Star Cast: Gulshan Devaiah, Anurag Kashyap, Harleen Sethi, Aishwarya Sushmita
Web Series Review: BAD COP is an entertaining, fast-paced show with an edge-of-the-seat climax
Director: Aditya Datt
Synopsis:
Arjun (Gulshan Devaiah) and his lover Kiki (Aishwarya Sushmita) are small-time criminals. They con a middle-aged man Biren Soumya (Bharat Bhatia) in a five-star hotel in Pune. While running away, they witness the murder of a journalist, Anand Mishra (Deepraj Rana). Arjun tries to help Anand and the latter tightly holds on to the former. A scared Arjun runs away. From the CIB, Arif Khan (Saurabh Sachdeva) is given the charge of the case. Anand was Arif’s friend and hence, the sharp officer is ready to go to any length to nab the killer. The forensic team finds DNA traces of Arjun on Anand’s hand and concludes that the former is the culprit. Arjun realizes he’s in trouble and he heads to Mumbai to meet his twin brother, Inspector Karan Naik (Gulshan Devaiah). Karan’s marriage with fellow inspector Devika (Harleen Sethi) is on the rocks. Karan gets a tip of a consignment that is going to reach the docks belonging to jailed gangster Kazbe (Anurag Kashyap). Karan heads to the docks without informing his wife, who’s also his senior. Arjun sees Karan heading to the docks and he also follows him. Karan and Arjun meet after two years. Before they could talk properly, Kazbe’s notorious nephew Raghav (Deepak Kamboj) attacks Karan. Though Karan, with the help of Arjun, retaliates, both the brothers get shot. Karan dies while Arjun survives. Arjun is mistaken for Karan by the rescue team, police and even Devika. At first, Karan is shocked over the demise of his brother and to assume his identity. He plans to escape but later changes his mind as he wants to know who killed Karan and why. What happens next forms the rest of the series.
Bad Cop Story Review:
BAD COP is adapted from a German television show of the same name (devised by RTL Television GmbH). The story is fascinating though it reminds one of similar films, involving double roles, like KAMINEY [2009], PREM RATAN DHAN PAYO [2015] and the recently released MIRZAPUR SEASON 3. Also, the angle of one brother on the side of the law while the other is against it gives a déjà vu of DEEWAAR [1975], SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE [2009], etc. Sameer Arora and Rensil DSilva’s screenplay is pacy from start to finish. Hussain Dalal’s dialogues (additional dialogues by Rehan Khan) contribute to the humour and tension.
Aditya Datt’s direction is fair and much better than the execution in his last outing, CRAKK [2024]. He gives the series a masala film treatment and adds not just thrill and comedy but also captivating action scenes. The episodes are short – around 30 minutes – and unlike many web shows, it is devoid of unwanted scenes and tracks. Some of the scenes that stand out are Devika opening the consignment against the MLA’s orders, Kiki being chased by Arif, Arjun changing the truck etc. The sixth episode ends with a huge twist that not many people will see coming. The final episode will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
On the flipside, the show is not entirely convincing and has too many cinematic liberties. It’s difficult to digest that Devika doesn’t realize that she has brought home Arjun and not Karan. Hence, this show comes under the ‘keep-your-brains-aside’ category. It’s also bewildering that when Devika and Arjun don’t find anything suspicious in the seized consignment, they don’t double their efforts. Instead, they give up. Another issue with the show is its timing. Just last month, most viewers saw a similar double role angle in MIRZAPUR SEASON 3. Hence, a similar track here doesn’t have the same novelty factor anymore. Ideally, all episodes of the show should have dropped together in June before MIRZAPUR.
Bad Cop Performances:
Gulshan Devaiah, as expected, rocks the show. He brings the required quirk as Arjun and also scores as Karan. He has played an honest cop before in DAHAAD [2023] and he ensures that his act doesn’t seem similar. Anurag Kashyap takes the impact higher with his presence and his dialogue delivery. Harleen Sethi leaves a mark and she speaks a lot just with her expressions. Aishwarya Sushmita is a great find though one would wish she had more to do in the last episode. Saurabh Sachdeva does well. Deepraj Rana is hardly there. Krunal Pandit (Rawal; lawyer) raises laughs while Keya Ingale (Rhea Naik) is cute. Grusha Kapoor (Kazbe’s sister) is apt for the part. Palle Singh (Bala Thakur) and Rohan Mehta (Andy; tech expert) also do well.
Bad Cop music and other technical aspects:
Vikram Montrose and Tallz’s background score is novel and enhances the fun and madness. Anik R Verma’s cinematography is stylish, especially in action and chase scenes. Ravi Verma and Raj Shinde’s action is entertaining and cinematic. Juhi Talmaki’s production design is first-rate. Gayatri Thadani and Trushala Naik’s costumes are glamorous, especially the ones worn by the ladies. Jitendra Dongare’s editing is fast-paced.
Bad Cop Conclusion:
On the whole, BAD COP is an entertaining, fast-paced show with an edge-of-the-seat climax.
Rating – 3 stars
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