Birangana Season 1 Review: A roller-coaster ride in a world of trauma, horror and thrills

Time of India

2 days ago

After Shikarpur and Dainee, Nirjhar Mitra returns to the darker corners of the Bengali crime thriller genre with Birangana. This time, the story centers on sub-inspector Chitra (Sandipta Sen), a sharp but emotionally scarred police officer. She begins to connect the dots between a series of eerily similar 'suicides' that she suspects are actually murders. As her instincts prove correct, Chitra is given greater responsibility – only to realise that the killer is not just clever but always one step ahead.
The show skillfully balances procedural elements with psychological depth. The pace is brisk, with most episodes ending on just the right note of tension. The musical score, featuring iconic tracks from the 2010s, adds unexpected emotional weight – at times delivering a nostalgic jolt. Rearranged songs from Jeet Gannguli and Anupam Roy's golden eras serve as thematic devices and mood-setters, enhancing the narrative rather than distracting from it. Viewers may even find themselves eagerly anticipating which song will play next.
Visually, Birangana makes a strong impression. It features generous use of drone shots, high-angle frames, meticulously designed sets, and stylized lighting. While some murder scenes verge on theatricality, this approach highlights the cruelty of the acts.
Sandipta Sen anchors the show's emotional core. As Chitra, she skillfully portrays the journey of a woman who starts off isolated and mistrusted at work, gradually earning the respect of her colleagues. One particularly memorable scene – where she's half-laughing, half-crying – lingers in the mind, capturing both the trauma she carries and the warmth of relief when someone finally stands by her. Her emotional moments hit the mark, though her action sequences could benefit from more refinement.
Niranjan Mondal as Chirayu commands attention, often stealing scenes with his volatile mix of menace and wit. A standout interrogation scene crackles with unspoken tension. Anirban Bhattacharjee's Boral embodies the 'bad cop' archetype effectively, while Prateek Dutta offers a grounded counterbalance – initially judging Chitra but gradually building trust and respect.
While the plot echoes elements from recent thrillers like Mardaani 2, Stree, and even Stree 2 – particularly in the villain's psychology and motives – Birangana keeps the suspense fresh through tight writing, emotional layering, and steady pacing. It's a stylish, emotionally anchored crime series that goes beyond shock value, inviting viewers to care deeply about its protagonists and their struggles – and you just might find yourself doing exactly that.