Introduction:
What happens when five ordinary women running a simple dabba service get pulled into the dark world of crime? Dabba Cartel, Netflix’s latest thriller, takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the streets of Mumbai, where an unexpected drug operation turns middle-class dreams into a high-stakes nightmare.
Produced by Excel Entertainment and directed by Hitesh Bhatia, the series boasts a stellar cast, including Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, Nimisha Sajayan, and Gajraj Rao. It promises a gripping blend of drama, crime, and suspense, exploring ambition, greed, and survival in a world where nothing is as it seems.
With a pharma scandal, a tangled investigation, and women caught in a dangerous game, Dabba Cartel is set to keep us on edge. Stay tuned for an episode-wise deep dive into this thrilling saga—because once the lunchbox opens, there’s no telling what secrets might spill out.
The episode kicks off with a fatal accident in Amritsar, revealing the presence of a banned opioid, Modella. This sets off a chain reaction, dragging pharma giant VivaLife into a scandal. CEO Shankar rushes to handle the crisis while the FDSCO begins an aggressive investigation. Meanwhile, his wife, Varuna, offers help but is dismissed.
In the same society, Raji and Mala run a dabba service—but with a secret. Mala suggests expanding their “special deliveries,” but Raji is hesitant. Their search for a new business space leads them to Shahida, a realtor willing to help despite the risks.
Back at VivaLife, Hari, Raji’s husband, desperately pushes for a transfer to Germany. When the FDSCO tightens its probe, he pulls a stunt—triggering the fire alarm to disrupt the investigation. Shankar takes notice, hinting at bigger rewards for his loyalty.
As Pathak, the investigator, digs deeper, he stumbles upon a mysterious employee ID linked to Modella. Meanwhile, Mala’s boyfriend, Santosh, pressures her into smuggling weed through their deliveries, blackmailing her with an explicit video. She gives in but keeps it from Raji.
The episode ends with a major slip-up—Mala leaves a bag of weed in the new business space. Shahida finds it and immediately calls Raji, leaving her stunned.
Dabba Cartel starts as a slow burn, focusing more on setup than action. The pharma scandal and drug trade subplot create intrigue, but the first episode spends more time laying the groundwork for its characters. Mala and Raji’s contrasting personalities add depth, while Hari’s desperation and Shankar’s scheming hint at larger conflicts ahead.
The pacing is deliberate, but the final moments deliver a solid hook. With the investigation closing in and personal betrayals brewing, the upcoming episode has all the makings of a gripping follow-up. While not a high-octane premiere, it plants enough seeds to keep us invested.
