Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Tanuj Chopra, Netflix.
The international Emmy-winning drama series, Delhi Crime, is a discerning and commanding portrait of a city at war with itself.
The first season, written and directed by Richie Mehta in 2019, created history the following year by being the first ever Indian show to win the Emmy as it bagged the Best Drama Series title. The English-speaking production (with subtitles) follows the police force as they investigate high-profile crimes in India’s capital. This series has seasons inspired by both real and fictional events; an ominous gang, a city in panic.
The first season’s principal focus was on a blood-curdling crime that shook Delhi to the core. It is based on the 2012 Delhi gang rape case that took place in the neighbourhood of Munirka, in south Delhi. The series follows the story in the aftermath of the gang rape, where Deputy Commissioner of Police Vartika Chaturvedi (portrayed brilliantly by Shefali Shah) is tasked to find the culprits responsible for the assaults and subsequent death of the female victim.
Reprising their roles from Season 1 – Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal and Tillotama Shome – reveals a concentrated police procedural backdrop where an intensive effort etches the scope for the women. The trio leave a distinguishing reverberation about their sound capabilities, especially when it comes to dealing with psychological and emotional strife of varying degrees.
The five episodes in Season 2, which also stars Adil Hussain and Rajesh Tailang, follow a gang of killers who are responsible for the brutal murders of senior citizens in Delhi.
Tense and spellbinding, Delhi Crime S2 also takes a deep dive into the lives of the key members of the police team. It delves into the challenges that the cops must face up to and conquer, both on the work front and at home, as they probe a spate of gruesome murders that trigger a wave of panic.
Policing a city like this one is a complex task. As the DCP explains: “We can’t police the lifestyles of the wealthy, nor the aspirations of the less privileged. Sometimes, amidst this conflict, we encounter criminals and criminal activities that are beyond our comprehension. These criminals are brutal and they’re roaming free.”
“This is a smart gang, a younger generation, more brutal, more aggressive. Unfortunately, we seldom understand why people commit these kinds of crimes. Even the criminals can’t explain it when we ask. But there are no answers in the eyes of a killer.”
