Written by: Siddhartha Krishnan | 3 Min Read
When we think of prison dramas, classics like The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and Escape from Alcatraz come to mind. Unfortunately, Indian films have rarely explored this genre in depth. While a few films have touched upon it, none have left a lasting impact. This is the reason why Black Warrant, a TV series conceived by Vikramaditya Motwane and Satyanshu Singh, and helmed by six directors, instantly piqued my interest. The fact that it is based on real-life incidents from India’s most notorious prison makes it even more compelling.
Based on the book by Sunetra Choudhury and Sunil Gupta, Black Warrant follows Gupta’s journey as a rookie jailer at Tihar Jail. Set in the 1980s, it unravels real-life events from his perspective, offering a rare, unfiltered glimpse into Tihar jail.
The series’ greatest strength lies in its razor-sharp screenplay by Satyanshu Singh and Arkesh Ajay. From the very first scene, it grips you—tense, fast-paced, and laced with unexpected humor. In an interview with film critic Baradwaj Rangan, journalist and author, Sunetra Choudhury talks about how the screenplay focused on aspects of the book that would make for compelling cinema.
The writing is intelligent, layered, and relentlessly engaging. Many scenes feel fresh and unlike anything seen before in Indian TV shows. Some kept me on the edge of my seat, others left me deep in thought, and a few even made me laugh out loud—a rare combination that makes Black Warrant truly exceptional from a writing standpoint.
Another standout aspect of the show is its impeccable casting and performances. Every actor fits their role like a glove, bringing authenticity through nuanced expressions, effortless improvisations, pitch-perfect dialogue delivery, and spot-on accents.
Among them, Rahul Bhat as DSP Rajesh Tomar and Zahan Kapoor as Sunil Gupta deliver compelling performances. Sidhant Gupta as Charles Sobhraj steals the show whenever he’s on screen, armed with some of the series’ best lines. He portrays the serial killer as a celebrity, delivering the show’s most philosophical one-liners.
The production design is also exceptional, meticulously recreating the era while keeping the storytelling sharp and modern. The editing is crisp, leaving no loose ends, making Black Warrant an engrossing, fast-paced thriller—despite being set within the confines of a prison.
Verdict:
Black Warrant is a must-watch for fans of the genre. It transports you to a bygone era, peeling back the layers of India’s most infamous prison with gripping storytelling and immersive detail. Riveting, raw, and unexpectedly entertaining—this is prison drama at its finest.
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
My Rating: ★★★★☆
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About the author:
Siddhartha Krishnan is the author of ‘Two and a Half Rainbows – A Collection of Short Stories’. An enthusiastic blogger he shares his articles, essays, travelogues, book and movie reviews on his blog (www.whatsonsidsmind.com).