Dahaad Ending Explained, Check out the Plot and Cast
by Aishwarya R | Updated May 12, 2023
Dahaad
Dahaad is a crime, mystery, and thriller web series in Hindi created by Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar, directed by Reema Kagti and Ruchika Oberoi, and starring Sonakshi Sinha, Gulshan Devaiah, Sohum Shah, Vijay Varma, Manyuu Doshi, Yogi Singha, Sanghmitra Hitaishi, Ratnabali Bhattacharjee, Varad Bhatnagar, Nirmal Chiraniyan, Vijay Kumar Dogra, Abhishek Bhalerao, and Waris Ahmed Zaidi.
It is the first Indian web series to premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, where it will compete for the Berlinale Series Award. The show will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video from May 12th.
The trailer for "Dahaad" was released on May 3rd, 2023. The web series premiered on February 22nd, 2023, at the 73rd Berlin International Film Festival in Germany. It will be available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video in 240 countries.
Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV gave "Dahaad" a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and wrote, "The eight-part show, created by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti and produced by Excel Media and Tiger Baby, is devoid of the visceral and the explosive. It has no major action scenes, no chase sequences, and no playing to the gallery by the law enforcers on the trail of a psychopath. What the series does have is the spark to make the most of a classic crime-and-punishment tale rendered as piercing, rooted social chronicle."
A critic from the Hindustan Times praised Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar and wrote, "Dahaad is controlled and superbly orchestrated, never giving way to the sensational tone of serial killer crusades and dramatic monologues with wide-eyed close-ups." India Today wrote, "All in all, "Dahaad" is a treat for fans of cop thrillers who have been complaining about not watching a good one lately."
Dahaad Ending Explained
In the final episodes of the series, the police finally catch Anand Swarnakar, the serial killer responsible for the disappearance and death of many women. Anand is revealed to have a disturbing history of violence and abuse towards women, stemming from his childhood experiences and twisted beliefs about women.
The police are able to link Anand to the murders through DNA evidence found at the crime scenes, and he is ultimately arrested and charged with his crimes. The ending sees Anjali Bhaati and Devilal Singh reflecting on the case and the impact it has had on them personally, as well as on the wider issue of violence against women in society.
The ending of Dahaad is a satisfying conclusion to the story, with the killer being brought to justice and some closure being achieved for the families of the victims. The series also serves as a commentary on the importance of addressing societal issues like violence against women and challenging harmful beliefs and behaviors that contribute to it.
Sonakshi Sinha portrays Anjali Bhaati flawlessly. Whether it’s her accent or her body language as a cop, she has nailed it. It’s exciting to Sinha in a series that showcases her superb acting ability. Gulshan Devaiah, who plays Devilal Singh, lends Sonakshi and her character Anjali tremendous support. Devilal acts rationally and doesn’t let his feelings interfere with his work. Sohum Shah has compelling character development. We have seen crooked cops like Kailash Parghi in many movies and shows. But he leaves you surprised in the end.
Dahaad Plot
The story of Dahaad takes place in Mandawa, Rajasthan. At the start, the police are dealing with a case where a Muslim man and a Thakur's daughter fall in love and elope, causing protests and violence due to the perceived religious divide. Meanwhile, the police are also investigating the disappearances of many women in different towns and villages, with 27 cases in total and some of them appearing to be suicides. The trailer has already revealed that Anand Swarnakar is the serial killer responsible for these crimes.
While the identity of the killer is not a mystery to the viewers, the police are unaware and must uncover the truth. The first two episodes deal with the build-up and the religious angle, which is ultimately a distraction from the main plot. However, episodes 3 to 6 evolve the pacing and plot into a disturbing and intriguing storyline that gradually reveals Anand's actions and motivations. The last two episodes, however, drag on and reveal Anand's past, which appears to be unrelated to the main plot.
Dahaad does not shy away from making political commentary, particularly on religious prejudice and discrimination against lower caste individuals. The series highlights the mistreatment of women and the challenges faced by women in male-dominated professions. Anjali Bhaati, the lead police officer, faces catcalling and unfair.
Dahaad portrays a world where women face significant safety challenges. The series evokes a strong sense of unease while watching. While certain episodes are gripping, others can be rather monotonous. The performances by the cast are exceptional.
