Web Series Review: Black Warrant

Story of ‘Black Warrant’

Jail is a place from which everyone would like to stay away. This is the reason why people have very little information about the inner world of jail. Yes, things like bullying in jail, bad food, not even getting a place to sleep in the rain have been seen in many films, but Vikramaditya Motwane’s new web series Black Warrant shows the dark reality of the jail world in such depth. You get lost in it. Based on the book of the same title written by Asia’s biggest Tihar jailer Sunil Kumar Gupta and journalist Sunetra Choudhary, this series focuses on the corruption within the jail, jailer-prisoner relationships, their lives as well as those who were hanged in the eighties. It also shows the stories of famous prisoners.

Trailer of ‘Black Warrant’

‘Black Warrant’ Review

The series begins in the early 80s with lanky Sunil Kumar Gupta (Jahan Kapoor) becoming a jailer, who is discouraged by everyone from taking up the job. The reason is also valid, it is not easy for this new jailer, who is of ordinary height and cannot utter even a single curse from his/her mouth, to control the prisoners of Tihar. Nevertheless, Sunil not only remains there with his/her stubbornness, but due to his/her sensitive attitude, despite all the difficulties, he/she also tries to change the conditions of the jail and the prisoners. But the biggest obstacle in his/her path is DSP Rajesh Tomar (Rahul Bhatt), who instigates a gang of gangsters in the jail to line his/her pockets. This money of corruption is distributed from top to bottom.

Two more comrades recruited with Sunil, Vipin Kumar Dahiya (Anurag Thakur) and Shivraj Singh Mangat (Paramveer Singh Cheema) also soon become Tomar’s disciples, but Sunil is unable to join this game and ends up working with the poor prisoners in the jail. Keeps trying for welfare. In between, the series also shows the incidents of hanging of criminals like Ranga-Billa, Maqbool Bhatt, Kartar-Uzagar. Besides, it also gives a glimpse of the colorful lifestyle of the stylish bikini killer Charles Sobhraj (Siddhant Gupta), captured in Tihar during that time.

The special thing is that this series created by Vikramaditya Motwane and Satyanshu Singh introduces you to the world of jail in a very realistic manner. Unlike Bollywood films, there is no melodrama here. The story is told from the jailer’s perspective, so there is something new in it. For this reason, despite the pace being slow at some places, this series of seven episodes of 40-40 minutes keeps one engaged. A big credit for this also goes to the excellent acting of the artists. Jahaan Kapoor has given life to the role of Sunil Kumar Gupta.

Shashi Kapoor’s grandson Jahaan carries forward the legacy of the Kapoor family with his/her acting in the series. At the same time, Rahul Bhatt has also got such a role after a long time, where he/she could showcase his/her acting talent and he/she has taken full advantage of this opportunity. Paramveer Cheema and Anurag Thakur also make their characters believable with excellent acting. At the same time, Siddhant Gupta as Charles Sobhraj also attracts. Otherwise, the series is also technically strong. Overall, Vikramaditya Motwane has come up with a great series in the beginning of the year, the second season of which will be awaited.

Why watch: The prison is a true reflection of the unseen world and must be seen for its excellent performances.