Daldal Review: A Promising Premise Sinks in Contrived Plot Twists
Daldal, the new seven-episode serial killer thriller series streaming on Amazon Prime Video, opens with an intriguing premise that quickly gets mired in overly convoluted storytelling. Starring Bhumi Pednekar in the lead role, the show attempts to blend police procedural elements with dark personal dramas but ultimately struggles to maintain consistency.
Plot Overview: Mumbai's Latest Serial Killer Case
The series follows newly-appointed DCP Rita Ferreira (Bhumi Pednekar) as she encounters her first major case immediately after taking charge. A dog-feeder she meets casually is discovered dead with slit wrists and raw meat stuffed in his mouth. As her team investigates, they uncover a pattern of similar ritualistic killings targeting apparently respectable men across Mumbai.
Created by Suresh Triveni and directed by Amrit Raj Gupta, Daldal takes the unusual approach of revealing the killer early in the narrative. This creative choice shifts the focus from whodunit to how the investigation unfolds, but the execution falters as the plot progresses.
Performance Analysis: Pednekar's One-Note Portrayal
Bhumi Pednekar delivers a disappointingly morose performance as DCP Rita Ferreira. While her character has legitimate reasons for emotional conflict stemming from a dark past, Pednekar maintains a single emotional tone throughout most of the series. Only in one brief breakdown scene does she demonstrate the nuanced acting she's capable of, leaving viewers wanting more emotional range.
The supporting cast fares better with their material. Samara Tijori as a journalist with mysterious knowledge and Aditya Rawal as a drug addict with old connections bring much-needed intrigue to their scenes. Geeta Agrawal Sharma as Ferreira's good-natured junior officer and Vibhawari Deshpande in a small but impactful role about maternal damage both make strong impressions with limited screen time.
Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses
When Daldal functions as a straightforward police procedural based on Vish Dhamija's book Bhendi Bazaar, it remains engaging and believable. The initial investigation sequences establish tension effectively, and the procedural elements feel authentic.
However, the series begins to unravel as multiple subplots compete for attention:
- Paedophilia and drug abuse themes introduced with varying degrees of success
- A red light area storyline involving an encounters specialist and Russian sex worker
- Office politics with a resentful colleague (Chinmay Mandlekar) and a manipulative boss (Sandesh Kulkarni)
- Exploration of how unfulfilled women can harm their daughters
- A well-intentioned man's struggle with unfixable addiction problems
As these elements accumulate, the narrative becomes increasingly contrived, with bizarre plot developments that strain credibility. What begins as a promising thriller devolves into eye-roll inducing melodrama by the later episodes.
Technical and Creative Elements
The series benefits from competent direction and production values that capture Mumbai's atmosphere effectively. The cinematography establishes appropriate mood, and the editing maintains reasonable pacing through the seven episodes.
Where Daldal falters most significantly is in its writing. The character development remains superficial for most principals, and the plot twists feel manufactured rather than organic. The decision to reveal the killer early could have been innovative but instead removes crucial suspense from the narrative.
Final Verdict: Missed Potential
Daldal represents another entry in India's growing catalog of serial killer thrillers, following similar themes explored in shows like Mrs Deshpande starring Madhuri Dixit. While the premise shows initial promise and the supporting cast delivers strong performances, Bhumi Pednekar's limited emotional range and the increasingly contrived plot developments prevent the series from achieving its potential.
The show earns 2 out of 5 stars for its intriguing setup and capable supporting performances, but ultimately fails to deliver a consistently compelling thriller experience. Viewers seeking well-crafted crime procedurals might find better options elsewhere in the streaming landscape.
