Black Widows Webseries Actress And Actor Black Widows is an Indian web series from Zee5.…
Six Suspects (Disney Plus Hotstar) Webseries Actress And Actor
Six Suspects (Disney Plus Hotstar) Webseries Actress And Actor
Richa Chadha and Pratik Gandhi are main cast of Six Suspects.
Six Suspects is an Indian Hindi language web series. Richa Chadha and Pratik Gandhi are main cast of Six Suspects. The web series is directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia.
Ajay Devgn is set to co-produce the series along with filmmaker Priti Sinha.
Six Suspects Web Series
| Network | Disney Plus Hotstar |
| Web Series | Six Suspects (2021) |
| Release Date | 2021 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Country | India |
| Genres | Drama |
| Main Cast | Richa Chadha, Pratik Gandhi |
| Director | Tigmanshu Dhulia |
Six Suspects Web Series Cast (Disney Plus Hotstar)
Here is cast list of web series ‘Six Suspects’,
- Richa Chadha
- Pratik Gandhi
- Ronjini Chakraborty
The Brilliant Ensemble: Exploring the Cast and Characters of ‘The Great Indian Murder’ (The Web Series Formerly Known as ‘Six Suspects’)
For fans of high-stakes political thrillers and complex murder mysteries, the Disney+ Hotstar Specials series, The Great Indian Murder, delivered an unmissable nine-episode saga. Initially widely known by its working title, Six Suspects, the series is a highly anticipated adaptation of the acclaimed 2008 novel of the same name by Vikas Swarup, the author behind the book that inspired the Oscar-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire.
Directed by the National Award-winning filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia, the show’s primary attraction was its star-studded ensemble cast, featuring two of the most celebrated contemporary actors from the Indian digital space, Richa Chadha and Pratik Gandhi, alongside veteran powerhouse Ashutosh Rana.
This article dives into the extraordinary talent that brings the characters of this sprawling, multi-layered investigation to life, focusing on the lead actress, the lead actor, and the incredible supporting cast who play the six principal suspects.
The Core Investigation: Richa Chadha and Pratik Gandhi
At the heart of The Great Indian Murder lies the uneasy and often conflicting partnership between two formidable investigating officers, each hailing from a different branch of law enforcement with their own set of rules and motivations.
Richa Chadha as DCP Sudha Bharadwaj
Richa Chadha takes on the role of DCP Sudha Bharadwaj, a determined and upright Delhi Police officer tasked with solving the high-profile murder of Vicky Rai.
In an industry often critiqued for its portrayal of female characters, Chadha’s Sudha Bharadwaj is noted as a tough, ruthless, and determined figure who navigates the male-dominated investigation world with unwavering integrity. The character is described as an individual who prioritizes the truth, a quality that puts her at odds with her CBI counterpart.
The Actress: A Master of the Non-Conformist Role
Richa Chadha has built her career on a foundation of critically acclaimed, non-conformist roles that challenge industry stereotypes. Her breakthrough performance came in 2012 in Anurag Kashyap’s crime drama, Gangs of Wasseypur, where she played the firebrand character Nagma Khatoon, earning her the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress.
- Critical Acclaim: She gained international recognition for her powerful and moving leading role in the 2015 drama Masaan, which received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival.
- Commercial Success: On the lighter side, she is widely celebrated for her memorable and commercially successful portrayal of the gangster ‘Bholi Punjaban’ in the Fukrey comedy franchise (2013, 2017, 2023).
- Digital Presence: Her experience in the streaming space includes the popular web series Inside Edge, where she played a struggling actress, and the recent historical drama series Heeramandi.
Her casting as DCP Sudha Bharadwaj in The Great Indian Murder was a natural fit, leveraging her proven ability to portray characters with complexity, grit, and a sharp inner strength.
Pratik Gandhi as CBI Officer Suraj Yadav
Pratik Gandhi portrays CBI Officer Suraj Yadav, an officer who joins the investigation. Suraj Yadav is a compellingly grey character—someone who represents the law but is also an opportunist, willing to bend rules and align his investigation to further the political agenda of the powerful. This grey layer and his easy transition between the dark and light sides of the law made the role a ‘whole new challenge’ for the actor.
