Review: Khakee: The Bihar Chapter

Plot

Set in Bihar in the early 2000s, Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is based on the true story of IPS officer Amit Lodha, as documented in his book Bihar Diaries: The True Story of How Bihar's Most Dangerous Criminal Was Caught. The series follows Lodha's struggles in his posting in Bihar as he takes on the task of fighting the criminal underworld, and the gangsters, corrupt politicians, and even some police officers he encounters along the way. While familiar, the storyline is engrossing, and the show manages to avoid caricatures of both cops and Biharis.

Acting

Karan Tacker, who plays Amit Lodha, and Avinash Tiwary, who plays the gangster Chandan Mahto, are a bit wooden in their performances, but the supporting members of the cast shine. Ravi Kishan's performance as a manipulative politician is excellent, and Ashutosh Rana is fantastic as a top cop with a biting wit. Nikita Dutta is also noteworthy as Lodha's wife, providing a calming influence on him.

Cinematography

The cinematography is solid, with some excellent shots of Bihar's landscape. The show does a good job of capturing the gritty reality of the setting, and the action scenes are particularly well-filmed.

Direction

Bhav Dhulia's direction is subtle and effective, with a restrained approach to the material that makes the show a refreshing change from other crime thrillers. The pacing can be slow at times, particularly during the early episodes, but it picks up later on.

Overall

Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is a well-made crime thriller with a compelling storyline and a talented supporting cast. While the performances of the two leads are a bit lacking, the show's direction and cinematography help to make up for it. Notably, the show manages to avoid falling into the trap of stereotyping the people of Bihar and presents them in a nuanced way. If you're a fan of crime dramas, this is definitely worth checking out.

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