A rookie investigative journalist, Abhishek Sinha (portrayed by Saqib Saleem), is determined to secure his position at a prestigious media organization and is prepared to take significant risks to achieve this goal. He uncovers a lead indicating that a notorious gangster (played by Rahul Bhat) has returned to the country, prompting him to delve deeper into the investigation. As he pursues this case, he uncovers larger truths that could elevate him to the status of the star journalist he has always dreamed of becoming. In his quest for success, he makes perilous choices and navigates treacherous environments to get closer to the gangster. Ultimately, he confronts the gangster directly, but fate intervenes in unexpected ways.

Crime Beat Review:

The rapid expansion of the streaming industry in India has left audiences with an overwhelming array of options. Viewers are inundated with content, frequently engaging with it on a weekly basis. However, this abundance also introduces the potential for redundancy, as many productions appear strikingly similar or are mere imitations of one another. Compounding this issue is the industry's fixation on thrillers, espionage, and cross-border narratives, where larger-than-life morally ambiguous characters dominate the scene, overshadowing the ordinary protagonist. To successfully execute a show within this framework, one must possess the creative prowess of Sudip Sharma and Avinash Arun (Paatal Lok), who consistently innovate within the genre through their writing and direction. In this instance, seasoned filmmaker Sudhir Mishra ventures into this realm, yet his efforts only skim the surface—true immersion remains elusive.

Crime Beat, co-created and directed by Sudhir Mishra and Sanjeev Kaul, is constructed from nearly every cliché prevalent in contemporary storytelling. It features a rogue journalist, the daughter of a powerful figure as his colleague, a principled superior, a villainous gangster, and a strikingly skilled female sidekick—essentially, the show encompasses various iterations of these archetypes. While there is nothing fundamentally wrong with this approach, the primary issue lies in Crime Beat's inability to transcend these clichés. The narrative revolves around a fugitive linked to the death of a young boy, who returns to India. The Indian police, media outlets, and intelligence agencies pursue him relentlessly, yet he consistently remains one step ahead.

The prevalence of clichés in Crime Beat leads to two potential outcomes: either a drama that, while lacking originality, remains engaging, or a predictable narrative where logic is sidelined. The series opts for the latter. It is so focused on remaining superficial that it neglects deeper analysis, rendering it irredeemable—even with Danish Husain's commendable yet underutilized performance.

The true detriment to Crime Beat lies not only in its inconsistent and shallow script but also in its problematic post-production. The editing creates a disjointed sense of geography, making locations feel disconnected. Timelines are carelessly intertwined, with mere shifts in color tone used to signify flashbacks—an insufficient technique. Characters appear to traverse between Kashmir-like settings and Delhi as if they were merely a short drive apart. Additionally, the main characters lack the depth necessary for audience investment. Rahul Bhat’s character engages in kidnappings for inexplicable reasons, and the conclusion attempts to offer him redemption, which ultimately fails.

Sudhir Mishra tries to incorporate his distinctive style by critiquing the socio-political environment and the political spectacle. However, these attempts do not coalesce into a substantial narrative or a resonant message. The newsroom backdrop presents nothing innovative—news desks resemble school classrooms, and a journalist absurdly accompanies the police on a perilous manhunt during a fierce gunfight, armed solely with a digital camera. This situation is worth contemplating. Further elaboration will be avoided.

Crime Beat Final Verdict:

It may be advisable for creators and platforms that finance these projects to consider the question, "What’s new?" as a fundamental requirement. Crime Beat shares resemblances with numerous other programs, and while exploring these similarities could prove to be an engaging endeavor, the components of this series fail to coalesce into a product that is innovative or distinctive.

Crime Beat will be available for streaming on Zee5 starting February 21, 2025. For further updates regarding this and other developments in the streaming and film industry, please stay connected with OTTplay.