Black Warrant Review: A Haunting Dive into Tihar’s Dark Realities

 Dr Ramandeep Mahal reviews 'Black Warrant'.

Netflix’s latest crime drama, Black Warrant, is a gripping adaptation of the autobiographical book by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury. Created by Vikramaditya Motwane and Satyanshu Singh, the seven-episode series transports viewers into the brutal and unforgiving world of Tihar Jail in the early 1980s. Through the eyes of Sunil Kumar Gupta (played by a stellar Zahan Kapoor), a newly appointed assistant superintendent, the show unravels the harsh realities of India’s most infamous prison—where justice often bends to power, and survival is a game of wits.

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Tihar Jail, home to some of the country’s most notorious criminals, serves as a microcosm of a broken system—overcrowded cells, an understaffed administration, and a legal framework where wealth and influence dictate fate. Many inmates have completed their sentences or were wrongfully convicted, yet remain trapped in an institution designed to punish rather than rehabilitate.

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As Gupta navigates his role, he becomes a witness to the executions of high-profile prisoners, including Kashmiri separatist Maqbool Bhat and child murderers Billa and Ranga. His experiences are further shaped by his encounters with infamous inmates like Charles Sobhraj (Sidhant Gupta), who, despite being behind bars, commands power and privilege within the jail. Sobhraj’s unsettling charm and foreign-accented wisdom—"Make friends, old chap"—linger as a reminder of the moral ambiguity that pervades Tihar’s walls.

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The series does more than showcase prison brutality; it delves into the ethical dilemmas of those who uphold the system. Sunil’s colleagues, ASP Mangat (Paramvir Singh Cheema) and ASP Dahiya (Anurag Thakur), offer contrasting perspectives—Mangat wrestles with his conscience, while Dahiya embraces violence and corruption as survival tools. Overseeing them all is DSP Rajesh Tomar (Rahul Bhatt), a swaggering, self-serving officer whose methods reflect the institution’s grim reality.

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Mukund Gupta’s meticulous production design and Saumyananda Sahi’s haunting cinematography immerse viewers in Tihar’s claustrophobic environment, where darkness—both literal and metaphorical—reigns. Ajay Jayanthi’s evocative score further amplifies the tension, making the weight of the inmates’ suffering almost palpable.

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Each episode revolves around a high-profile prisoner or case, interwoven with subplots like Mangat’s missing brother and a student researching inmate histories. While the non-linear narrative adds depth, it can occasionally feel disjointed as storylines resurface unexpectedly.

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Black Warrant is an intense and unflinching portrayal of a flawed system. Its raw depiction of violence, torture, and executions makes for a challenging watch, but Zahan Kapoor’s restrained yet compelling performance anchors the series. His portrayal of Sunil—idealistic yet increasingly hardened by his experiences—adds emotional weight to the narrative.

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With gripping storytelling, stellar performances, and striking visuals, Black Warrant is a haunting exploration of power, morality, and survival within Tihar Jail. It may not follow the conventions of a typical crime drama, but its impact lingers long after the credits roll. 8.5/10. A must-watch.