JillianCogburn at 12:40, 4 January 2026

2026-01-04T12:40:09Z

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{{Short description|Indian crime drama series on Netflix (2025)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Dabba Cartel.jpg
| caption = Promotional poster
| genre = Crime drama
| creator = [[Shibani Dandekar|Shibani Dandekar Akhtar]] Vishnu Menon [[Gaurav Kapur]] Akanksha Seda
| director = Hitesh Bhatia
| starring = [[Shabana Azmi]] [[Jyothika]] [[Shalini Pandey]] [[Bhupendra Jadawat]] [[Nimisha Sajayan]] [[Anjali Anand]]
| country = India
| language = Hindi
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 7
| company = [[Excel Entertainment]]
| cinematography = Eeshit Narain
| editor = Manas Mittal, Parikshhit Jha
| runtime = 45—56 minutes
| network = [[Netflix]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|df=yes|2025|02|28}}
| last_aired = present
}}

'''''Dabba Cartel''''' is a 2025 Indian [[Hindi]]-language [[crime drama]] series. Created by [[Shibani Dandekar|Shibani Dandekar Akhtar]], Vishnu Menon, [[Gaurav Kapur]], and Akanksha Seda, and directed by Hitesh Bhatia, the series is produced under [[Excel Entertainment]]. It stars [[Shabana Azmi]], [[Jyothika]], [[Shalini Pandey]], [[Nimisha Sajayan]], and [[Anjali Anand]] as a group of women operating a [[drug cartel]] under the guise of a food delivery company.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web |title=Dabba Cartel Season 1 Review: From tiffins to turf wars: these women mean business |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/dabba-cartel/dabba-cartel-season-1/seasonreview/118537550.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=8 March 2025}}</ref>

The series premiered on [[Netflix]] on 28 February 2025.

== Premise ==
''Dabba Cartel'' is set in the Mumbai suburb of [[Thane]]. The story revolves around five middle-class women running a traditional ''[[dabbawala]]'' (lunchbox) service. Unexpectedly, they become involved in a high-stakes drug operation, using lunchboxes to transport illicit goods. As their network expands, they must navigate dangerous criminals, law enforcement, and personal betrayals, all while maintaining the facade of their normal lives.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dabba Cartel review: Shabana Azmi, Jyothika, Shalini Pandey, Sunil Grover's thrilling drug tale on Netflix |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-dabba-cartel-review-shabana-azmi-jyothika-shalini-pandey-sunil-grover-s-thrilling-drug-tale-on-netflix-3136057 |website=DNA India |access-date=8 March 2025}}</ref>

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
* [[Shabana Azmi]] as Sheila “Ba” Jagtap: Hari’s mother; Raji’s mother-in-law
* [[Jyothika]] as Varuna Dasgupta (née Panikar): Owner of Sitara; Shankar’s wife
* [[Shalini Pandey]] as Raji Jagtap: Hari’s wife; Sheila's daughter-in-law
* [[Nimisha Sajayan]] as Mala: Raji’s business partner; Kunni’s mother; Varuna's ex-maid
*Prateik Pachori as Santosh: A drug dealer; Mala's boyfriend
* [[Anjali Anand]] as Shahida: A Real Estate broker; Preeti's love interest
* [[Gajraj Rao]] as Ajit Pathak: FDSCO inspector investigating Vivalife Pharmaceutical
* [[Sai Tamhankar]] as [[Sub-Inspector|SI]] Preeti: Shahida's love interest; Ajit’s partner in investigating Vivalife Pharmaceutical
* [[Lillete Dubey]] as Mrs. Moushami Majumdar: Sheila's best friend
** Mansi Sehgal as Young Moushami
* [[Jisshu Sengupta]] as Shankar Dasgupta: Head of Vivalife Pharmaceutical; Varuna's husband
* [[Bhupendra Jadawat]] as Hari Jagtap: Sheila’s son; Raji's husband
* [[Sushmita Mukherjee]] as Tejaswi Tijori: President of Vivalife Society
* Vivek Madan as Vinay: Vivalife Pharmaceutical employee
* Abhiijeet Chitre as Naresh
* Santanu Ghatak as Bhowmick Bose
* Sandesh Kulkarni as drug dealer Chavan
* Salim Husen Mulla as Ganya
* [[Sunil Grover]] as Chacko Kurian: drug lord (special appearance)
}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
The series was announced by [[Netflix India]] in 2023 as part of its collaboration with [[Excel Entertainment]]. It was conceived as a crime drama exploring women’s empowerment through an unconventional narrative.<ref>{{cite web |title=Netflix & Farhan Akhtar's 'Dabba Cartel' Review: Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Gajraj Rao's series is an ode to female friendship |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/shabana-azmi-jyotika-farhan-akhtar-gajraj-raos-dabba-cartel-review-refreshing-to-see-womens-solidarity-in-this-netflix-web-series-13867334.html |website=Firstpost |date=28 February 2025 |access-date=8 March 2025 |archive-date=28 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228091819/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/shabana-azmi-jyotika-farhan-akhtar-gajraj-raos-dabba-cartel-review-refreshing-to-see-womens-solidarity-in-this-netflix-web-series-13867334.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Filming ===
Principal photography took place in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.{{fact|date=June 2025}}

