'Daldal': a psychological thriller that is thoughtful yet uneven

Movie review: Daldal 

Cast: Bhumi Pednekar, Aditya Rawal, Samara Tijori and Geeta Agrawal Sharma.

Director: Amrit Raj Gupta

Rating: 6/10

Daldal is one of those shows that clearly knows what it wants to say, even if it isn’t always sure how to say it. It plants its feet firmly in the psychological end of crime thrillers and refuses to budge. It chooses introspection over adrenaline and mood over momentum. That choice gives the series its identity and also becomes its limitation. The result is a show that is thoughtful and frequently absorbing, but also slightly uneven.

The series follows newly appointed DCP Rita Ferreira played by Bhumi Pednekar as she investigates a series of ritualistic murders in Mumbai, only to find the case entangled with her own unresolved past. In this seven part series, one if its boldest choices is abandoning the mystery of "who" early on. This isn’t a whodunnit but more of a whydunnit.

This shift recalibrates expectations. The narrative is more interested in emotional damage than suspense and that works up to a point. The writing probes familiar fault lines of abuse, neglect and addiction, but its canvas is perhaps too crowded. Important ideas struggle for space and not all of them are given the depth they deserve. What could have been piercing often becomes reduced to satisfactory.

Amrit Raj Gupta’s direction is restrained and atmospheric. Mumbai is filmed not as a spectacle but rather with tight frames and persistent gloom. It’s effective, but the constant gloom eventually flattens the viewing experience. Perhaps it should’ve been titled Dull Dull. A little tonal variation might have made the darkness feel more earned.

Pednekar’s portrayal of DCP Rita Ferreira is rooted in restraint. She plays Rita as a woman perpetually holding herself together. When the cracks finally appear, they are effective. However, the character is written in such a narrow emotional register that Pednekar is often denied the chance to modulate or surprise. When the performance works, it’s quietly compelling. When it doesn’t, the character risks becoming emotionally opaque.

The writing does her few favours by circling the same internal conflicts instead of allowing them to evolve. With that said, it was genuinely satisfying to see Pednekar return to the screen with Daldal, particularly after the introspective phase she entered following the lukewarm response to her in The Royals in 2025.

In interviews, she has openly acknowledged taking time away from the spotlight to reassess her choices and rebuild her confidence after a period of intense criticism. The real lift comes from the supporting cast. Aditya Rawal brings a raw, unsettling vulnerability that lingers long after his scenes end. Samara Tijori injects volatility and moral ambiguity into a role that could have easily tipped into caricature. Geeta Agrawal Sharma grounds the series with lived in realism, providing a much needed human texture, directing the narrative into something recognisable and relatable.

What ultimately holds Daldal back is its pacing and over commitment to seriousness. The series wants to say everything at once. In doing so, it dilutes its own impact. It’s thoughtful, well acted and worth watching for its performances and atmosphere, but it’s a solid effort that stops short of being truly gripping. Daldal is streaming on Amazon Prime. 

Keshav Dass is a presenter on Lotus FM and hosts The Night Café, Monday to Thursday, 9pm to midnight.

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