Black Warrant

Binged watched - Black Warrant ( Netflix) last night. 7 episodes each of around 45 minutes . Set in Tihar Jail during the late 70s and early 80s, Black Warrant is a retro drama seen through the eyes of a rookie jailor, played brilliantly by Zahan Kapoor (grandson of Shashi Kapoor). If you enjoy Vikramaditya Motwane's work (Jubilee, Udaan, Lootera, Trapped, Sacred Games), this series is a must-watch. Based on a book by a Tihar jailor and journalist, it covers key events of the time, including Charles Sobhraj's imprisonment, high-profile executions like those of Ranga-Billa and Kashmiri terrorist Maqbool Bhat, and the impact of Indira Gandhi's assassination on a burning Delhi and Tihar Jail. The performances stand out. Zahan Kapoor shines as a jailor - torn between his conscience and harsh realities. Rahul Bhat is excellent as a corrupt yet skilled senior jailor managing the overcrowded, filthy prison. Paramveer Singh Cheema impresses as a young Sikh jailor juggling chaos at work and personal turmoil, with a magnetic screen presence. Sidhant Gupta captures Charles Sobhraj's charisma, from his French-accented English to his luxurious lifestyle even in jail. Another actor who plays young Hariyanvi Jailor is also good and so is Ranjendra Gupta as upright jail accountant. Slow, gripping, and very realistic Black warrant is highly recommended!