== Release ==
''Dabba Cartel'' was released worldwide on 28 February 2025, exclusively on [[Netflix]].{{fact|date=June 2025}}

== Reception ==
[[Shubhra Gupta]] of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' described it as a "trippy, twisted ride," particularly highlighting the lead cast's chemistry and the show's engaging plot.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |first=Shubhra|last=Gupta|title=Dabba Cartel review: A trippy, twisted ride |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/dabba-cartel-review-a-trippy-twisted-ride-9861274/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228235407/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/dabba-cartel-review-a-trippy-twisted-ride-9861274/ |archive-date=28 February 2025 |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=The Indian Express|date=28 February 2025 }}</ref> Archika Khurana of ''[[The Times of India]]'' called it "an engaging crime drama with strong female leads and a gripping storyline."<ref name="auto2" /> Margaret Lyons for ''[[NY Times]]'' wrote "This Indian Netflix series isn’t the most original thing ever, but it comes loaded with brains, humor and electric performances."<ref>{{cite news|first=Margaret|last=Lyons|title='Dabba Cartel' Is a Go-Go-Go Drama With Depth|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/arts/television/dabba-cartel-netflix.html|magazine=NY Times|date=4 March 2025|archive-date=5 March 2025|access-date=9 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305222900/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/arts/television/dabba-cartel-netflix.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Saibal Chatterjee]] of ''[[NDTV]]'' gave 3 stars out of 5 and said that "Uneven but always engrossing, Dabba Cartel has the potential for a longer run. It would be interesting to watch where the cartel goes from here and what shape their dabbas take. "<ref>{{Cite web |first=Saibal |last=Chatterjee |title=Dabba Cartel Review: Shabana Azmi's Performance Is Half The Battle Won|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/dabba-cartel-review-shabana-azmis-performance-is-half-the-battle-won-3-stars-7814536|date=28 February 2025 |website=NDTV}}{{rating|3|5}}</ref>
A critic for ''[[Bollywood Hungama]]'' rated the season, 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "''Dabba Cartel'' is an engaging watch, thanks to its intriguing premise, strong casting, and gripping execution that holds the audience's attention from start to finish. However, the cinematic liberties in the writing slightly diminish its overall impact."<ref>{{cite news|first=Bollywood|last=Hungama|title=Web Series Review: Dabba Cartel is an engaging watch, thanks to its intriguing premise, strong casting, and gripping execution|url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/web-series-review-dabba-cartel-engaging-watch-thanks-intriguing-premise-strong-casting-gripping-execution/|magazine=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|date=28 February 2025|archive-date=28 February 2025|access-date=9 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228172523/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/web-series-review-dabba-cartel-engaging-watch-thanks-intriguing-premise-strong-casting-gripping-execution/|url-status=live}}{{rating|3|5}}</ref>

