Dabba Cartel Season 1 Review: Shabana Azmi And Jyotika Shine In Netflix's Gritty Crime Drama

With its unique cast of characters, led by Shabana Azmi, ‘Dabba Cartel’ on Netflix captures your attention as they alternately reveal their backstories. On paper, it is a strong effort to offer something novel and captivating. But as it goes along, it turns into a mushy, squishy pie that was produced with the finest ingredients but was cooked haphazardly even though the recipe was excellent.

Bhavna Khera and Vishnu Menon are the authors of the seven-episode series. The first two episodes, each lasting 49 minutes, are devoted to the reunion of these five women, who create their own Breaking Bad-style setting. The goal is to make a ton of money, the type that their partners and husbands have never seen before. Another further benefit is that they can escape the banality of their existence. Shalini Pandey, who portrays her daughter-in-law, is meant to be the timid member of the group, while Azmi’s Baa is the quiet lioness.

Dabba Cartel Story

In Mumbai, five women operate a successful dabba (tiffin) business that conceals a violent drug syndicate. Betrayals, rival gangs, and police enforcement pose a danger to their empire as they ascend in the underworld. They have to outsmart adversaries and stay ahead of the law in a high-stakes game of crime and survival.

In the first scene of the seven-episode series, a couple in Amritsar are involved in a car accident after the driver nods off. It is then disclosed that a medication known as Modella was the cause of her drowsiness. The Thane office of the pharmaceutical company Viva Life Pharmaceutical is affected by this tragedy. We learned that Viva Life is in charge of the supply and distribution of Modella in Punjab, which is an illicit opioid. Naturally, FDSCO, a drug agency, keeps an eye on them. Tension quickly rises and spreads throughout the Viva Life staff, especially among a senior professional named Shankar.

A drug officer named Pathak starts an inquiry with the assistance of a police officer named Preeti. Shankar resides in the Viva Life quarters with his family. Hari, his junior, lives with his family in the same building. From their home, his wife Raji and their maid Mala operate a dabba service. However, in addition to serving some delectable cuisine, her dabbas also give out drugs that can treat erectile dysfunction. In one of the numerous parallel plots, Santosh, Mala’s drug-dealing boyfriend, threatens to release her MMS unless she helps him with his work. Without Raji’s knowledge, she, therefore, begins supplying weed in the dabbas.

Dabba Cartel Review

Hitesh Bhatia creates a compelling crime tale that combines friendship, survival, and ambition. Vishnu Menon and Bhavna Kher’s narrative, which follows regular women navigating a perilous underworld, keeps the stakes high. The show’s tempo is sometimes hampered by several subplots that feel overdone, even if the writing skillfully balances several plotlines. But the dramatic scenes keep the audience interested.

Shabana Azmi’s subdued yet dominating presence steals the show. Although there are hints of Arjun Reddy, Shalini Pandey does a good job of capturing Raji’s despair. The resolute Mala, played brilliantly by Nimisha Sajayan, gives her part dimension. Gajraj Rao, as the unrelenting investigator, gives the plot legitimacy, while Jyothika as Varuna and Anjali Anand as Shahida add appeal.

As sub-inspector, Preeti, Sai Tamhankar, does a good job, although her relationship with Shahida is shallow. As unknowing husbands caught up in the mayhem, Jisshu Sengupta and Bhupendra Jadawat do a good job in their parts. Lillete Dubey’s appearance is brief but impactful. The main characters are complemented by the supporting cast, which deepens the intricate story without taking away from it.

Some subplots, such as Baa’s background and corporate corruption, drag down the action, even if the series does a good job of building tension. Despite being full of surprises, the last episode left some unanswered questions, obviously hinting at a new season. Shahida’s connection with Preeti is one of the character arcs that feels the most underdeveloped. Notwithstanding a few small issues, the show is nevertheless captivating and offers an exciting crime drama with compelling female leads.

Final Verdict

A compelling crime drama, Dabba Cartel features a novel female protagonist. Despite a few overdone subplots, Shabana Azmi and the ensemble cast give strong performances that keep the narrative interesting. Although several arcs are left undeveloped, the series does a good job of balancing ambition, survival, and deceit. Despite some pacing issues, it’s a fun movie with dramatic moments and surprising turns.

Although there are moments when the narrative falters, the show does a good job of creating tension and intrigue. The conclusion makes it obvious that the story isn’t finished yet and leaves space for a second season. Dabba Cartel is worth seeing if you like crime thrillers with compelling narratives that focus on characters.

Rating: (3/5)