Dahaad - 2023

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Dahaad, translated as Roar, is a Hindi-language crime thriller web series created by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar, directed by Reema Kagti and Ruchika Oberoi, and starring Sonakshi Sinha, Gulshan Devaiah, Vijay Varma, and Sohum Shah. The series is inspired by the real-life story of Mohan Kumar, infamously known as Cyanide Mohan, a serial killer who preyed on women seeking marriage. Set in Mandawa, a small village in Rajasthan, the story revolves around Sub-Inspector Anjali Bhaati, played by Sonakshi Sinha, who uncovers clues about a serial killer on the loose and embarks on an intense mission to solve the case. Making history as the first Indian web series to premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, Dahaad earned positive reviews and was released on Amazon Prime Video on May 12, 2023. The series deftly combines a thrilling crime drama with a grounded narrative that sheds light on caste and gender discrimination within Indian society.

Table of contents

• Details
• Plot 
• Release
• Episodes
• Casting
• Crew
• Character Analysis 
• Spoilers
• Behind The Scenes
• Reviews
• Awards
• How to book a personalised Celebrity Message similar from Dahaad on Tring

Details 

Plot

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Dahaad is a crime thriller set in the small Rajasthani village of Mandawa. The series unravels through the eyes of Sub-Inspector Anjali Bhaati, played by Sonakshi Sinha, who stumbles upon a serial killer's horrifying pattern. The victims - impoverished, unmarried women from lower castes - have all died from cyanide poisoning the day after they eloped.

Despite societal biases and initial skepticism, Anjali traces the deadly string of crimes to Anand Swarnakar, a seemingly ordinary college lecturer. The climax unfolds in Goa, where Anand, preparing to begin anew, is confronted and his sickening justification of his crimes is revealed. Finally, Anjali's courageous reclamation of her Dalit heritage rounds off the story, leaving deep reflections on societal prejudice and discrimination.

Release

The web series is released on the 12th of May 2023. There is only one season of the webseries and the first season has only 8 episodes. It can be enjoyed on Amazon Prime.

Episodes

Casting 

• Sonakshi Sinha as Anjali Bhaati - Sonakshi Sinha, a leading Bollywood actress, debuted in the blockbuster Dabangg (2010). She starred in hit movies like Rowdy Rathore and Lootera. Her work also includes the thriller web series Dahaad.

• Gulshan Devaiah as Devilal Singh - Gulshan Devaiah has showcased his acting prowess in films like Shaitan, Hunterrr, and Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota. His extensive career also includes the acclaimed web series, Smoke.

• Sohum Shah as Kailash Parghi - Sohum Shah began his career with Ship of Theseus and delivered a compelling performance in Tumbbad. He also starred in the successful series Maharani and the critically acclaimed Dahaad.

• Vijay Varma as Anand Swarnakar - Vijay Varma made his mark with Pink and Gully Boy, earning accolades for his performances. His continued success extends to digital series like Mirzapur and the thriller series Dahaad.

• Manyyu Doshi as Shiv Swarnakar - Manyyu Doshi is a rising talent, best known for the films Nirmal Anand Ki Puppy and Sudhakar Ban Gaya Hero. His TV appearances include the Sony SAB show Gupp Chupp.

• Ratnabali Bhattacharjee as Renuka - Ratnabali Bhattacharjee's versatile acting career spans films like Sold and Khoobsurat. She gained recognition for her performances in popular web series such as Ghoul and the thriller Dahaad.

• Abhishek Bhalerao as Mahtre - Abhishek Bhalerao's acting career includes notable roles in hit films like Mere Pyare Prime Minister. His television work is equally significant, garnering attention through the popular series Dahaad.

Crew

• Director - Reema Kagti, Ruchika Oberoi

• Writer - Reema Kagti, Ritesh Shah, Zoya Akhtar

• Music - Gaurav Raina, Tarana Marwah

• Producers - Ritesh Sidhwani, Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Farhan Akthtar, Kassim Jamagia, Angad Dev Singh, Sunitha Ram

• Cinematographer - Tanay Satam

• Editor - Anand Subaya

• Production companies - Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films.

Character Analysis

Anand Swarnakar (Played by Vijay Varma)

Anand is portrayed as a deeply cunning and unpredictably sinister figure. On the surface, he appears as a charming, middle-class high school teacher with a seemingly comfortable life. However, beneath this facade lies his true identity - an unsuspecting serial killer who preys on women. Despite his gruesome, evil actions, the creators have infused layers of depth into his personality, enabling viewers to perceive him as somewhat likeable in a different context. This intricate portrayal helps break the conventional villain mould.

Anjali Bhaati (Played by Sonakshi Sinha)

Anjali, a sub-inspector, is depicted as a young woman moving past her marriageable age under societal and parental pressure. Interlacing these personal conflicts, Anjali tirelessly works on a case involving a serial killer—Anand— who gruesomely kills women using the means of marriage as a lure. This direct tie to Anjali's insecurities and societal pressures adds another layer of complexity to her character, driving the tension up for the audience in their cat-and-mouse chase. This makes Anjali the perfect antithesis to Anand's character.

Spoilers

In Dahaad, middle-class family man and teacher, Anand Swarnakar, leads a secretive life as a serial killer, enticing women disgruntled with arranged marriages and dowries, before driving them towards suicide using cyanide-laced contraceptive pills. Despite his endeavors to evade capture, Anand's crimes are eventually revealed, and a team of police officers, led by the tenacious Anjali Bhaati, arrest him in Goa just in time to prevent another murder. In the season's finale, Anand is incarcerated for his horrendous crimes, and Anjali reverts to her original surname, defiantly reclaiming her identity in spite of Anand's casteist slurs.

Behind the scenes

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Vijay Varma, who plays the role of a serial killer who uses a school van to commit his crimes, practised driving on a large-scale vehicle to offer authenticity to his role. He was given an old ambulance to hone his driving skills so that he could handle a large van convincingly on screen. This hands-on approach enabled Varma to naturally showcase his character's driving skills during the filming. He practiced driving around the Yari Road area of Mumbai before the series went into production 

Reviews

Audience Review

Many viewers deem the series well-thought-out and commend the impressive performances of the actors, particularly Vijay Varma, Sonakshi Sinha, Gulshan Devaiah, and Sohum Shah.

Some critiques include occasional pacing issues, with viewers finding that the series stretched a bit after the 6th episode. Yet, they were still invested due to the compelling portrayal of the serial killer and the detectives' relentless pursuit.

Several users also appreciated the exploration of social issues like casteism, misogyny, and marital pressures. These themes were incorporated seamlessly with the crime narrative, enriching the viewing experience.

Viewers were additionally impressed by the production quality, set design, and cinematography, particularly those that featured Rajasthan's scenic locales. Nevertheless, some users also felt that certain elements were borrowed heavily from American crime series, which felt a bit artificial in the Indian setting.

Tring Review

'Dahaad' is a captivating crime thriller that delves into the emotional landscape of its characters while exploring delicate socio-cultural issues. Vijay Varma's chilling portrayal of the serial killer, along with powerful performances from Manjiri Pupala and Sonakshi Sinha, paints a moving picture of resilience and the pursuit of justice.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Rajasthan, the series uniquely blends familiar crime show elements with a distinctly Indian context. It holds a mirror up to society, reflecting on the complexities of casteism, misogyny, and marital pressures.

Although the pacing occasionally stutters, 'Dahaad' hooks viewers with its layered narrative and thought-provoking revelations, making it a noteworthy addition to contemporary Indian web series and a powerful vessel for exploring social and human issues.

Tring Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Awards

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