The Actor: The Rise of a National Star
Pratik Gandhi’s career trajectory is a remarkable story of patience and talent. He was primarily a figure in Gujarati theatre and regional cinema for over a decade, having also worked as an engineer before making the leap to full-time acting in 2016.
- Early Success: His early career successes include the National Award-winning Gujarati film Wrong Side Raju (2016).
- The Breakthrough: Pratik Gandhi achieved massive pan-India stardom and critical acclaim for his phenomenal portrayal of stockbroker Harshad Mehta in the 2020 biographical web series, Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story.
- Post-Scam Era: The Great Indian Murder marked one of his first major post-Scam 1992 Hindi web series, where he consciously aimed to deliver a performance different from his now-iconic Harshad Mehta act. Since then, he has continued his successful run with roles in films like Madgaon Express (2024) and Do Aur Do Pyaar (2024).
His portrayal of Suraj Yadav—sharp, calculative, and ambitious—was widely lauded as another solid act that continued his momentum as one of the country’s most versatile actors.
The Men and Women with a Motive: The Ensemble Suspects
The central mystery of the series revolves around the murder of Vicky Rai, played with ‘lipsmacking arrogance’ by Jatin Goswami, the notorious and ruthless son of powerful politician Jagganath Rai (Ashutosh Rana). The six main suspects are a vast and colourful cross-section of Indian society, representing different cities, classes, and motives.
The actors who portray these suspects are renowned for their powerful performances, bringing an undeniable theatrical weight to the political and criminal drama.
The Powerhouse Veterans: Ashutosh Rana and Raghubir Yadav
| Actor | Character Name | Character Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Ashutosh Rana | Jagganath Rai | Vicky Rai’s father, a powerful and ambitious politician from Chhattisgarh. Despite his efforts to clear his son’s name in a prior murder case, he holds a strong agenda against his ungrateful son, making him a prime suspect. |
| Raghubir Yadav | Mohan Kumar | A retired bureaucrat suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder, who frequently believes he is an avatar of Mahatma Gandhi. His past connection with Vicky Rai places him as a potential avenger. Yadav’s performance was noted as a surprise package, blending dark comedy with tragedy. |
The New Age Performers: Paoli Dam, Shashank Arora, and Mani PR
| Actor/Actress | Character Name | Character Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Paoli Dam (Actress) | Shabnam Saxena | A Bollywood film actress, often referred to as a “sex symbol,” who has a crucial secret and a past encounter with Vicky Rai, who treated her with contempt. Her story serves as a significant catalyst in the plot. |
| Shashank Arora (Actor) | Munna | A petty, angst-ridden mobile thief from a slum who dreams of a better life. He is emotionally connected to Vicky Rai’s half-sister, Ritu Rai, and his backstory provides a grounding, empathetic contrast to the elite world of the other suspects. Arora’s portrayal was highlighted as superb. |
| Mani PR (Actor) | Eketi | An Andamanese tribal who travels all the way to Delhi on a sacred quest to recover a stolen idol of his community’s god, Ingetayi, which he believes is the cause of an epidemic plaguing his people. His journey brings him into the orbit of Vicky Rai’s murder. |
Other Key Players in the Web of Crime
The sprawling nature of the investigation brings other formidable actors into the spotlight, each representing a facet of the “Great Indian Murder” that permeates politics, media, and organized crime.
- Sharib Hashmi as Ashok Rajput: A key character whose backstory links him to a tragic incident involving Vicky Rai, arming him with a strong motive for revenge.
- Amey Wagh as Arun Deshmukh: An investigative journalist and vigilante who is determined to expose the powerful and corrupt, including Vicky Rai, whom he views as a “human virus.”
- Vineet Kumar as Ambika Prasad: A cautious and cunning politician, a mentor to Jagganath Rai, who pulls strings behind the scenes of the investigation to suit his political narrative.
