What Is the Story About?
Delhi Crime season two focuses on another gruesome crime in the capital. This time it is the Kaccha-Baniyan gang. How DCP Vartika Chaturvedi (Shefali Shah) catches the real criminals is the crime drama’s core premise.
Performances?
Shefali Shah once again relives the part of Vartika Chaturvedi that won her lots of laurels. She plays the sophisticated, urban, but tough police officer with a lot of intensity and grace. The way she handles herself in the most tiring of circumstances makes the part stand out. Then there are small, simple moments that further make Shefali sign as a performer.
The rest of the cast, comprising the team members heading the investigation, is well cast. Most of them, Rajesh Tailang, Rasika Duggal, Adil Hussain, Anurag Arora, and Gopal Dutt, are reprising their parts. They have group chemistry, a necessary element in an investigating drama in a police officer’s team.
Tillotama Shome and the gang, which are newly cast, are acceptable. Shome gets a critical moment highlighting the series’ theme. She does well in that bit.
Analysis
Richie Mehta, who wrote and directed Delhi Crime, is the creator of the new season. Tanuj Chopra directs the series, which focuses on another real crime incident.
The narrative begins on a formulaic note. There is the crime, and then the police go through the investigation and find the clues. The presence or the lack-off (clues) takes the proceedings forward with high-level pressure mounting on them, courtesy of an internal media leak.
Everything looks work-as-usual for a crime drama until we get to the actual criminals. The introduction of the tribal angle (De-Notified Tribes) brings the missing compelling element. The way the police treat them, the interaction between DCP and the lawyer representing them etc., is the high point of the series.
The core theme of law acting differently to different people is neatly brought out. The outburst of Vartika on one of the females and the later turmoil over a press conference announcing the culprits are gripping and engagingly done.
But, there is more to Delhi Crime, and things take a new turn. There is a mixed feeling initially, and it cements as the whole narrative turns out to be a regular police investigation drama. On that score, it is well done, but it feels merely procedural, ticking the boxes type after a point.
Although a couple of individual subplots provide depth to the character in question, they add to the length. They could have been trimmed for a touter narrative. Similarly, the scenes involving talks between different level officers are cliched.
However, the ending again presents a poignant point from the criminal’s perspective. Not every criminal has remorse, and there are no closures all the time hits home the point. Could the same thing have been brought out in a better way – it is the question that stays in our minds. But, these philosophical musings make Delhi Crime a slightly better outing than other stuff in a similar space.
Overall, Delhi Crime Season two is undoubtedly intriguing but less compelling than its predecessor. The performances, writing and execution make it a good watch, nonetheless. Give it a try if you like crime dramas based on true incidents, and don’t mind the slow pace.
Music and Other Departments?
Ceiri Torjussen’s background score is ideally in tune with the darker proceedings. The score isn’t continuous, and there are a lot of pauses, but when it’s there, it aids the flow well.
David Bolen’s cinematography follows the same gritty realism of the first season. It is superb for the chosen style and further adds to the drama. Manas Mittal’s editing is neat. There is a slick presentation despite the slow pace. The small moments are showcased precisely. However, it still feels lengthy at some points, though. The writing is to the point and impactful without overdoing it for drama’s sake.
Highlights?
Story
Casting
Performances
Drawbacks?
Slow Pace
Formulaic In Parts
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, With Reservations
Delhi Crime Season 2 Web Series Review – by Binged Bureau
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
