In a globe full of flashy crime dramas, Dahaad is not here to entertain you with high-speed pursuits or glitzy cliffhangers. It ambles along in slow, quiet, and seething-with-anger for the kind of fear that festers deeper with every longer gaze. Created by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar, this Amazon Prime Video original series is not merely a whodunit—it’s a mirror of all that society chooses to ignore. And why is it particularly haunting? It’s inspired by real-life occurrences.
Plot: Not Just a Mystery, But a Mirror
Directed by Raj Nidimoru and Shetty, the series is set in the dry town of Mandawa, Rajasthan, and traces Sub-Inspector Anjali Bhaati (Sonakshi Sinha) as she starts to observe a sinister trend in what look like unrelated suicides. All the victims are poor, Dalit women who were abandoned by society well before their deaths. As the investigation goes on, what appears to be a coincidence starts to point towards a single predator: a man in plain sight.Â
Characters That Stay With You
Sonakshi Sinha gives a defining performance of her career. Her Anjali is a woman forged by the struggle against casteism, patriarchy, and a system that will only listen if you’re shouting.
Vijay Varma, at the opposite extreme, is awesomely subtle as the monster Anand Swarnakar. His unhurried manner only heightens his character’s horror. Anand does not scream villainy; he is a whisper about it, and that is what most disturbs you.
Pacing: A Slow Build That’s Worth It
As opposed to most thrillers that rely on shock and amazement, Dahaad slows down. Its eight-episode structure is constructed like a pot brewing on the fire that never comes to a boil, but keeps you hooked. It’s not for speed-watchers. It’s for people who can sit with pain.
The Chilling Truth: Inspired by Cyanide Mohan
This is where Dahaad transitions from thrilling to gut-wrenching. The series takes heavy inspiration from the Cyanide Mohan case, the schoolteacher from Karnataka who killed more than 20 women between 2003 and 2009. Who used Precision Disguised as Love to target women. He was arrested in 2009, only after one woman managed to escape his lethal trap. The magnitude of his crimes left investigators and the nation breathless.
Dahaad not only relates the Cyanide Mohan story, but rather utilises it as a prism that points out in what way society turns its blind eye whenever those lives are wiped away. The show takes this disturbing true case and converts it into an equally potent statement against neglect, bias, and all the violence perpetuated in private that nobody can notice.
Visuals & Direction: Raw, Unfiltered, and Real
Rajasthan is not merely the backdrop—it’s like a part of the narrative. The arid landscapes, weathered buildings, and harsh sunlight reflect the emotional gravity of the narrative. The direction relies heavily on restraint—silences that speak volumes over words, quietness that creates tension.
There are no flashy background scores or cinematic frills here. Only scenes that allow the realism to hit you softly, but with maximum impact.
Also Read….
Bogota: City of the Lost Review; Here’s What We Know About Song Joong Ki’s Thriller Film
Why This Matters
More than just a detective story, Dahaad asks: How many women have to die before someone pays attention? It’s about caste, class, and the quiet violence that happens when the world assumes certain lives are worth less.
Even if you’re a fan of fast-paced thrillers, Dahaad deserves your patience. Because the reward isn’t just entertainment—it’s perspective.
Final Verdict: Watch It With Open Eyes
Dahaad isn’t attempting to make you feel good. It’s attempting to make you feel something. Horror, rage, sorrow—and most importantly, awareness.
That it’s based on the crimes of an actual man—Cyanide Mohan—makes it even more difficult to shake. It’s a show that doesn’t thunder for attention. It growls under its breath—and listen closely, and it’ll linger long after the credits have rolled.
Writer – Subham Choudhary