Dabba Cartel Web Series Review: A Gripping Tale of Crime, Women, and Resilience

A Unique Spin on Crime Drama

Dabba Cartel revolves around five women from diverse backgrounds who come together under unlikely circumstances to form a drug cartel. The series kicks off with a pharmaceutical scandal involving VivaLife a company embroiled in controversy over an unregulated opioid called Modella. When a high-profile accident exposes the banned drug Food and Drugs Safety Officer Ajit Pathak (Gajraj Rao) launches an investigation, unraveling a web of corruption and crime. Parallel to this, Raji (Shalini Pandey) a chef running a small tiffin service with her maid Mala (Nimisha Sajayan), stumbles into the drug trade. They are joined by Sheila (Shabana Azmi) a retired criminal with ties to crime boss Haji Mastan Varuna (Jyotika) a former CFO of VivaLife, and Shahida (Anjali Anand) a property broker. Together they use their dabba service as a front to smuggle drugs navigating betrayals rival gangs and law enforcement in a high-stakes game of survival.

The premise is intriguing blending the mundane world of tiffin delivery with the dangerous underbelly of drug trafficking. The narrative alternates between the corporate conspiracy at VivaLife and the personal struggles of these women, creating a dual storyline that keeps viewers hooked. While the series draws comparisons to Breaking Bad for its drug-centric plot it carves its own identity by grounding the story in Indian socio-cultural contexts particularly the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society.

Performances: A Stellar Cast Shines Bright

Shabana Azmi as Sheila Jagtap

Shabana Azmi steals the show as Sheila the fiery queenpin with a dark past. Her commanding presence and nuanced portrayal make her the emotional and narrative anchor of the series. Azmi conveys Sheila’s steely resolve and vulnerability through subtle expressions and body language reminding viewers of her legacy in Indian cinema. Her character’s connection to the infamous crime boss Haji Mastan adds depth and her scenes exude a chess-not-checkers intensity that keeps you glued to the screen.

Jyotika as Varuna Dasgupta

Jyotika delivers a compelling performance as Varuna, a former CFO grappling with a failing marriage and societal expectations. Her portrayal of a woman torn between domesticity and ambition is both relatable and powerful. Jyotika’s chemistry with the other female leads particularly Nimisha Sajayan adds a layer of authenticity to the group dynamics. However some viewers have noted that her performance occasionally feels restrained possibly due to uneven writing in certain episodes.

Nimisha Sajayan as Mala

Nimisha Sajayan shines as Mala a domestic worker with an unshakable will to provide a better life for her daughter. Her fiery portrayal of a marginalized woman fighting for respect is one of the series’ highlights. Sajayan’s ability to balance vulnerability and defiance makes Mala a standout character and her arc as the catalyst for the drug cartel is both poignant and gripping.

Shalini Pandey as Raji Jagtap

Shalini Pandey, known for Arjun Reddy, plays Raji a chef caught between duty and desperation. While her performance is convincing, some reviews suggest that she struggles to hold her own against veterans like Azmi and Jyotika. Her character’s arc feels slightly underdeveloped with shades of her previous roles lingering but she still manages to deliver key emotional moments effectively.

Anjali Anand as Shahida

Anjali Anand brings charm to Shahida a broker entangled in the cartel. Her performance is engaging, though her chemistry with Sai Tamhankar’s Preeti in an LGBTQ+ subplot feels underdeveloped due to patchy writing. Nonetheless Anand’s screen presence adds a layer of relatability to the ensemble.

Supporting Cast

Gajraj Rao is a delight as Ajit Pathak, the no-nonsense drug enforcement officer. His cat-and-mouse game with the cartel and VivaLife executives keeps the investigative thread engaging. The supporting cast including Bhupendra Jadawat, Jisshu Sengupta and Lillete Dubey also delivers solid performances adding depth to the sprawling narrative.

Direction and Writing: A Mixed Bag

Directed by Hitesh Bhatia, known for Sharmaji Namkeen Dabba Cartel excels in creating a vivid world that captures Mumbai’s gritty charm. Eeshit Narain’s cinematography with its depiction of bustling alleys and monsoon-soaked streets, enhances the series’ authenticity. The funky soundtrack by Gaurav Raina and Tarana Marwah complements the narrative’s edgy tone, making it visually and aurally appealing.

However the writing is where Dabba Cartel falters at times. The series ambitiously juggles multiple threads corporate conspiracy, personal drama and the drug trade but struggles to maintain a consistent pace. Some subplots like the LGBTQ+ track involving Shahida and Preeti feel forced and lack depth. Certain characters such as Chavan are introduced with promise but fade into the background, leaving loose ends. The dialogue occasionally veers into melodrama and the amateurish approach of the main characters while contextually fitting sometimes dilutes the tension expected from a crime thriller. Despite these flaws the writers succeed in crafting a character-driven story that prioritizes the emotional journeys of its female leads making it more than just a plot-driven crime saga.

Themes and Social Commentary: Women in the Spotlight

What sets Dabba Cartel apart from other crime dramas is its focus on female empowerment and societal biases. The series cleverly uses the tiffin service as a metaphor for the domestic roles women are often confined to in Indian society. By subverting this stereotype the show portrays its female leads as complex individuals navigating ambition survival and patriarchy. The narrative highlights how these women deemed “invisible” by society use their perceived insignificance as a weapon to build a drug empire.

The series also touches on themes of class disparity with Mala’s arc emphasizing the struggles of marginalized communities. Sheila’s dark past and Varuna’s crumbling marriage reflect the personal costs of ambition while Raji’s journey underscores the tension between familial duty and personal agency. The pharmaceutical scandal serves as a critique of corporate greed drawing parallels to real-world issues in India’s healthcare system. However the show’s attempt to weave social commentary into a crime thriller occasionally feels heavy-handed particularly in scenes that lean too heavily on expository dialogue.

Comparisons to Other Crime Dramas

Dabba Cartel inevitably draws comparisons to Breaking Bad due to its drug-centric premise and the transformation of ordinary individuals into criminals. However unlike the polished intensity of Breaking Bad Dabba Cartel adopts a more grounded culturally specific approach. The use of the dabba service as a front is a novel twist but the execution lacks the finesse of global crime sagas like Narcos. Some reviews liken it to Indian series like Paatal Lok and Black Warrant but Dabba Cartel struggles to match their narrative consistency. Its strength lies in its female-led perspective a rarity in the genre making it a refreshing addition to Indian streaming content.

Why You Should Watch Dabba Cartel

Despite its flaws Dabba Cartel is a must-watch for fans of crime thrillers and character-driven dramas. Its female-led narrative, stellar cast and unique premise make it a standout in the crowded Indian streaming space. The series offers a glimpse into the lives of women navigating a patriarchal society while dabbling in the dangerous world of crime making it both relatable and thrilling. With a runtime of seven episodes each around 45 minutes it’s a binge-worthy watch that keeps you hooked especially with its promising finale that sets the stage for a potential second season.

A Thrilling Yet Flawed Ride

Dabba Cartel is a bold and ambitious addition to India’s crime drama landscape. Its female-led narrative, powerful performances and unique premise make it a compelling watch, despite its uneven pacing and patchy writing. The series excels as a character study offering a fresh perspective on women’s resilience and survival in a male-dominated world. While it doesn’t always match the polish of global crime sagas its cultural specificity and emotional depth make it a standout. Whether you’re a fan of crime thrillers or looking for a series that celebrates women’s empowerment Dabba Cartel is worth a binge. With a cliffhanger finale hinting at a second season this Netflix gem is one to watch in 2025.