Dabba Cartel Review: A Crime Drama That Fails To Deliver On Its Promising Premise

Dabba Cartel stars Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Jisshu Sengupta, Nimisha Sajayan, Gajraj Rao, Sai Tamhankar, Shalini Pandey, and Anjali Anand.

(Image: Trailer Still/Youtube)

Directed by: Hitesh Bhatia

Cast: Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Jisshu Sengupta, Nimisha Sajayan, Gajraj Rao, Sai Tamhankar, Shalini Pandey and Anjali Anand

Episodes: 7

Rating: 2/5 stars

Netflix’s Dabba Cartel, directed by Hitesh Bhatia, attempts to mix crime, drama, and dark comedy but ends up lacking the edge to truly leave an impact. The show, co-created by Shibani Akhtar, offers an intriguing premise: a home chef’s dabba (tiffin) business gradually morphs into a dangerous drug operation.

The series is built around a compelling concept, but it falters in execution. Over the course of seven episodes, the unusual cuts fail to create a continuous story, making it feel like there are different bits following through with no seamless connection between them.

One of the most glaring issues is the lack of chemistry between the characters, especially Preeti (Sai Tamhankar) and Ajit Pathak (Gajraj Rao). Their interactions come off as forced and awkward, making it hard to believe in their supposed partnership. Tamhankar’s portrayal of Preeti, a rookie cop, doesn’t quite hit the mark. Instead of exuding the sharpness one might expect from a law enforcer, she comes across as chaotic and at times, out of place in the role. This disconnect undermines her character and weakens the overall impact of the show.

The dialogues, too, feel dull and often miss the mark. There are moments where characters seem to be stumbling through their lines without any real sense of purpose, the lack of clarity in dialogue exchanges adds to the confusion, making it hard to connect with the characters or invest in their arcs.

However, Dabba Cartel does attempt to explore some interesting dynamics, particularly the evolving relationships between couples after having children. The show touches on how one partner may misjudge the other’s capabilities and refuse to accept help, a relatable theme that adds some depth to the otherwise chaotic narrative.

Despite its shortcomings, the series does manage to bring some entertaining moments, especially when it focuses on the gang’s increasingly convoluted drug operation. While the storyline occasionally delves into the absurd, with characters who seem to become experts in creating new addictions almost overnight, these moments provide some fun amidst the confusion.

Ultimately, Dabba Cartel doesn’t fully deliver on its promise. The show has its moments of tension and intrigue, but the lack of a cohesive story, underdeveloped characters, and weak dialogue drag it down. It’s clear that the series is setting up for a larger arc, but whether it can redeem itself in future episodes remains to be seen. For now, it’s a slow start to what could have been a more gripping crime drama.