Cartel

Introduction

Cartel is a gripping Indian action-drama web series produced by Ekta Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms. The series, boasting a star-studded cast, including Supriya Pathak, Rithvik Dhanjani, Jitendra Joshi, Tanuj Virwani, and Divya Agarwal, was released on 20th August 2021. Set in Mumbai, the plot weaves a narrative around five gang lords—Khan, Anna, Angre, Gajraj, and an enigmatic movie producer. These five gangs rule the city's underworld under the watchful eyes of the Iron Lady, Rani Maai, maintaining a sense of relative peace and order while engaging in their clandestine activities.

Feel the pulse of Mumbai's fierce underworld like never before with the action-drama web series, Cartel. It is a thrilling roller coaster ride through the enigmatic world of the city's criminal elements, Cartel promises to keep you on your toes, episode after episode, with its engrossing narrative.

Table of contents

• Details

• Plot

• Release

• Episodes

• Cast

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Spoilers

• Behind the Scenes

• Review

• Awards

• How to Book Personalised Celebrity Video Message on Tring?

Details

Plot

Play

Cartel is centered around the Angre family, headed by Rani Maai, ruling the underworld of Mumbai among five criminal gangs. Rani Maai's power is challenged when her family takes center stage in a violent coup. The story unfolds as Major Bhau, Abhay, Aarya, and Gracie, Rani Maai’s children, are pushed into the lethal world of power, violence, and politics. They must strive to protect their family and assert their dominance, all while navigating complex interpersonal dynamics, betrayals, and their individual aspirations. This riveting series explores power, politics, and the constant struggle for dominance in the underworld.

Release

The action-packed web series Cartel premiered on 20th August 2021. This unmissable crime-drama, produced by Balaji Telefilms, is available for streaming on the popular digital platform ALTBalaji and MX Player.

Episodes

Cast

• Supriya Pathak as Rani Mai- Supriya Pathak is a renowned Indian actress with an illustrious career spanning over three decades. Known for her versatility, her notable works include TV shows 'Khichdi,' and films 'Ram-Leela' and 'Wake Up Sid'.

• Rithvik Dhanjani as Abhay Angre- Rithvik Dhanjani is a talented Indian actor and television host. He rose to fame with leading roles in TV shows like 'Pavitra Rishta', and has gone on to host 'Super Dancer' and acted in web series such as 'Cartel.'

• Tanuj Virwani as Ex-Major Arjun Mhatre/ Major Bhau- Tanuj Virwani is a promising Indian actor and model, known for his roles in films such as 'Luv U Soniyo' and 'One Night Stand.' He's also appeared in acclaimed web series like 'Inside Edge' and 'Cartel.'

• Divya Agarwal as Grizzey- Divya Agarwal is a popular Indian television personality and model. She rose to fame as a participant in 'Splitsvilla 10', went on to win 'MTV Ace of Space' and starred in the web series 'Cartel'.

• Jitendra Joshi as Madhukar Mhatre/ Madhu Mhatre- Jitendra Joshi is a versatile Indian actor known for roles across film, television, and theatre. His noteworthy performances include Marathi cinema like 'Duniyadari', the popular Netflix series 'Sacred Games', and the movie 'Ventilator'.

• Monica Dogra as Maya

• Samir Soni as Dorabjee- Samir Soni is a seasoned Indian actor and model, with an varied career in television, film and theatre. Recognised for his roles in TV shows like 'Parichay,' he's also starred in notable films like 'Baghban' and 'Fashion'.

• Shubhrajyoti Barat as Gajraj- Shubhrajyoti Barat is an accomplished Indian actor, notable for his work in theatre, films, and television. Renowned performances include roles in the movie 'Anarkali of Aarah', and web series such as 'Bandish Bandits' and 'Mirzapur'.

• Sushrii Mishra as Vaidehi- Sushrii Mishra is a celebrated Indian model and actress. Recognised for representing India in Miss United Continents 2015, she made her Bollywood debut in 'Zero' and has appeared in television series like 'Aarya'.

• Tannishtha Chatterjee as Romilla- Tannishtha Chatterjee is an acclaimed Indian actress, known globally for her performance in films such as 'Brick Lane', 'Parched', and 'Roam Rome Mein'. She has also appeared in TV series like 'Jamtara' and 'Gulabi Gang'.

• Girija Oak as Rama- Girija Oak is a talented Indian actress recognized for her work in Marathi and Hindi cinema, television, and theatre. She has starred in films like 'Taryanche Bait' and 'Shor in the City', and featured in the TV show 'Ladies Special'.

• Pranati Rai Prakash as Sumi

• Krishna Kaul as Javed- Krishna Kaul is an emerging Indian actor known for his portrayal of Ranbir Kohli in Zee TV's 'Kumkum Bhagya', and role in the web series 'Cartel'. He also starred in 'Gully Boy.

• Aditi Vasudev as Shweta- Aditi Vasudev is a skilled Indian actress known for impactful performances in films like 'Do Dooni Chaar' and 'Sulemani Keeda'. She has also shined in TV series such as 'Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai'.

