Released on February 21, 2025, Crime Beat arrives on ZEE5 as a Hindi-language crime thriller that aims to dissect the gritty intersection of investigative journalism and the criminal underworld. Directed by Sudhir Mishra and Sanjeev Kaul, and adapted from Somnath Batabyal’s 2013 novel The Price You Pay, this eight-episode series boasts a talented ensemble—Saqib Saleem, Rahul Bhat, Saba Azad, Sai Tamhankar, and Danish Husain—yet struggles to rise above its crowded genre. It’s a competent watch with flashes of brilliance, but one that often feels like it’s chasing headlines rather than crafting a lasting story.

The plot centers on Abhishek Sinha (Saqib Saleem), a small-town journalist from Varanasi who lands in Delhi’s cutthroat media scene, hungry for a big break. His chance arrives with Binny Chaudhary (Rahul Bhat), a fugitive gangster whose return to India sparks a wave of high-profile crimes tied to the 2011 Commonwealth Games scam. As Abhishek digs deeper, he’s pulled into a web of deceit involving his ambitious girlfriend Maya (Saba Azad), a seasoned editor Aamir Akhtar (Danish Husain), and a fierce accomplice, Archana Pandey (Sai Tamhankar). It’s a tale of ambition, betrayal, and the moral compromises that come with chasing the truth—or a byline.

The performances are a mixed bag, but the standouts keep the series afloat. Rahul Bhat’s Binny is a charismatic force, blending menace with a Robin Hood-esque swagger that makes his every move magnetic. Sai Tamhankar’s Archana is a revelation—equal parts seductive and ruthless, she owns the screen with a presence that demands attention. Danish Husain brings gravitas to Aamir, though his underuse feels like a missed opportunity. Saqib Saleem, as Abhishek, is earnest but uneven; his portrayal captures the hunger of a rookie reporter but falters when the script calls for deeper nuance. Saba Azad’s Maya starts strong as a foil to Abhishek, but her arc fizzles into cliché territory.

Visually, Crime Beat nails the grimy pulse of Delhi’s underbelly—dusty newsrooms, shadowy alleys, and tense standoffs are shot with a moody realism by cinematographer Santosh Thundiyil. The score by Julius Packiam adds urgency, though it occasionally overplays its hand. Where the series stumbles is in its storytelling. The first half hooks you with its fast-paced setup and ethical dilemmas—does Abhishek expose the truth or protect his career?—but the momentum wanes as subplots pile up and resolutions grow predictable. The integration of real-world events like the Commonwealth scam adds authenticity, yet the narrative rarely digs beyond surface-level intrigue, leaving its themes of power and privilege underexplored.

Crime Beat wants to be a hard-hitting exposé of journalism’s dark side, but it settles for being a solid, if unremarkable, thriller. The editing feels disjointed at times, with flashbacks that confuse more than clarify, and the finale—while tidy—lacks the gut punch of a truly memorable crime drama. It’s bingeable, buoyed by strong moments from Bhat and Tamhankar, but it’s not the game-changer it could have been in a genre dominated by sharper entries like Scoop or Your Honor. For fans of investigative tales with a desi twist, it’s worth a spin—just don’t expect it to linger long after the credits roll.

Ratings:
Storyline: 3/5 – A promising start that loses steam with predictable twists and shallow depth.
Performances: 4/5 – Rahul Bhat and Sai Tamhankar shine; Saqib Saleem holds steady but lacks spark.
Direction: 3.5/5 – Mishra and Kaul craft an atmospheric vibe but can’t sustain the tension.
Cinematography & Music: 4/5 – Gritty visuals and a driving score elevate the mood.
Overall: 3.5/5 – An engaging, flawed thriller that entertains but doesn’t quite break the mold.

Crime Beat is streaming now on ZEE5—a decent scoop for crime-drama buffs, even if it doesn’t make the front page.