The Legacy of the Series
The Great Indian Murder is more than just a whodunit; it is a sharp social commentary that uses a high-profile murder as a lens to examine the deep-rooted corruption, power dynamics, and social stratification across India. The seamless casting by Tigmanshu Dhulia, bringing together the raw, intense talent of Richa Chadha and Pratik Gandhi with the theatrical brilliance of the ensemble suspects, is what truly anchors the nine-episode series and secures its place as one of Disney+ Hotstar’s significant crime dramas.
The series does justice to its source material, Six Suspects, by meticulously developing the motive-laden backstories of a diverse group of people, making every actor a crucial piece in the intricate puzzle of the titular crime.
AISEO Friendly FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the actual name of the web series ‘Six Suspects’ on Disney+ Hotstar? | The actual name of the web series, which is based on the novel Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup, is ‘The Great Indian Murder.’ It premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on February 4, 2022. |
| Who are the main actress and actor in ‘The Great Indian Murder’? | The main investigating officers who lead the cast are Richa Chadha as DCP Sudha Bharadwaj and Pratik Gandhi as CBI Officer Suraj Yadav. |
| What is Pratik Gandhi’s role in the ‘Six Suspects’ series? | Pratik Gandhi plays the role of CBI Officer Suraj Yadav, a calculative and ambitious officer whose investigation into the murder of Vicky Rai is influenced by political motives. |
| Who are the main ‘Six Suspects’ characters in the web series? | The core group of suspects and key players surrounding the murder of Vicky Rai include Jagganath Rai (Ashutosh Rana), Mohan Kumar (Raghubir Yadav), Shabnam Saxena (Paoli Dam), Munna (Shashank Arora), Eketi (Mani PR), and Ashok Rajput (Sharib Hashmi). |
| Who is the director of ‘The Great Indian Murder’? | The web series is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia, known for his work in films like Paan Singh Tomar and web series like Criminal Justice. |
| Who plays the victim, Vicky Rai, in ‘The Great Indian Murder’? | The central murder victim, the powerful and ruthless son of the politician, Vicky Rai, is played by actor Jatin Goswami. |
| Is ‘The Great Indian Murder’ based on a true story? | No, The Great Indian Murder is not a direct true story. It is an adaptation of the 2008 fictional novel Six Suspects by Vikas Swarup. However, the initial murder in the novel is said to be loosely inspired by the real-life Jessica Lal murder case. |
Unravelling the Enigma: The Stars of ‘The Great Indian Murder’ (The ‘Six Suspects’ Web Series)
The world of Indian digital streaming has seen a surge in high-profile, dark crime thrillers, but few brought together a cast of powerhouse performers and a story as complex as the Disney+ Hotstar special, ‘The Great Indian Murder’. While the series is often referred to by the name of the source material—Vikas Swarup’s bestseller, Six Suspects—its official title perfectly encapsulates the sensational and sprawling nature of the crime at its heart.
Directed by the veteran filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia and produced by actor Ajay Devgn’s ADF and RLE Media, this nine-episode series is a masterclass in ensemble acting, where every character—from the investigating officers to the six potential killers—has a rich, layered, and often unsettling backstory.
The real strength of The Great Indian Murder lies in the diverse and critically acclaimed talent pool it assembled. This article dives into the key actresses and actors who anchored this gripping murder mystery.
The Premise: One Murder, Six Suspects, and The Nation’s Soul
The narrative of The Great Indian Murder begins with a shocking act: the assassination of Vicky Rai, the corrupt and debauched 32-year-old son of an influential politician, at a lavish party celebrating his acquittal in a double rape and murder case.
The central mystery is a classic whodunit, focusing on the titular six suspects who are found with a gun at the crime scene, each possessing a strong and deeply personal motive to kill the high-profile brat. The series cleverly uses the investigation to peel back layers of Indian society, exposing the deep-rooted corruption, political machinations, and socio-economic disparities that govern the suspects’ lives.
The Lead Investigators: A New Partnership
The investigative duo was an addition to the story made specifically for the screen adaptation. Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, who is known for creating gritty, realistic, and complex worlds, the two officers are distinct, grounded, and often at loggerheads, bringing their own moral and professional complexities to the case.
