There is a stark difference between Delhi Crime Season 1 and 2 in terms of how it is treated and in the pitch of its drama. Based on the Nirbhaya case, the first season was more of a procedural thriller that presented the nuances of a realistic police investigation. Regarding season 2, the series is a bit loud in terms of drama. But the positive I felt was how it had a perspective from the criminal’s side, which led to many political readings.
The new season has a new case in front of DCP Vartika Chaturvedi. One day she wakes up to the news that multiple murders have happened in a posh area of Delhi. While they checked the premises, they realized that the modus operandi of the criminals was similar to the infamous Chaddi Baniyan gang, who were very active in the ’90s. The efforts of the Delhi Police to find the culprits with all sorts of political pressure around them is what we see in Season 2 of Delhi Crime.
The first season directed by Richie Mehta had the solid foundation of an actual incident, and it was more like watching a docu-fiction. The handheld camera angles and the gloomy frames created a realistic texture to the whole series. But in season 2, you can see the sensibilities changing, and the events are more dramatic than real. I was a bit skeptical about this tone shift in the first two episodes. But around the third episode, when the series started addressing the privileged society’s inherent judgemental perspective, season 2 began to fit into the universe set by Richie Mehta. In fact, the intent to be political is strong in season 2, and Tanuj Chopra makes sure that it doesn’t stick out. There is a moment when Vartika apologizes to an individual for being insensitive. Even when the real culprits are revealed, it is also showing another dimension of exploitation.
Shefali Shah, as the righteous and strict DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, is brilliant. Finding a balance between the many layers of that character is a tough one, and you will empathize with Vartika for dealing with all that stress. Rajesh Tailang was really good as the committed man-Friday of Vartika. Along with Tailang, Rasika Dugal also gets to explore the personal side of her character in a better way in season 2. And the screenplay uses those tracks to have a discourse about gender politics. Anurag Arora, Gopal Dutt, Adil Hussain, and a few more reprise their role from the earlier season. Sanjiv Chopra as that retired police officer with corrupt history, looked convincing, and it was fascinating to see Tilotama Shome in a new unapologetic avatar. Danish Hussain’s portrayal of the lawyer was also impressive.
The serial killer element is something that could have easily ruined the humane texture the first season had created for the show. But Tanuj Chopra and his writers know that they should push the story to a different level with the new season, and they managed to achieve that without making it too much gory just for the sake of it. And if you look at it, just like season 1, the finding culprit part is not a cinematic thing here. When the Sanjiv Chopra character behaves the way he does, we kind of understand the privilege we enjoy without any sort of spoon-feeding. Even the educational bit of caste-based discrimination in the scenes featuring Danish Hussain blends in with the whole narrative smoothly. The episodic structure is also keeping in mind the flow of the story. The cinematography has a warmer and steadier feel this time. The mood they have set visually somewhere reminded me of Ram Madhvani’s Aarya.
Delhi Crime Season 2 is a successor that dares to try something different without losing the essence of the world that has already been created. The intriguing police investigation that looks practical and raw on screen yet again makes this series a compelling watch.
Delhi Crime Season 2 is a successor that dares to try something different without losing the essence of the world that has already been created.
Green: Recommended Content
Orange: The In-Between Ones
Red: Not Recommended