• Mayur More as Chiru

• Gaurav Sharma as ACP Dixit

• Kannan Arunachalam as Anna

• Amey Wagh as Dhawal- Amey Wagh is a versatile Marathi and Hindi actor celebrated for his roles in 'Muramba', 'Faster Fene', and 'Sacred Games' on Netflix. He's also acclaimed for his theatre performances.

• Sanaya Pithawalla as Shreya

• Mrinal Dutt as Yograj

• Anil George as Khan

• Ashwath Bhatt as Chairman

• Mrinal Das as Suraj

Crew 

• Director - Ankkitha Maithy
• Writer- Sambit Mishra
• Producer- Sunil Manchanda
• Cinematographer- Rajiv Singh
• Editor- Prashant Panda 

Character AnalysisPlay

Rani Maai (Supriya Pathak)

After being attacked in the first episode, Rani Maai's recovery and return to power make for a central plot point of the series.

Madhu Bhau (Jitendra Joshi)

Rani Maai's son and a man of many layers -- a passionate lover, committed husband, doting father, killer, and a devoted nephew. His character brings a spark of humor and great self-awareness.

Arjun Mhatre aka Major (Tanuj Virwani)

Playing Rani Maai’s son and able heir, his character represents the thinker in the family. A former Major in the Indian army who leaves everything to take care of his family, his role constitutes a major part of the storyline.

Abhay Angre (Rithvik Dhanjani)

A competent and capable member of the Angre family, Abhay aims to fulfill the family's expectations, maintain their dominance in the city, and navigate the complexities of the underworld.

Spoilers

• Attack on Rani Maai (Episode 1): The series kicks off with the powerful matriarch of the Angre family, Rani Maai, being attacked, leading to confusion and power struggles among the family and the underworld.
• Aarey Forest Protest (Episode 2): Dhaval is staging a protest against a construction in Aarey Forest. His character gets attacked, introducing a new twist in the storyline.
• Rani Maai Regains Consciousness (Episode 11): Rani Maai comes out of her coma ready to assert control over the gang. She calls for a gang leader conference, setting the pace for upcoming plots twists.
• Betrayal and Apologies (Episode 12 - 13): Abhay feels betrayed when he is not announced as the new leader of the Angre gang. He later apologizes and tries to integrate back into the family, but it is hinted there could be ulterior motives.
• Multiple Power Moves (Episode 14): In the finale, Dhaval gets a proposal he can't refuse, Gajraj disguises himself as a double agent, and Arjun discovers the truth too late. This sets the stage for potential conflicts in the next season.

Behind the scenes

Model and reality show winner Divya Agarwal shared her astonishing transformation into an old man for the web series 'Cartel'. She took to Instagram to share a picture and time-lapse video of her prosthetic makeup, which took nearly 2 hours to apply. Divya expressed gratitude to the Alt Balaji team and Ekta Kapoor for their support and belief in her acting abilities. She highlighted how her role in 'Cartel' demonstrates her passion and love for cinema. Interestingly, Divya revealed that she began working on 'Cartel' on her birthday in 2019 and that her father was proud of her choice, as the genre was his favorite. She reflects on the importance of believing and manifesting, emphasizing happiness in one's work as a significant achievement.

Review

User Review

Cartel has received a mixed to positive reception from the audience. Some viewers applauded the storytelling and highlighted the stellar performances from the cast, mentioning particularly the roles of Supriya Pathak as Rani Maai, Rithvik Dhanjani as Abhay Angre, Tanuj Virwani as Major Bhau, and Jitendra Joshi as Madhu Bhau. They also praised the character development, the engaging screenplay, and the detailed writing that kept them hooked till the end. Some viewers even appreciated the humor and the show's depiction of family dynamics.

However, there were several viewers who criticized the background music, citing it as frequently irritating and overdone. Additionally, certain viewers thought that the show was unnecessarily lengthy and could have done away with some subplots. Despite the criticisms, the series has its share of fans who are eagerly awaiting the second season. They appreciated the unexpected twists and turns, as well as the cliffhanger ending.

Tring Review

The web series 'Cartel' delivers a gripping tale of power, politics, and familial bonds set against the gritty backdrop of Mumbai's underworld. Throughout its layered narrative, packed with unexpected twists and turns, the series examines the dynamics of the gangster world while also weaving in elements of familial drama. On the positive side, 'Cartel' shines in its portrayal of leads. Supriya Pathak as Rani Maai brings great depth and strength to her character. The performances by Rithvik Dhanjani as Abhay Angre and Tanuj Virwani as Major Bhau are also commendable. Their varied portrayals add rich complexity to the series' narrative. 

However, 'Cartel' is not without its flaws. The most conspicuous drawback is the soundtrack. The frequent use of loud and dramatic background music is often overdone and tends to take away from the dialogue's impact. Some subplots could also have been avoided, as they add to the length of the series without necessarily advancing its main narrative. Lastly, though the use of vernacular profanity may lend authenticity to the series' portrayal of its characters and setting, it occasionally feels excessive. To conclude, 'Cartel' is a noteworthy addition to the crime genre landscape, filled with suspense, drama, and a touch of sentimentality. Its intricate narrative compels the viewer to ponder upon the characters' decisions and their far-reaching consequences.

Tring Rating: 3.5/5

Awards

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