The internationally acclaimed Delhi Crime, created by Richie Mehta and directed by Tanuj Chopra, is back with a second season. While season one dealt with the aftermath of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, the second season takes on the Kaccha-Baniyan gang. The second season of Delhi Crime sees Shefali Shah reprising the role of DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, alongside Rasika Dugal as ACP Neeti Singh, Aadil Hussain as Kumar Vijay, Commissioner of Police and Rajesh Tailang as Inspector Bhupendra Singh. Does the second season live up to the precedent set by the first? Read this review of Delhi Crime Season 2 to know more.

Raw, gritty, and gruesome

The second season starts with the gruesome murder of four senior citizens in a rich household in Greater Kailash. DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, along with her team, is on the case. At first sight, the case looks like one from almost 20 years ago. Last active in the 1990s, the Kaccha-Baniyan gang’s modus operandi was to hit the houses of rich senior citizens, bludgeon them to death, and loot them. The gang was named thus because they would attack in their underclothes and would be fully oiled to avoid being captured. A gang that horrified the capital seems to be back in action and DCP Vartika needs to nab them ASAP.

From the get-go, the mood of the series is sombre. Set in the winter, there is already a lull in the atmosphere, reflecting the mood of Delhi Crime. The series doesn’t shy away from showing the cruelty that the murderers inflict on their victims. It is consistently raw, gritty, and gripping.

Internal war and a fight against systemic bias

As the Delhi Police tries to solve this case, you can see they are warring with themselves. On one hand, we have the more honest officers like DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, and on the other hand, we have guys like Viren Chaddha, whose only goal is money. Delhi Crime also takes the issue of class, caste, and systemic bias head-on.

When the Kaccha-Baniyan gang is identified as the possible perpetrator, retired SHO Viren Chaddha targets the Denotified Tribe as the culprits. Since a lot of the thieves, pickpockets, and chain snatchers come from the underprivileged DNT, the entire tribe is assumed to be criminals. The class and caste bias are evident in the way the police handle the DNT. The entire tribe is generalised as criminals, thrashed around, and mistreated by the cops.

At one point, while talking to her daughter, Vartika mentions how the DNT are gullible purely because they don’t come from privilege. While talking to the press, she says, “We are not going after a tribe. We are going after the criminals who did this crime”.

Shefali Shah stands strong in her performance

It is common knowledge by now that Shefali Shah delivers a strong performance and that’s the case with Delhi Crime Season 2 as well. She holds her own as DCP Vartika Chaturvedi. Shah is bold, vulnerable, angry, and empathetic. Rasika Dugal, as ACP Neeti Singh, delivers a stand out performance. She is a woman struggling to juggle her marriage and her work. Both seem to be stressing her out and you can see she is on the verge of a breakdown. Dugal has perfectly captured the struggles, insecurities, and exhaustion of Neeti Singh. The rest of the cast including Aadil Hussain and Rajesh Tailang also deliver strong performances that are worth watching.

Don’t look at Delhi Crime Season 2 through the same lens you viewed the first season. This in itself stands as a strong series that delivers on the performances, story, and direction.

Delhi Crime Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

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