Bad Cop Season 1 Review : Prioritises thrills over narrative depth and cohesive storytelling

Story: Adapted from the German series Bad Cop: Kriminell Gut, Bad Cop hinges on the polar opposite personalities and lives of twin brothers, a no-nonsense cop and a foxy thief. A dramatic twist throws their worlds into chaos, altering the course of their lives forever.

Review: Director Aditya Datt presents a mass entertainer with high-octane action sequences, quirky villains, and thrilling cop-versus-criminal showdowns. The series kicks off with a bang—a murder and a fight scene between twin brothers Karan-Arjun (Gulshan Devaiah in a dual role) and gangsters. What follows is an identity mix-up of the tough cop and his cunning petty criminal brother, and its repercussions on their lives.

While the premise of mistaken identity involving twins is familiar, the eight-part series presents weaves together multiple tracks and plotlines. The core confusion surrounding the twins influences all the other tracks—Karan and his cop wife and boss Devika (Harleen Sethi) as well as Arjun and his thug girlfriend Kiki’s (Aishwarya Sushmita) relations. A CIB (Crime Investigation Bureau) officer, Arif Khan (Saurabh Sachdeva), is investigating his journalist friend’s murder. Meanwhile, a ruthless gangster, Kazbe, orchestrates crime from behind bars, while his nephew seeks revenge on the brothers. Hints of a larger conspiracy emerge, and flashbacks reveal the twins' past at an orphanage.

Each 35-minute episode attempts to juggle these various plotlines. While the pacing is brisk, the short runtime hinders in-depth exploration, making the narrative sketchy for most of the series. Character development and emotional arcs take a backseat as the series prioritises action and plot twists.

Gulshan Devaiah delivers a dynamic performance, excelling in action sequences as both Karan and Arjun. Harleen Sethi impresses as the tough cop frustrated by Karan, both professionally and personally, and showcases her fighting skills. She exhibits her prowess in a scene where she confronts a corrupt politician trying to free smuggled goods confiscated by her team. Saurabh Sachdeva portrays a promising character, but the role doesn't fully utilise his talent. Anurag Kashyap, as a foul-mouthed don, seems to have the most fun portraying a character who will remind you of the eccentric villains he has created as a director.

Bad Cop isn't about a gritty concept or a gripping narrative. It's a high-octane action ride with a dash of humour for viewers seeking a quick and entertaining escape.