Delhi Crime S3 Review: Shefali Shah’s Vartika Returns in Human Trafficking Investigation | Netflix

Review

In the episode of ‘Delhi Crime Season 3,’ at one point Vartika Chaturvedi (Shefali Shah) tells her officers that this case is personal, this is personal. The reason why that one line rings through is not only the fact that the case is personal, the show is, as well. In a nation where the morning newspaper shouts another tragedy each morning a woman was raped or murdered, a child lost, a family divided, ‘Delhi Crime’ seems more a reflection than a work of fiction.

Cast and Characters

Story and Direction

Directed by Tanuj Chopra, the series goes into the depth of the world of women and young girls being sold like a commodity, crossing boundaries, sold off in marriage, or even being sold to sex. Some are abducted and others enticed or threatened.

The story also includes some allusions to the Baby Falak case the tragic real-life story of a little girl who was sexually assaulted and left alone on the streets in Delhi in 2012. The horror is real since it is a real one. These are what we read and silently hope never to hear on our door.

Key Takeaways

Shefali Shah’s Stellar Performance

Once again Shefali Shah portrays Vartika Chaturvedi with a solid belief. It is a relief to see her working as a police officer who is a leader, not an egoist. She bears the burden of a woman not giving up–on her case, her people or her country.

Huma Qureshi’s Villain Role

Among the newcomers, Huma Qureshi is performing well as Meena aka Badi Didi-the lady who is ruling her empire of evil with slow and quiet calm. Her dialect does slip in places but she redeems herself towards the end.

Social Commentary

The minor remarks that were interwoven with the story actually brought the season to a higher plane. The dominance of gender in the force is subtly portrayed, as Neeti is reluctant to sit down before Vartika, a suspect teasing Bhupi about her female boss, and nobody picking up on the fact that Simran has been missing two days.