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Genre: Crime drama (based on a true story).
Writer Director: Vikramaditya Motwane.
Cast: Zahan Kapoor. Rahul Bhat. Paramvir Cheema. Anurag Thakur.
Platform: Netflix – 7 episodes.
Duration: 7 episodes x 45 minutes each.
Often, I have heard arguments or discussions about “why can’t we make a realistic crime thriller the way the West makes – somewhat like Martin Scorsese does’. People who said that would be very happy to know that Black Warrant fulfills the main criteria for a Scorsese film – the almost continuous torrent of swear words 😊.
Having got rid of that statutory warning, lets talk about the TV serial which is based on the true story of jailor Sunil Gupta and his experiences working in Tihar Jail in the early 1980s. I read the sample chapter (on Kindle) and it is so unbelievable; on his first day on the job, Gupta was helped by Charles Sobhraj, which shows up in the first episode of the Series.
As a fresh graduate Sunil Gupta (Zahan Kapoor) joins Tihar jail but is rejected by DSP Rajesh Tomar (Rahul Bhat) as being too soft. A mysterious man in well cut, fashionable civil dress, takes his documents and after some hours, Sunil is on the job. This is Sunil’s first encounter with notorious criminal Charles Sobhraj (Sidhant Gupta) who seems to be running the jail and treating it as a vacation spot. Sunil’s colleagues are the foul-mouthed, hot-headed Haryanvi, Vipin Dahiya (Anurag Thakur) and the friendly, balanced Sikh, Shivraj Singh Mangat (Paramvir Cheema). The trio have to keep the peace between the warring Tyagi and Haddi gangs while the ‘Sardar gang’, made up exclusively of Sikhs, adds additional dynamics to the already crowded jail.
Sunil’s idealism slowly and steadily starts fraying under the assaults of “The System” and Tomar virtually allowing the gangs to run their remit, as long he has a fragile “peace”. Sunil’s family isn’t happy with his job and want him to work somewhere else. A surprise spot check by the Home Minister results in Sunil’s suspension. The loose security in the jail also adds to the issues. Sunil also watches the hangings of the two infamous criminals Billa and Ranga. His struggles have just begun
This is easily one of the best TV serials in the last few years far better than any film. The tension is maintained throughout and we always wonder what is going to happen next. It is NOT an easy watch as we see how cheap are human lives inside a jail.
A special word for the production design. Its impossible to believe that “Tihar Jail” has been recreated in Mumbai studios. The attention to detail such as typewriters, old fashioned tear away calendars, the dress and hair styles, etc – all these and more bring back the early 1980s to us.
The students escaping from jail seems to be a truly bizarre incident and the series doesn’t say what happened, whether they were all caught and brought back. The reality is that most escaped as they had given fake names. Check out this link. (Apparently one Nirmala Seetharaman was also part of this group of arrested students,a s per the below link)
https://india-itinerary.com/2025/01/14/jnu-students-escape-real-story-black-warrant-episode-3/
Clearly most of the events and characters are composites of the incidents and characters from the book. The photography is also gloomy reflecting Sunil’s increasing view of the situation. ALL performances are simply outstanding.
DON’T miss this serial. Be warned that the violence level and foul language content is extremely high, reflecting real life speech.
I hope that they make a Season 2 and eagerly look forward to it.
Real history / Historical background – 4 out of 5
Script – 5 out of 5
Story – 5 out of 5
Direction – 5 out of 5
Photography – 5 out of 5
Total – 4.8 out of 5
I am always on the lookout for good Indian police procedurals, and I highly trust your judgment. Just keeps my faith in the fact that we can actually tell good stories in this genre (or any for that matter). Btw, have you watched “Kohra” on Netflix? Highly recommend and look forward to your article in case you haven’t already written it. Thank you KV!
Dear Siddesh
Its YES to both. Have watched Kohra long ago and that too is quite brutal in its depiction of daily life .
KVR
Hi Rammesh,
Another excellent review from you, and, to use your own words:
“This is easily one of the best TV serials in the last few years far better than any film. The tension is maintained throughout..”
It is so refreshing to watch an Indian film or TV serial which is devoid of:
Jingoism, ‘religion’ on steroids, ‘historicals’ slanted to be anything but objective, and yes, the Khan Bros wrecking havoc in Dubai or Delhi, thank you CGI !
‘Black Warrant’ is a welcome exception from all this. The sheer strength of the actors, plot lines, credible dialogues and script, and gritty, unvarnished reality bring forth the day-to-day reality of the notorious prison.
And for at least some of us, Zahan Kapoor – in this finely under-emoted acting, and with his light mustache – is such a haunting reminder of his grandfather in ‘Dharmputra’ and ‘Prem Patra’.
..
Now that Charles Sobhraj has flown the coop in Season 1, there simply has to be at least a Season 2 and then Season 3!
Looking at the list of famous inmates listed at the Wiki entry – everyone from cow-smugglers to film actors to heinous terrorists to politicians of every stripe – the plots and scripts make themselves!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tihar_Prisons
..
Regards… Robin