Crime Beat Review: Saqib Saleem, Saba Azad Deliver Honest Performances But Writing Falls Flat!
Crime Beat is directed by Sudhir Mishra, Sanjeev Kaul and its streaming on Zee5.
3 / 5
Few things are as thrilling as a well-crafted crime drama, especially when it takes us into the world of investigative journalism. The tension, the uncovering of secrets, the fight for truth—it’s all incredibly compelling and gripping. A new series, Crime Beat, focusing on the gritty realities of investigative journalism, is here. Starring Saqib Saleem and Saba Azad in lead roles, the series has been watched, and I can’t help but since I’ve watched Scoop, the comparisons are inevitable. While both explore this fascinating subject, Crime Beat sadly falls short. It lacks the gripping narrative and sharp storytelling. Want to know why? Read on for a detailed review of Crime Beat.
Plot
The series starts in Delhi, where the notorious gangster Binny Choudhary is shot during a rally, and the event is witnessed by an ambitious rookie crime reporter, Abhishek Sinha. Now who is Binny Chaudhary? To know about him, the series takes us to the 90s and shows the gangster leaving India and escaping to Afghanistan after a kidnapping. Despite efforts by the CBI and Delhi Police, they can’t bring him back. However, Binny eventually decides to return to India, and his return becomes a great opportunity for Abhishek Sinha. Saqib Saleem, who plays the role of Abhishek Sinha, is the heart of the series. He is from Banaras and is trying to make it big in Delhi. He works hard and will go to any lengths for his story to be featured on page 1.
It’s a dream for journalists. With dreams and ambitions on his mind, he lands a job at a top newspaper. He works hard to gain trust and hopes to learn from his editor. However, things take a turn when Amir Akhtar steals Abhishek Sinha’s thunder by publishing a story on Binny Chaudhary under his own name. This ignites the fire in Abhishek Sinha’s soul more and makes him furious. In response, Abhishek quits and vows to get to Binny before Amir. He will use every trick he knows, but investigative journalism isn’t as easy as it seems. Abhishek soon finds him caught in a dangerous game. Amid all of this, he finds a companion (Saba Azad), who becomes a game changer in his life. Well, will Abhishek Sinha be able to get Binny before Amir Akhtar? That’s what we find out in the series.
Performances
The series delivers truly remarkable performances from its supporting cast. They bring a depth and intensity to their roles that elevates the show. Danish Husain, Rajesh Tailang, Adinath Kothare and Sai Tamhankar almost single-handedly made it watchable. Their acting is top-notch and added a much-needed layer of realism. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the lead actors. Their performances are noticeably weaker and lack the energy and engagement required to truly engage me. It’s a stark contrast and shows the unevenness of the acting across the board. Talking about Saqib Saleem, his portrayal lacks the depth, but he brings his own charm. Meanwhile, Saba Azad, who plays a key role, also does not get enough scope to shine. Next, Rahul Bhat, who is the “bad guy” in the story, was thoroughly underutilised. For a crime thriller, I expected the characters to be more layered. Instead, it became a struggle to invest in their journey.
Verdict: Saqib Saleem, Saba Azad’s Crime Thriller Is Watchable!
While the premise of the series had potential, the execution falls flat. I can’t help but mention the few moments focusing on the Commonwealth Games scam; I felt it could have done wonders if it was actually focused in depth; however, it was totally underdeveloped. The acting is a mixed bag. The supporting cast delivers strong performances and is the highlight of the show. Really, kudos to them! However, the lead actor, Saqib Saleem, was underwhelming or maybe overshadowed by the supporting cast. Saba Azad was truly underutilised. Well, I’ll blame the writing for Saba Azad’s part because the woman was not given enough to do. Also, Rahul Bhat—he needed more screen time. I wanted to watch more of his character, but it didn’t happen. Well, honestly, the characters lacked depth. I really want to mention the instance where Abhishek Sinha gets the job and everything done alone like a hero. It seems too unrealistic, but I guess its for the plot. In conclusion, it isn’t as gripping as it is intended to be, but it has its good moments and can be a one-time watch! Will you watch the series?
First Published: February 26, 2025 8:24 PM