Dahaad Review
A young woman's lifeless body is discovered in a locked public restroom in a small town in Rajasthan. Adorned in bridal attire, with froth around her mouth and her body cold and stiff, the scene raises alarm. Assigned to the case are three police officers from the Mandawa police station. As they delve into the investigation, a sinister connection begins to surface. Over the years, similar deaths have occurred in different districts, suggesting the work of a serial killer who specifically targets emotionally vulnerable girls.
"Dahaad," a production by Tiger Baby-Excel Entertainment, directed by Reema Kagti and Ruchika Oberoi, adeptly captures the atmospheric essence. The eight-part series presents visually captivating settings, from cramped urban apartments in Jaipur to sprawling residences in smaller communities, with never-ending roads and a relentless murderer on the loose. However, despite the anticipation of heart-pounding suspense and breathless moments as the killer hunts down new victims, the series falls surprisingly flat.
It lacks any attempt to conceal the murderer's identity, as we are made aware of it right from the start. Since it is not a traditional whodunit, the audience expects to understand the motive behind the killer's actions. Unfortunately, "Dahaad" stumbles in this aspect. The reasoning behind the antagonist's behavior fails to come across through their treatment of the victims. Instead, it necessitates a character explicitly stating it towards the end. While not all psychopaths can be easily labeled, I found myself waiting for a glimpse of inherent sadism and cruelty to evoke the necessary thrill. Instead, it remains disappointingly ordinary.
When it comes to the aspect of how the crimes were committed, the team comprising Sonakshi Sinha, Gulshan Devaiah, and Sohum Shah gradually connect the dots, plunging into the rhythm of a rural police procedural. The revelation becomes evident even before that for astute viewers, and from there on, the series becomes a bit of a stretch.
Meanwhile, the story weaves in the burning themes of religious polarization, caste oppression, and the challenges of patriarchy, albeit with some unevenness, into the narrative of the serial killer. Sonakshi Sinha portrays Anjali Bhaati, a dedicated cop who faces constant pressure from her mother to get married. Her mother's persistent refrain of "Who will marry you?" keeps echoing, and Bhaati, grappling with the dual burden of being a woman and belonging to a "lower caste," dodges these maternal missiles. Gulshan Devaiah plays Devi Singh, the committed station in-charge, whose wife and two kids hardly see him as much as they would like to. Sohum Shah portrays Kailash Parghi, a brooding individual longing for a promotion, resentful of Bhaati Sa'ab taking the lead in the investigation. In his personal life, things are not going as planned either, and he is far from pleased upon learning about his wife's pregnancy.
The domestic lives of the police officers add an interesting layer to the narrative, but repetitive cycles seep in here as well. Pargi continually laments the state of the world, questioning why anyone would want to bring a child into it. Singh's wife disapproves of their teenage daughter's pursuit of sports and constantly complains to her husband, who is enthusiastically supportive of their daughter's aspirations.
Vijay Varma, who portrays a college professor entangled in a complex personal life with his wife having an affair, a more successful younger brother, and a constantly disparaging father, has the potential to elevate the story. However, due to an underdeveloped backstory, his impact is not as profound as his usual effortless performances. One particular storyline involving a student's infatuation with her handsome teacher concludes rather abruptly.
Dahaad Series Where to Watch?
Dahaad is streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Ensure you have an active subscription to Amazon Prime Video. If you don't have a subscription, you can sign up for one on the Amazon website. Visit the Amazon Prime Video website or open the Amazon Prime Video app on your preferred device.
Log in to your Amazon account using your credentials. Once logged in, use the search bar or browse through the available categories to find "Dahaad. "Click on the "Dahaad" series to access its page. On the series page, you'll find information about the show, including its synopsis, cast, and user reviews. Look for the "Watch Now" or "Play" button and select it.
If there are multiple episodes, you can choose to start from the beginning or select a specific episode to begin watching. Enjoy watching "Dahaad" on Amazon Prime Video at your convenience. You can pause, resume, or navigate between episodes as desired.
Dahaad Ending Explained - FAQs
Dahaad is a thriller series that revolves around a series of mysterious deaths of emotionally vulnerable girls in different districts. Three police officers are assigned to the case and uncover a dark pattern, indicating the work of a serial killer.
Dahaad is directed by Reema Kagti and Ruchika Oberoi.
You can stream Dahaad on Amazon Prime Video.
No, Dahaad is a work of fiction and not based on a true story.
Dahaad consists of eight episodes in total, each contributing to the suspenseful narrative.