Dabba Cartel, a seven-episode series streaming on Netflix promises to be a thrilling crime drama with a plot that intertwines a pharma investigation story with a drugs-in-a dabba service. Can it give a kick? Let’s find out.
Storyline
A couple traveling by car in Amritsar meets with an accident. How? The woman driving felt drowsy due to her medication—Modella, a banned drug found in the crashed car. This sparks an investigation led by Pathak, an officer from the government drug regulatory body, FDSCO, along with local cop Preeti.
Vivalife, the company behind the mess gets into the action of destroying the related evidence, led by the boss Shankar and supported by his teams which include a young employee Hari who wants an onsite deputation to Germany ahead of his turn.
Vivalife employees live in the company quarters at Thane. Hari’s wife Raji runs a home-based dabba service with her maid, Mala, offering a unique add-on —a sachet of herbal Viagra that boosts both demand and income. A turn of events causes the bubbly broker Shahida, to join the duo. Things get complicated when Mala, a single mother, is blackmailed by her drug-peddling boyfriend Santosh, into sneaking weed into the dabbas. To make things worse, when a packet of weed goes down the drain, Santosh’s boss Chavan threatens the trio for recovery – and that’s when Raji’s formidable mother-in-law, Sheila, steps in—transforming their dabba service into a full-fledged cartel. Eventually, Varuna, Shankar’s wife, struggling to run her boutique, also enters the mix.
Meanwhile, Pathak and Preeti follow a trail of clues, closing in on the Modella case. Just when the dabba cartel is prospering, Chacko, a dreaded drug lord, makes his entry, reviving Sheila’s shady past and shaking up the dabba gang.
What is Sheila’s past? Will Pathak-Preeti be able to solve the case? Can the dabba gang survive the nightmare?
Watch season-1 to partially get the answers.
Our critique
Dabba Cartel delivers a pacy, engaging story with well-etched characters. More than the plot, it’s the ensemble cast and their dynamics that truly stand out. The choice of Thane as the backdrop adds a unique flavour, and the theme of sisterhood—five women from different walks of life forming an unexpected alliance—is refreshing. The corporate scenes at Vivalife feel believable, and the sequences around FDSCO department and the police appear authentic.
However, certain sub-plots seem far-fetched. Santosh, the slimy blackmailer, could have been outwitted or overpowered by Mala, instead letting him dominate. Varuna’s entry into the drug trade feels unconvincing, given her background. The idea of manufacturing drugs in a residential flat stretches credibility, and the compulsory LGBTQ sub-plot feels abrupt and forced.
Still, the biggest letdown is the ending. Chacko, a notorious character, is introduced at the last moment, only for Season-1 to end abruptly for the next season.
A more structured and impactful conclusion—perhaps with the Chacko twist in the final minutes—would have been more reasonable.
Direction and editing are just about okay. Cinematography is decent and music is good.
Screen Performances
Shalini Pandey delivers a heartfelt performance as soft-spoken Raji, sharing good chemistry with Bhupendra Jadawat who impresses as the loyal employee Hari. Nimisha Sajayan stuns as Mala, effortlessly balancing vulnerability and smartness. Anjali Anand as Shahida adds a refreshing comic touch, Jyotika shines as the classy Varuna. Gajraj Rao does well as Pathak, the upright government officer, while Sai Tamhankar as cop Preeti shares an easy camaraderie with him. Jisshu Sengupta is solid as the scheming Shankar. Sunil Grover is a surprise package in his cameo as Chacko and good to see Lilette Dubey as Moushmi. Finally, Shabana Azmi rocks as Sheila with her controlled yet commanding presence.
Overall opinion
Despite its flaws, Dabba Cartel keeps you engaged, thanks to its strong characters and interesting (if not gripping) storyline. The show could have done better with a tighter, more logical ending, but is still watchable.
Our rating
