Crime Beat Review: Sudhir Mishra’s Crime Drama Falls Short Despite a Promising Premise

Fast-Paced but Lacking Depth

Sudhir Mishra’s latest crime thriller, Crime Beat, boasts a powerful ensemble cast and a gripping premise. However, its exaggerated plotlines and lack of realism prevent it from delivering the impact it promises. While the eight-episode series keeps viewers engaged with its rapid narrative, it ultimately feels rushed and underdeveloped.

A Reporter’s Struggles and a Criminal’s Ambitions

The story revolves around Abhishek Sinha (Saqib Saleem), a small-town journalist from Varanasi aiming to carve a name for himself in Delhi’s competitive media world. Under the mentorship of Amir Akhtar (Danish Hussain), he expects to make waves but soon realizes that Amir is more of an obstacle than a guide. Meanwhile, the show introduces Binny Chaudhary (Rahul Bhatt), a notorious kidnapper with political aspirations, who maneuvers his way back to India from Afghanistan through secret deals with politicians. The intersection of their stories forms the crux of the show.

Performances: A Mixed Bag

Danish Hussain shines as Amir Akhtar, embodying the sharp and morally ambiguous editor with conviction. Adinath Kothare (DCP Mayank) and Sai Tamhankar (Archana Pandey aka ‘Heroine’) also deliver commendable performances, adding depth to the narrative.

However, the lead actors fail to make an impact. Saqib Saleem’s portrayal of a struggling journalist lacks the vulnerability required for his character’s journey. Saba Azad, as Maya Mathur, is underutilized and her role feels unnecessary. Rahul Bhatt, despite his efforts, does not match the intensity he demonstrated in Black Warrant.

Where Fiction Overpowers Reality

Based on Somnath Batabyal’s novel The Price You Pay, Crime Beat could have been a gripping crime drama had it adhered to realism. Instead, it takes excessive creative liberties that weaken its credibility. The mentor-protégé dynamic between Amir and Abhishek is exaggerated, and outdated stereotypes, such as Afghans on horseback and a drunken editor, make parts of the show feel outdated.

A Missed Opportunity

One of the more intriguing subplots of the series revolves around the 2010 Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam. However, rather than exploring it in depth, the show merely brushes the surface. Unlike investigative dramas like Bates vs Post Office, which led to real-world action, Crime Beat misses the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Verdict

Despite strong supporting performances and a compelling premise, Crime Beat struggles to leave a mark. Its reliance on clichés, implausible twists, and underwhelming lead performances make it a watchable but forgettable addition to the crime thriller genre.

Rating: 2.5/5

(Crime Beat is currently streaming on Zee5.)