Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is a compelling but contradictory text. It offers a taut, well-acted crime thriller that captures the texture of Bihar’s turbulent 1990s. However, its politics are slippery: it critiques the system yet champions its agent; it gestures at caste yet mutes it; it depicts rural poverty without analyzing its causes. Ultimately, the series succeeds as entertainment but falls short as social critique. It leaves the viewer with a haunting question: in the labyrinth of law and lore, is the khakee (the uniform) a shield or a mask?
Set between 2000 and 2006, the narrative follows (Karan Tacker), a righteous IPS officer posted to Bihar. Initially struggling with the state's complex socio-political landscape, Lodha soon finds himself on the trail of Chandan Mahto (Avinash Tiwary), a fictionalized version of real-life gangster Pintu Mahto. Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (TV Series 2022) - IMDb
The show features a talented ensemble cast, including Avinash Tiwary, Yashaswi Yadav, and Vijay Raaj, among others. Avinash Tiwary, who plays the lead role of Sub-Inspector Surya Dev Singh, delivers a impressive performance, bringing depth and nuance to his character. khakee: the bihar chapter
As Khalid tries to make a dent in the system, he faces resistance from his own colleagues and superiors, who are all part of the corrupt network. He also has to navigate the complex web of relationships between the police, politicians, and the public.
The story revolves around Sub-Inspector (SI) Khalid Rahmani (played by Avinash Pathak), a honest and upright police officer who is transferred to the Patna Police station. Upon his arrival, Khalid is exposed to the deep-seated corruption and nexus between politicians, police officials, and criminals in Bihar. Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is a compelling but
The series reproduces a familiar Hindi cinema convention: Bihar as a lawless, primitive space that needs a civilizing outsider. Lodha’s Rajasthan origins (a “more civilized” state) and his family’s fear of Bihar reinforce a north-south/north-north civilizational hierarchy. This has been criticized as “Bihari-phobic” storytelling (Kumar, 2022).
Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is a gripping and thought-provoking web series that explores the complexities of corruption and rebellion in Bihar. With impressive performances, direction, and production values, the show is a must-watch for anyone interested in a realistic and nuanced portrayal of the Indian context. Ultimately, the series succeeds as entertainment but falls
4/5 stars
is a gritty Indian crime thriller series that premiered on Netflix on November 25, 2022. Created by acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Pandey and directed by Bhav Dhulia, the show is an official adaptation of IPS officer Amit Lodha’s 2018 memoir, Bihar Diaries: The True Story of How Bihar's Most Dangerous Criminal Was Caught .