1. Richa Chadha as DCP Sudha Bharadwaj
Richa Chadha is one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation, renowned for taking on unconventional and strong-willed roles, such as her breakout performance as the foul-mouthed Nagma Khatoon in Gangs of Wasseypur and Bholi Punjaban in the popular Fukrey franchise.
In The Great Indian Murder, she plays the role of DCP Sudha Bharadwaj, an upright and seasoned Delhi Police investigating officer.
- The Character: Sudha is portrayed as a professional who tries to navigate a male-dominated system with dignity and subtle intelligence, often having to work against a backdrop of political pressure and internal corruption. The character is described as one of the most “upfront characters” the actress has ever played, making her presence one of the most vital components of the series. Her character also has a dark personal history with the victim, Vicky Rai, which complicates her professional involvement in the case.
- Performance Insight: Chadha brought a measured and “understated” performance to the role, choosing to convey the cop’s intelligence and internal conflict through her eyes and subtle body language rather than overt drama.
2. Pratik Gandhi as CBI Officer Suraj Yadav
Pratik Gandhi rose to pan-India stardom following his phenomenal portrayal of the infamous stockbroker Harshad Mehta in Scam 1992. His selection for this project was a significant announcement, confirming his status as a major new-age OTT star.
He stars as CBI Officer Suraj Yadav, a seemingly simple but complex investigator tasked with a parallel probe into the murder.
- The Character: Suraj Yadav is deliberately written as a “flawed, human character” with his own “complexes and politics,” a departure from the typical action-hero CBI officer stereotype. He is pragmatic, often bending or breaking the rules to facilitate his investigation, living in a constant ‘grey’ zone. The partnership between Richa Chadha’s straightforward Sudha and Gandhi’s morally ambiguous Suraj provides a captivating dynamic at the heart of the series.
- Behind the Role: Gandhi was eager to work with director Tigmanshu Dhulia, and despite the character not being in the original Six Suspects novel, the opportunity to develop a new, grounded, and complex character in the OTT space was a major draw for the actor.
The Cast of Suspects: A Cross-Section of India
The true ingenuity of Vikas Swarup’s novel, and consequently the series, is in presenting six suspects from wildly different social strata, each representing a unique flaw or segment of contemporary Indian society.
The Politician Patriarch
3. Ashutosh Rana as Jagannath Rai
A veteran known primarily for his powerful, often negative, and commanding roles in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil cinema, Ashutosh Rana brings his trademark intensity to the role of the victim’s father.
- The Character: He plays Jagannath Rai, the powerful, wily, and “power-mongering” Home Minister of Chhattisgarh (changed from Uttar Pradesh in the novel). Jagannath Rai is a man who has built his life on ambition and political maneuverings and is initially focused on using his power to get his son, Vicky Rai, acquitted of a previous crime. The murder of his son is a devastating blow, not just personally, but also politically, turning his private tragedy into a high-stakes, public spectacle.
The Bollywood Glamour Suspect
4. Paoli Dam as Shabnam Saxena
A prominent Bengali actress, Paoli Dam is known for her work in Bengali cinema, with a significant presence in the Hindi film and web space.
- The Character: She portrays Shabnam Saxena, a Bollywood sex symbol and a guest at Vicky Rai’s party. Shabnam is one of the six key suspects, whose glamorous exterior hides a compelling “guilty secret” and a connection to the victim that provides a powerful motive.
The Gandhian Imposter
5. Raghubir Yadav as Mohan Kumar
The venerable Raghubir Yadav is an acting institution, lauded for his versatile roles in parallel cinema and television. In this series, he gets perhaps the most fascinating and complex character of the entire ensemble.
- The Character: Yadav plays Mohan Kumar, a retired IAS officer who is one of the six primary suspects. His character is noted for having Dissociative Identity Disorder, causing him to frequently switch personalities from the shrewd, original bureaucrat to a peace-loving man who believes he is Mahatma Gandhi, calling himself Mohandas. The bizarre nature of his motive and his transformation offer a blend of dark comedy and tragedy to the storyline.
