Director: Hitesh Bhatia

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

Jasmine Singh

Dabba Cartel feels like watching Reservoir Dogs, but with a heavily pregnant female cast. But what's wrong with that? Nothing at all! In fact, it adds a little more masala — a generous sprinkle of coriander — to make the dish more flavorful. But does it taste as good as it looks? Let's find out.

At first glance, Dabba Cartel comes across as a real-life Narcos story, quickly diving into action. There's no time wasted in explaining why and how these women got involved in the drug trade. Each character has a compelling backstory, and the writer does an excellent job convincing you of their motivations. The tightly woven storyline by Vishnu Menon is a delight to watch, although, at times, it does hint at the next plot twist too early. The story is fast-paced, with just the right amount of action to keep you hooked.

Director Hitesh Bhatia delivers a well-rounded characterization that stands out, ensuring the story keeps moving and, as I like to say, keeps the dish tasting good. Dabba Cartel truly belongs to each of its characters — Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Shalini Pandey, Nimisha Sajayan, Anjali Anand, Lillete Dubey, and Sai Tamhankar. These women know when to show vulnerability, when to strike the perfect camaraderie, and, most importantly, when to cook up a perfect dish of drama. I will definitely highlight Gajraj Rao, the exceptional Sarkaru Babbu, who this show needed and couldn’t have survived without.

Did I forget to mention the sweet touch at the end of the dish? Sunil Grover. It's been a long time since I’ve seen a villain I actually love. How does he pull off that poker face while killing it with a smile? The next season promises to reveal more of his mysterious character.

Overall, Dabba Cartel is a thrilling ride with an ensemble cast that leaves a lasting impression, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.