Crime Beat Review: Unmasking Delhi’s Dark Underworld—Where Journalism Meets Danger

Crime Beat is a gritty Hindi crime thriller that delves deep into the dark crossroads of journalism, crime, and politics in the midst of Delhi. The show follows Abhishek Sinha (Saqib Saleem), a fiery young journalist from Varanasi who comes to the capital with aspirations of making a name for himself. But his quest for the truth soon gets him entangled in a deadly game of corruption, power play, and the return of a ruthless gangster. 

With top-notch performances by Saba Azad, Rahul Bhat, and Sai Tamhankar, the show presents a raw and intense storyline that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. As one of the most compelling new OTT shows, Crime Beat is now available to stream on ZEE5, presenting an unapologetic glimpse into the risky world of crime reporting and law enforcement in India's capital.

Crime Beat: The Thin Line Between Truth and Survival

In the crowded streets of Delhi, where crime and power are inseparable, one reporter is brave enough to tell the truth. Crime Beat tracks Abhishek Sinha (Saqib Saleem), a young reporter from Varanasi who gets a job at a top news channel, dreaming of making a difference. But his search for hard-hitting news takes him into a dangerous world where justice and corruption are indistinguishable.

As Abhishek delves deeper into the underworld, he discovers political scandals, police collusion with crime syndicates, and a revenge-seeking gangster's comeback. At every turn, his life spirals out of control—his career, relationships, and survival are all in jeopardy.

With the help of his resolute colleague (Saba Azad) and hunted by those who seek to silence him, Abhishek has to choose: will he risk everything to reveal the truth, or will he become another pawn in this deadly game?

Stellar Performances in Crime Beat

Saqib Saleem as Abhishek Sinha – Saqib gives a strong performance as the insecure but ambitious reporter. His act of Abhishek's growth from an idealistic journalist to a man trapped in a killing game of crime and politics is engaging, providing depth to the character.

Saba Azad as Riya Kapoor – Bringing a feisty investigative journalist, Saba infuses her character with zeal and passion. Her rapport with Saqib lends the show a powerhouse performer.

Rahul Bhat as ACP Rajveer Singh – Rahul brings to life the conflicted mind of a policeman torn between his duty or becoming corrupt. His multi-dimensional performance keeps the viewer guessing about what his actual loyalty is.

Sai Tamhankar as Meera Saxena – Sai is a dominating media mogul with a secret motive. Her saucy one-liners and dominating screen presence make her one of the most interesting characters on the show.

Adinath Kothare as Ravi Jaiswal – Bone-chillingly good as the evil gangster with a vengeance, Adinath brings controlled fury and speechless menace to the role and is a force to be reckoned with as an antagonist.

Crime Beat Review: A Gritty Thriller That Blurs the Line Between Justice and Corruption

ZEE5's new crime thriller, Crime Beat, dives into the sordid underside of journalism, politics, and crime syndicates in Delhi. Directed by Sanjeev Kaul and Sudhir Mishra, the series is about Abhishek Sinha (Saqib Saleem), a young reporter driven by ambition, who gets sucked into a sinister game of deceit while pursuing sensational stories.

What Works:

✅ Gripping Premise – The series wonderfully captures the high-drama universe of investigative journalism and the dangers of journalists as they go up against formidable criminal gangs and corrupt government bodies.
✅ Strong Performances – Saqib Saleem gives a good performance, aided by Saba Azad and Rahul Bhat. Adinath Kothare's portrayal of the ominous gangster is unsettlingly intense.
✅ Dark & Gritty Atmosphere – The moody, dark cinematography and good screenplay work of the series well to plunge audiences into the crime-infested streets of Delhi.
✅ Surprises & Turns – Crime Beat keeps its viewers hooked through surprise plot twists, making for an interesting watch.

Where It Fails:

❌ Pacing Lag – The first few episodes slowly establish the backdrop, and therefore the initial pacing is slow-paced.
❌ Surface-Level Exploration – Although the show addresses serious issues of corruption and media ethics, it sometimes just scratches the surface instead of providing more in-depth analysis.
❌ Predictable Moments – Certain plot twists are familiar, following the standard crime-thriller formula.

Conclusion

Crime Beat presents a compelling story that delves into the dark nexus of journalism, crime, and politics. With good performances, particularly from Saqib Saleem and Saba Azad, and a well-developed atmosphere, the series manages to keep the audience hooked. But some pacing problems here and there and a rather superficial treatment of its themes hold it back from being as good as it could have been.

Despite its flaws, Crime Beat remains a compelling watch for fans of investigative thrillers. If you enjoy stories that expose the dangers of truth-seeking in a corrupt world, this ZEE5 original is worth adding to your list.