The Displaced & The Marginalized Suspects
The show meticulously details the lives of three other primary suspects, highlighting the contrast between the rich and powerful and the country’s marginalized population:
- Shashank Arora as Munna: Arora plays Munna, a small-time mobile thief from the slums of Delhi. His character’s backstory is one of the most compelling, chronicling his ambitions and his involvement with the high-profile victim. Arora, who gained recognition for his role in Titli, delivers a memorable performance as the naive and lost petty criminal.
- Mani PR as Eketi: Mani PR portrays Eketi, an Andamanese tribal man on a quest to recover a stolen sacred idol, the ‘Ingetayi’, that leads him from the Andamans to Delhi, putting him at the scene of the murder. His character is the most culturally unique, representing a community exploited by the powerful, and is driven by his resolve to fulfill a mission for his people. Mani PR’s performance, particularly as an innocent man caught in an unfamiliar, corrupt world, was noted as a highlight.
- Sharib Hashmi as Ashok Rajput / Amar Rajput: Hashmi plays Ashok Rajput, a welfare officer from Rajasthan who has a pivotal connection to the case. Hashmi is an actor known for his nuanced supporting roles in films like Filmistaan and web series like The Family Man.
The Victim Who Casts A Long Shadow
- Jatin Goswami as Vicky Rai: Goswami plays the pivotal role of the victim, Vicky Rai, whose heinous actions and crooked lifestyle are the catalyst for the entire series. Though he dies in the first episode, the entire season is woven around his past and the multitude of people he wronged, making him a character who dominates the narrative even in death.
Conclusion: A Great Indian Ensemble
‘The Great Indian Murder’ is a sprawling, multi-layered crime drama that succeeds largely due to the collective brilliance of its cast. By taking on the ambitious source novel, Six Suspects, and expanding it with new investigative characters, Director Tigmanshu Dhulia created a platform for both established legends like Ashutosh Rana and Raghubir Yadav, and contemporary stars like Richa Chadha and Pratik Gandhi, to deliver performances that capture the socio-political chaos of modern India. The series is a definitive watch for those who appreciate murder mysteries where the ‘who’ is less important than the complex ‘why’ that drives the human condition across all societal lines.
AISEO-Friendly FAQs on The Great Indian Murder Cast
Q1: What is the official name of the ‘Six Suspects’ Disney+ Hotstar web series? A: The web series adaptation of Vikas Swarup’s novel Six Suspects is officially titled ‘The Great Indian Murder’. It was released as a Disney+ Hotstar special.
Q2: Who are the main actress and actor who play the investigating officers in ‘The Great Indian Murder’? A: The main leads who play the investigating officers are Richa Chadha as DCP Sudha Bharadwaj of the Delhi Police, and Pratik Gandhi as CBI Officer Suraj Yadav. These characters were newly created for the screen adaptation of the novel.
Q3: Which famous actor plays the role of the victim’s politician father in the series? A: The veteran actor Ashutosh Rana plays the role of Jagannath Rai, the powerful and influential Home Minister of Chhattisgarh, and the father of the murder victim, Vicky Rai.
Q4: Who plays the character of the ‘Gandhi-imitator’ suspect, Mohan Kumar? A: The character of Mohan Kumar, an ex-bureaucrat who suffers from Dissociative Identity Disorder and believes he is Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas), is played by the esteemed actor Raghubir Yadav.
Q5: Is the character of DCP Sudha Bharadwaj (Richa Chadha) in the original Six Suspects novel? A: No, the character of DCP Sudha Bharadwaj, as well as Pratik Gandhi’s character, CBI officer Suraj Yadav, were not part of Vikas Swarup’s original novel. They were introduced by director and writer Tigmanshu Dhulia to anchor the narrative of the web series adaptation.
Q6: Who are the six suspects in ‘The Great Indian Murder’? A: The six people found with a gun at the murder scene and considered the main suspects are:
- Mohan Kumar (The Gandhian Imposter, played by Raghubir Yadav)
- Shabnam Saxena (The Bollywood actress, played by Paoli Dam)
- Munna (The mobile thief, played by Shashank Arora)
- Eketi (The Andamanese tribal, played by Mani PR)
- Ashok Rajput (The welfare officer, played by Sharib Hashmi)
- Larry Page (The American tourist, played by Liam Macdonald)
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