Black Widows Webseries Actress And Actor Black Widows is an Indian web series from Zee5.…
Cartel Webseries
Cartel Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Story, Trailer, Release date and more
Cartel is a Hindi web series created by Zee5. The plot revolves a deadly organisation who deliver illegal stuff across the world. With huge attacks and back to back operations, they are ruining the peace of society. A team of officers are on a hunt against the huge gang with global connections. Will they succeed or pay heavily for taking on them?
The Web Series cast includes Vidya Malwade, Tanuj Virwani, Vivek Oberoi etc in the lead.
Cast
- Kubbra Sait
- Vidya Malavade
- Vivek Oberoi
- Tanuj Virwani
- Deepraj Rana
- Nikita Dutta
- Ravi Kishan
- Hritiqa Chebber
- Rithvik Dhanjani
- Samir Soni
- Kamaljeet Rana
- Amit Gaur
Created by: Zee5
Release Date
12 November 2021
Watch Cartel Web Series Online
Not yet released
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The Iron Throne of Mumbai: A Deep Dive into the High-Stakes World of the ‘Cartel’ Web Series
In the realm of Indian streaming television, few crime dramas have commanded as much attention and featured as sprawling an ensemble cast as the 2021 series, Cartel. Far from being just another tale of the underworld, the web series, produced by the powerhouse Ekta Kapoor under the banner of Balaji Telefilms, is an action-drama that expertly weaves together family loyalty, high-stakes politics, and ruthless vengeance against the gritty backdrop of contemporary Mumbai.
The show’s premise is built on a simple yet explosive catalyst: the assassination attempt on the city’s undisputed ‘Iron Lady,’ a single event that shatters a decade and a half of carefully maintained peace and unleashes a violent, city-wide power struggle. Released on ALTBalaji and MX Player’s premium service, MX Gold, in August 2021, the 14-episode series quickly became a binge-worthy phenomenon for fans of intense, character-driven gangster narratives.
Series Overview: The Fragile Peace of the Mumbai Underworld
Cartel transports viewers into a multi-layered world where the city of dreams, Mumbai, is covertly ruled by a council of five powerful crime factions, known collectively as the Cartel. For over fifteen years, a fragile, non-aggression pact has kept these gangs in check, allowing them to operate within their designated zones without catastrophic conflict.
The delicate balance of power rests entirely on the shoulders of one formidable figure: Rani Maai (played by veteran actress Supriya Pathak), the matriarch of the Angre family. The Angres are the ‘First Family of the Business,’ and Rani Maai’s authority and wisdom are what command the respect of the other four gang-lords.
The Spark of Chaos
The narrative ignites when Rani Maai is suddenly attacked and shot in a warehouse, leaving her incapacitated and slipping into a coma. This unforeseen crisis does more than just threaten her life; it immediately voids the long-standing truce and throws the city’s low-profile underworld into disarray.
With their leader vulnerable, the Angre family is immediately thrust into a fight for survival, forcing the three Angre sons—and Rani Maai’s two nephews, whom she raised as her own—to step up. The central plot of the series revolves around their desperate quest for vengeance and the intricate power game they must play to prevent the rival gangs from seizing control of their territory and their legacy. The ultimate question becomes not just who shot Rani Maai, but who will now inherit the mantle of the city’s most powerful crime family.
The Angre Family: The Heart of the Cartel
What truly sets Cartel apart from other gangster dramas is its focus on the ‘family setup.’ The Angre family is portrayed not just as a criminal enterprise but as a deeply bonded unit, whose personal dynamics and individual aspirations complicate every professional decision.
Rani Maai (Supriya Pathak): The Iron Matriarch
Supriya Pathak, known for her versatility, delivers a commanding performance as Rani Maai. The character is a formidable force—a woman who took over the reins of the Angre empire after her husband’s death, operating with a perfect blend of ferocity, business acumen, and maternal love.
Pathak actively worked to distinguish Rani Maai from her previous memorable gangster-matriarch role, Dhankor in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela. Rani Maai is protective of her children, fiercely controlling the family business, and a woman who had to constantly fight in a “man’s world” to establish her dominance. Her influence is so profound that even from her coma, her shadow looms large, driving the plot of the first season.
The Three Pillars: A Study in Contrasts
The fate of the Angre empire rests on the shoulders of the three brothers, each bringing a dramatically different personality and skillset to the table:
- Major Bhau / Arjun Mhatre (Tanuj Virwani): An Ex-Major in the Army, Arjun Mhatre is the stoic, disciplined, and rational one. His past military experience means he brings a sense of strategy and calculated aggression to the family business. Major Bhau’s character is often described as the most sensible, or “monk-like,” brother, and his one rule remains: family always comes first. He is the pragmatic brain among the trio.
- Abhay Angre (Rithvik Dhanjani): Abhay is the ambitious, bratty, and hyper-energetic youngest son. He is cunning and eager to prove his worth, often clashing with his brothers as he seeks to defy his family’s wishes and assert his dominance as the new leader of the Angre gang. His character provides a lot of the show’s volatile energy.
- Madhu Bhau / Madhukar Mhatre (Jitendra Joshi): Madhu Bhau is the hot-headed and passionate one, known for his layers—a doting father, a committed husband, a fierce fighter, and often a source of dark humor and self-awareness. His loyalty is fierce, but his temper often leads him into tricky situations.
