Dabba Cartel Review: Shabana Azmi Leads The Charge In This Power-Packed Entertainer
Dabba Cartel review: This series is a refreshing take on the crime genre. With brilliant performances, especially from Shabana Azmi, and a gripping storyline, it’s a must-watch for fans of crime thrillers.
Dabba Cartel review: Over the years, countless films and series have explored the world of drug mafias, but they’ve mostly followed the same formula—a male villain at the center, with a few glamorous women in the background. However, Netflix’s latest series ‘Dabba Cartel’ flips the script, placing women at the helm of the drug business. And leading the charge with undeniable authority is veteran actress Shabana Azmi, who delivers a powerhouse performance. One of her most striking moments in the series comes when she tells a drug dealer, “The product might be yours, but the market is mine,” making it clear that in this game, the women reign supreme.
Dabba Cartel plot
The story revolves around a group of women, each driven by desperation and the need for financial security. Some work as domestic help, others need money for their unborn children, and some are struggling to expand their businesses. Fate brings them together, and they start smuggling drugs hidden in food containers. What begins as a temporary solution to their financial woes soon entangles them in a web they cannot escape. As their involvement deepens, their lives spiral into chaos. The seven-episode series, each episode running approximately 50 minutes, unravels their journey into the dark underbelly of the drug trade.
How is Dabba Cartel?
The series starts off at a slow pace, with the first episode serving as more of a setup than an attention-grabber. However, things pick up significantly from the second episode onward. The real turning point comes with the entry of Shabana Azmi, who brings an electrifying presence to the screen. By the third episode, as the women establish their ‘Dabba Cartel,’ the series becomes thoroughly engaging. It’s rare to see a crime thriller entirely led by female characters, and the show does an exceptional job of giving each one their due. The performances are solid across the board, with no weak links in the cast. Even the male characters are well-fleshed-out, adding depth to the narrative rather than overshadowing the leads. Despite Shabana Azmi’s commanding performance, the series ensures that all characters have ample space to shine. However, the subplot involving a pharmaceutical company manufacturing drugs under the guise of medicine feels slightly stretched, especially when the female-led narrative is far more compelling.
Performances
One of the biggest strengths of the series is its stellar cast. Shabana Azmi is outstanding, effortlessly portraying a woman who commands fear with just a glance. Every scene she appears in is riveting. Jyotika delivers a strong performance, embodying the spirit of women who strive for independence. Nimisha Bindu is convincing as a domestic worker caught up in circumstances beyond her control. Shalini Pandey gives one of her best performances yet as a pregnant woman determined to do whatever it takes for her child’s future. Anjali Anand holds her own, while Sai Tamhankar shines as a police officer underestimated by her superiors. In recent times, Sai has been consistently delivering impressive performances, and this is no exception. Lillete Dubey adds weight to the series, while Gajraj Rao effortlessly leaves a mark despite being surrounded by a predominantly female cast. Jisshu Sengupta and Bhupendra Singh deliver solid performances, and Sunil Grover makes a lasting impact with his appearance towards the end.
Direction and writing
The series is penned by Shibani Akhtar, Gaurav Kapoor, Bhavna Kher, Vishnu Menon, and Akanksha Seda, while Hitesh Bhatia takes the director’s chair. The writing team deserves praise for crafting well-rounded characters and ensuring that each one has their moment to shine. The dialogues aren’t just dramatic for the sake of it; they also touch upon deeper themes related to women’s struggles. Despite having a screen legend like Shabana Azmi, the writers ensure that the supporting cast is equally compelling—a testament to both strong writing and direction.
Final verdict
This series is a refreshing take on the crime genre, proving that women can dominate even the grittiest of narratives. With brilliant performances, especially from Shabana Azmi, and a gripping storyline, it’s a must-watch for fans of crime thrillers. While the pacing takes a little time to build, once it finds its rhythm, it’s an absolute treat to watch.
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