[[Sukanya Verma]] of ''[[Rediff.com]]'' rated 3/5 stars and notes "''Dabba Cartel''’s reluctant black comedy in the body of a crime thriller starts out interestingly enough to accomplish its Narcos: Thane aspirations."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Sukanya |last=Verma |title=Dabba Cartel Review: High Five!|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/review/dabba-cartel-review/20250228.htm |date=28 February 2025 |website=Rediff}}{{rating|3|5}}</ref>
Shilajit Mitra of ''[[The Hindu]]'' observed that "This Netflix series wobbles between coolness and chaos, menace and mirth, never quite finding its pitch".<ref>{{Cite web |first=Shilajit |last=Mitra |title='Dabba Cartel' series review: Shabana Azmi, Jyotika show doesn't take off|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dabba-cartel-series-review-shabana-azmi-jyotika-netflix-gajraj-rao/article69274379.ece|date=28 February 2025 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>
Vineeta Kumar of ''[[India Today]]'' gave 2 stars out of 5 and commented that "You get enough surprises but are never taken aback by them. In the last episode, which is the longest at one hour-13 minutes, the climax is supposed to make your jaws drop. But, your jaws are only dropping from boredom as you drag yourself to finish the series with a wide yawn at the end.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Vineeta |last=Kumar |title=Dabba Cartel review: Shabana Azmi is a silent lioness in a challenging story|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/entertainment/ott/story/dabba-cartel-review-shabana-azmi-and-gang-will-make-your-jaws-drop-with-boredom-2686950-2025-02-28|date=28 February 2025 |website=The Hindu}}</ref> "
Abhimanyu Mathur of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' said that "Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, and Nimisha Sajayan's performances aside, this desi Narcos has little to offer."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Abhimanyu |last=Mathur |title=Dabba Cartel review: Shabana Azmi in Godmother mode is the saving grace of this tepid desi Narcos-meets-Breaking Bad|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/dabba-cartel-review-shabana-azmi-in-godmother-mode-is-the-saving-grace-of-this-tepid-desi-narcos-meets-breaking-bad-101740741402888.html|date=28 February 2025 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
Nandini Ramnath of ''[[scroll.in]]'' said "Dabba Cartel begins well, with potentially interesting characters and a set-up within the realm of the possible. Filled mostly with plainly attired women who barely wear make-up, Dabba Cartel feels like it could actually be happening."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Nandini |last=Ramnath |title='Dabba Cartel' review: Overcooked serving of Bad Pharma and the drug trade|url=https://scroll.in/reel/1078734/dabba-cartel-review-overcooked-serving-of-bad-pharma-and-the-drug-trade|date=28 February 2025 |website=Scroll.in}}</ref>
Lachmi Deb Roy of ''[[Firstpost]]'' gave 3.5 stars out of 5 and writes that "It has its flaws, but it’s insight into the narcos world is indeed priceless. And the realism in Dabba Cartel’s storytelling overshadows all the drawbacks."<ref>{{Cite web |first=Lachmi Deb |last=Roy |title=Netflix & Farhan Akhtar's 'Dabba Cartel' Review: Shabana Azmi, Jyotika and others give a refreshing take on women's solidarity|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/shabana-azmi-jyotika-farhan-akhtar-gajraj-raos-dabba-cartel-review-refreshing-to-see-womens-solidarity-in-this-netflix-web-series-13867334.html|date=28 February 2025 |website=Firstpost}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==
*Won : [[Over-the-top media service|OTTPlay Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Female)]] : [[Jyothika]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=OTTplay Awards 2025 full winners list: Kajol, Jaideep Ahlawat, Jyotika and others who won the prestigious trophy |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/ottplay-awards-2025-full-winners-list-kajol-jaideep-ahlawat-kani-kusruti-and-others-who-won-the-prestigious-trophy/da29aa6a14619 |access-date=3 June 2025 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 March 2025 |title=OTTPlay Awards 2025 full list of winners: Here's who won Best Film, Series Actor and Actress |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/ottplay-awards-2025-full-list-of-winners-heres-who-won-best-film-series-actor-and-actress-101742704307741.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250422010750/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/ottplay-awards-2025-full-list-of-winners-heres-who-won-best-film-series-actor-and-actress-101742704307741.html |archive-date=22 April 2025 |access-date=3 June 2025 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|15340954}}
* [https://www.netflix.com/title/81476853 ''Dabba Cartel''] on [[Netflix]]

[[Category:Hindi-language television shows]]
[[Category:Netflix original programming]]
[[Category:Netflix television dramas]]
[[Category:Indian crime television series]]
[[Category:Indian television series distributed by Netflix]]
[[Category:2025 Indian television series debuts]]
[[Category:Television series about the illegal drug trade]]
[[Category:Television series about organized crime]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Excel Entertainment films]]

Dabba Cartel - Revision history

JillianCogburn at 12:40, 4 January 2026