Daldal review: Bhumi Pednekar powers a dark cop drama let down by repetition

Bhumi Pednekar stars in Daldal

• Daldal is a gritty crime series streaming on Prime Video since January 30
• Bhumi Pednekar excels as ACP Rita, but the plot feels repetitive and predictable.
• Strong performances and tone, but slow pace and repetition weaken the impact

Did our AI summary help?

‘Daldal,’ directed by Amrit Raj Gupta, began streaming on Prime Video on 30 January and stars Bhumi Pednekar, Samara Tijori, Aditya Rawal, Geeta Agrawal, and Sandesh Kulkarni.

Gritty roots, familiar ground

‘Daldal’ is a gritty crime series and is the kind of show that pulls you in early and forces you to keep watching, even though the pace is unhurried. Among the many realistic police procedurals that have arrived on streaming platforms in recent years, ‘Daldal’ manages to carve out its own space. A big reason for its appeal is the solid performances and the believable dynamics between police officers, which feel grounded and authentic. But the early excitement lasts only for the first two episodes. After that, the series starts repeating itself and moves in circles. That said, while the series is engaging, its slow rhythm can test patience, and the final reveal does not land with the impact it promises. The show revolves around a serial killer whose crimes follow a repetitive pattern, with each murder unfolding in a similar manner.

A driven cop and a case that spirals

The story centers on ACP Rita Ferreira (Bhumi Pednekar), a strict, no-nonsense officer for whom work comes before everything else. Smiles are rare, and she continues to carry the weight of childhood trauma shaped by a harsh, disciplinarian mother. As she stands on the brink of a promotion, the commissioner of police, driven by optics and public goodwill, elevates four women officers to the rank of DCP, with Rita being one of them. Trouble begins when Manohar Swamy (Ananth Narayan Mahadevan), an elderly man, is found brutally murdered while feeding stray dogs on a beach, his phone stuffed into his mouth. The pressure intensifies when Edward Fernando (Mehul Dinesh Buch), a caretaker at a juvenile home, is killed soon after. With more murders following, the investigation turns into a race against time.

Strong start, fading momentum

The series does not rely on suspense in the conventional sense. The identity of the killer is revealed fairly early, and the narrative then shifts focus to the methods Rita uses to trap the criminal. Based on Vish Dhamija’s novel ‘Bhendi Bazaar,’ ‘Daldal’ starts on a strong note when Bhumi’s character lays a trap and rescues young girls from a red-light area in Mumbai. It’s a tough, gritty scene that sets the tone for the series, but it struggles to maintain that momentum in later episodes. The early portions effectively highlight the gender bias Rita faces within the department and explore themes of toxic masculinity. It also shows how she is used by her seniors as a symbolic figure to score political and professional points. Once the murders take center stage, though, the storytelling becomes repetitive, with the same investigative beats playing out again and again.

A chase without real suspense

Instead of deepening the mystery, the series settles into a prolonged cat-and-mouse chase between the cop and the killer. It also leaves important emotional threads underexplored, especially the bond between Anita Acharya and Sajid, the two killers. Their closeness is never fully explained, which weakens the emotional logic of their actions. Anita’s character, in particular, suffers from inconsistency, and this uneven writing affects the overall experience. Despite these flaws, ‘Daldal’ benefits greatly from its performances. Bhumi Pednekar delivers a strong and committed performance as Rita Ferreira. It is a demanding role that rarely offers the audience any relief, and she hits all the right notes, though the writing does not always support her effort.

Also Read: Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web Review: A compelling crime tale lifted by Emraan Hashmi, weighed down by gloss

Performances rise above the writing

Samara Tijori, playing Anita Acharya, brings honesty to her role, though there are moments when the performance feels slightly excessive. Aditya Rawal is convincing as Sajid, Anita’s partner, capturing the vulnerability and recklessness of a troubled addict. The supporting cast leaves the strongest impression. Geeta Agarwal shines as Indu Mhatre, Rita’s assistant, delivering a performance that feels raw and real, while Chinmay Mandlekar adds depth as suspended cop Vikram Sathe. Visually and tonally, ‘Daldal’ feels authentic, but as the story moves forward, it slowly loses its grip. The plot becomes predictable, and the outcome is easy to foresee. What keeps the series afloat are the performances and the gritty tone established in the opening episodes. ‘Daldal’ remains a good show, with a gripping beginning that instantly draws you in. But the sluggish pace and narrative repetition ultimately hold it back from reaching its full potential.

Rating: 3/5