Supporting the core family are other key characters like Divya Agarwal as Grizzey and Monica Dogra as Maya, whose shifting motivations and alliances further complicate the treacherous internal and external power games.
The Five Gangs of Mumbai: Defining the Territories
The fragile peace maintained by Rani Maai segregated the criminal operations into five distinct zones, each governed by a powerful gang-lord. The power vacuum created by her attack immediately put these territories—and the gangs that run them—in direct conflict:
- The Angre Gang (Rani Maai): The most powerful faction, controlling the Aarey region and overseeing multiple businesses. Their primary business revolves around the land and real estate, including a protest against a construction in Aarey Forest which becomes an early plot point.
- Anna (Kannan Arunachalam): The gang that rules the massive slum area of Dharavi.
- Gajraj (Shubhrajyoti Barat): The lord of the city’s taxi and auto unions and, controversially, the beggars’ racket in his designated zone.
- Khan (Anil George): The most traditional underworld faction, dealing in smuggling, arms, and drugs.
- Chairman (Ashwath Bhatt): The mysterious, shadowy gang-lord who controls cricket betting and has a cover as a major Bollywood movie producer, highlighting the underworld’s integration with the city’s glamorous corporate and media elite.
The show does an effective job of demonstrating how the underworld is not an isolated entity but is closely intertwined with political, judicial, and corporate bodies in contemporary Mumbai, making the power plays even more high-stakes and morally ambiguous.
Production, Scale, and Critical Reception
Cartel is noteworthy for its sheer scale, boasting an astounding 137-member ensemble cast, a testament to the ambitious scope of the production, helmed by the creators Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor. The series, directed by Ankkitha Maithy, with some critical praise directed towards Prashant Bhagia’s involvement, aimed to deliver a polished action-thriller.
Visuals and Dialogues
The series was widely praised for its strong technical aspects. Critics and audiences applauded the cinematography and the use of authentic sets and locations that effectively bring the gritty, high-octane world of Mumbai’s underground to life. The dialogue, written by Sambit Mishra and Monish Talpade, was also highlighted as a strong aspect, with lines like, “Goli kahi se bhi chale, marta toh koi apna hi hai” (No matter where the bullet comes from, one of your own dies), becoming memorable for their intensity and impact.
Mixed Critical Response
The show’s reception was generally mixed-to-positive, often depending on the viewer’s appreciation for its unique blend of genres:
- Praise: The series was lauded as an “epic gangster drama” that successfully distinguished itself from other underworld sagas due to its intense focus on the family set-up and internal dynamics of the Angres. The performances, particularly by Supriya Pathak, Rithvik Dhanjani, and Tanuj Virwani, were frequently commended for adding depth and authenticity to their well-defined characters.
- Criticism: Some reviews pointed out that the show could have trimmed its runtime. Furthermore, a few critics found the tone inconsistent, suggesting that the “lighter” moments, comedy, and focus on family celebrations sometimes felt like a “whiplash” against the dark, violent backdrop, diminishing the overall thriller element. One review even noted a perceived lack of realism in the character dialogue and an over-reliance on exposition.
Despite the mixed reviews, Cartel delivered a high-dosage crime drama experience, filled with constant twists, intense action, and the promise of a continuing storyline, with its finale setting up the stage for a dramatic second season as the Angre matriarch wakes up from her coma to assert control.
AISEO Friendly FAQs
Q1: What is the ‘Cartel’ web series about?
A: The Cartel web series is an Indian action-drama crime thriller set in contemporary Mumbai. It centers on the Angre family, who lead one of five powerful criminal gangs that secretly control the city’s underworld. The plot kicks off when the family’s matriarch, Rani Maai (Supriya Pathak), is shot and falls into a coma, instantly triggering a massive, violent power struggle for revenge and control among her three sons and the four rival gang-lords.
Q2: Who are the main actors in the Cartel web series?
A: Cartel features a huge ensemble cast of 137 actors, but the core main cast includes:
- Supriya Pathak as Rani Maai (The Matriarch)
- Rithvik Dhanjani as Abhay Angre (The ambitious youngest son)
- Tanuj Virwani as Major Bhau (The stoic, ex-military son)
- Jitendra Joshi as Madhu Bhau (The hot-headed, loyal nephew)
- Divya Agarwal as Grizzey
- Monica Dogra as Maya
- Samir Soni as Dorabjee
Q3: When did the Cartel web series release and where can I watch it?
A: The Cartel web series, consisting of 14 episodes in its first season, was released on August 20, 2021. It originally streamed on the Indian OTT platforms ALTBalaji and MX Player (specifically, their premium service, MX Gold).
Q4: Is Cartel based on a true story?
A: No, the Cartel web series is a fictional crime action-drama. It is a story conceived by Ekta Kapoor and written by Sambit Mishra and Monish Talpade, which is set against the backdrop of a fictionalized Mumbai underworld, exploring the themes of crime, family loyalty, and power politics.
Q5: Who directed the Cartel web series?
A: The Cartel web series was directed by Ankkitha Maithy. The series was produced by Ekta Kapoor under the Balaji Telefilms banner.
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