Bhuvan Arora talks about playing a cop in Janaawar – The Beast Within: 'Meditation really helped me for this character'... | Exclusive

An honest attempt despite the flaws

‘Janaawar’ has its flaws, such as tonal shifts and occasionally convenient plot turns, but it remains an honest attempt at a suspenseful crime drama. It manages to keep the audience engaged through its atmosphere, performances, and layered social commentary.

The short runtime of episodes makes it easy to binge, and the story lingers in your mind even after it ends. For viewers looking for a tense, small-town thriller that doesn’t overstay its welcome, ‘Janaawar’ delivers a satisfying experience. It shows that even modest productions can tell gripping, thoughtful stories if done with care.

The series also leaves you reflecting on the moral ambiguities and the pressures that shape human behaviour in small communities.

Rating: 3/5