Journalism has long been a fertile ground for gripping storytelling, and Crime Beat, Zee5’s latest crime drama, attempts to tap into that allure. Following in the footsteps of Scoop, The Broken News, and Despatch, the show ventures into the murky world of crime reporting. But does it hit the mark? Not quite. While it starts with an intriguing premise, the execution wobbles between realism and overblown theatrics, leaving the audience wanting more substance.
Directed by Sudhir Mishra and Sanjeev Kaul, “Crime Beat” makes a commendable attempt at portraying the intricate nexus of crime, politics, and media. The narrative is peppered with elements drawn from real incidents, and the dialogues—co-written by Batabyal himself—lend a conversational authenticity to the proceedings. However, the series often struggles to balance its fast-paced chase with moments of lethargy, leaving viewers caught between the thrill of the pursuit and the disappointment of underdeveloped relationships.
A Story of Crime, Power, and the Truth
Based on Somnath Batabyal’s book The Price You Pay, Crime Beat is co-directed by Sudhir Mishra and Sanjeev Kaul. The show follows Abhishek Sinha (Saqib Saleem), a small-town journalist with big ambitions, navigating the dangerous terrain of Delhi’s crime beat. When he stumbles upon the story of notorious kidnapper-turned-politician Binny Chaudhary (Rahul Bhat), he sees his golden opportunity—a scoop that could cement his reputation.
However, Binny isn’t just another criminal looking for redemption. He’s a man with political aspirations, tangled in a web of deals, deceit, and a Commonwealth Games corruption scandal. Meanwhile, DCP Uday (Rajesh Tailang) is on his trail, leading to a power play that tests the ethics of journalism. What follows is an intense yet inconsistent exploration of ambition, media complicity, and the grey areas of law enforcement.
Strong Performances, But Half-Baked Characters
Rahul Bhat is the show’s strongest asset, bringing a quiet intensity to Binny Chaudhary. His portrayal is nuanced, offering glimpses of a man battling his past while plotting his future. Sai Tamhankar, as his confidante Archana Pandey, complements him well, adding layers of tension and quiet loyalty.
Saqib Saleem, however, struggles with the complexity of Abhishek Sinha. While he captures the hunger of a young journalist, his character feels one-dimensional—more a reckless careerist than a true journalist. His relationship with mentor Amir Akhtar (Danish Hussain) lacks depth, making their dynamic feel forced. Saba Azad, as rival reporter Maya Mathur, has little to work with. Her character is a missed opportunity, falling into clichéd tropes of an uptown, sharp-tongued journalist with little emotional grounding.
Saqib Saleem delivers a performance that captures the restless ambition of a journalist desperate to escape his small-town origins. Yet, his portrayal occasionally lapses into caricature, as Sinha’s willingness to compromise ethics for a headline undermines his credibility. His character’s evolution is hampered by forced mentor dynamics with Danish Hussain’s Amir Akhtar, reducing what could have been a poignant narrative of growth into a predictable trope.
A Story That Loses Its Grip
Crime Beat aims for authenticity but often leans too much into sensationalism. The narrative starts off gripping but soon loses its grip due to exaggerated twists and uneven pacing. The crime-politics-media nexus is fascinating, but the series fails to dissect it with the sharpness it deserves. Unlike Scoop, which stayed true to the nuances of investigative journalism, Crime Beat feels more like a dramatized version of reality—where every revelation is grand, and every chase is a spectacle.
The dialogues, co-written by Batabyal, lend a conversational authenticity, but the screenplay falters, leaving several subplots undercooked. The slow-burn approach could have worked if the characters had more depth, but instead, it makes the show feel lethargic in parts.
Worth a Watch, But Don’t Expect a Deep Dive
With its compelling premise and solid performances, Crime Beat had the potential to be a hard-hitting journalistic drama. Instead, it settles for surface-level storytelling, offering glimpses of brilliance but failing to sustain them. If you enjoy crime thrillers and newsroom dramas, it’s worth a watch—but don’t expect a show that truly captures the high-stakes world of investigative journalism.
