Review: Daldal: Genuine But Inadequate

 

Movie: Daldal
Rating: 2.5/5

Cast: Bhumi Pednekar, Aditya Rawal, Samara Tijori, Geeta Agarwal Sharma, and others

Director: Amrit Raj Gupta 

Produced By: Abundatia Entertainment

Streaming On: Prime Video

Story:

After solving a child trafficking case, Rita Ferreira becomes the youngest DCP of Mumbai. She is soon tasked with investigating a brutal serial killer while battling her own personal trauma and dealing with colleagues who try to undermine her work.

Performances:

Bhumi Pednekar delivers a committed performance as Rita Ferreira. Her intent is clear in every scene, though at times she appears more rigid than necessary. Aditya Rawal impresses with a natural performance, perfectly capturing the vulnerability of his character. Samara Tijori shines in an intriguing role, bringing intensity and effectiveness to her portrayal. Geeta Agarwal Sharma adds emotional depth in a strong supporting role.

What Works:

Series creator Suresh Triveni and director Amrit Raj Gupta aim to deliver an unsettling crime thriller, and they succeed in parts. The show incorporates all the essential elements, such as haunting visuals, bloody imagery, drugs, trafficking, and psychological tension. It begins strongly, with some moving emotional moments scattered throughout. The climax sequences also land well, and the performances from the main cast elevate the series.

What Doesn’t Work:

The attempt to show Rita’s inner struggle feels forced and exhausting rather than natural. Over time, the mix of psychological trauma and crime incidents becomes cliché, making the series predictable. The tension around the victims is weak, and the murders eventually serve more as shock value than genuine suspense.

Daldal Web Series Review And Verdict:

Daldal is a sincere attempt at a gripping crime thriller. It benefits from strong performances and a few well-written moments, but struggles with uneven execution and slow pacing.