''Rangbaaz'' is an Indian web series set against the rustic background of the

Gorakhpur Gorakhpur is a city in the List of state and union territory capitals in India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, along the banks of the West Rapti River, Rapti river in the Purvanchal , Purvanchal region. It is situated 272 kilometres east of ...

in the 1990s It was released as a

ZEE5 ZEE5 or Z5 is an Indian subscription video on demand and over-the-top streaming service, owned by Zee Entertainment Enterprises. It was launched in India on 14 February 2018 with content in 12 languages. The ZEE5 mobile app is available on We ...

original on 22 December 2018. In October 2019, ZEE5 renewed the show for a second season, ''Rangbaaz Phirse'', which premiered on 20 December 2019. Season three of Rangbaaz title Rangbaaz: Darr Ki Rajneeti premiered on

on 29 July 2022.

Synopsis

Season 1 Rangbaaz is based on the true story of Shri Prakash Shukla (Shiv Prakash Shukla in the series), who was a notorious gangster and the most wanted criminal of

Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh Gorakhpur is a city in the List of state and union territory capitals in India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, along the banks of the West Rapti River, Rapti river in the Purvanchal , Purvanchal region. It is situated 272 kilometres east of ...

. The series shows his journey from a DDU student to becoming the second most wanted criminal in India. Other characters related to Shree Prakash's life include Ram Shankar Tiwari, inspired by Hari Shankar Tiwari, and Chandra Bhan Singh, inspired by Suraj Bhan Singh (former MP from Mokama, Bihar). Season 2 ''Rangbaaz Phir Se'' is inspired from the life of

Anandpal Singh Anand Pal Singh (31 May 1975 – 24 June 2017) was an Indian gangster mainly active in the cities of Rajasthan. He was a most-wanted gangster with a reward of ₹10 lakh on his head. He was accused of multiple murders as well as extortion. Hi ...

(name changed to Amarpal Singh) who was a gangster active in the state of Rajasthan. The series chronicles his rise to becoming the most wanted criminal in the history of Rajasthan. The story also covers his illicit business of liquor, his rivalry with Gopal Phogawat (name changed to Raja Phogat), and his dynamics with the political leadership of the state. Season 3 '' Rangbaaz: Darr Ki Rajneeti'' Season 3 has premiered on 29 July 2022 on

starring

Vineet Kumar Singh Vineet Kumar Singh (born 28 August 1978) is an Indian actor and writer known for his strong portrayal of an aspiring boxer Shravan Kumar Singh in Mukkabaaz (2018). An M.D. in Ayurveda from Government Medical College and Hospital, Nagpur, Vin ...

and

Aakanksha Singh Aakanksha Singh (born 30 July 1990) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi and Telugu language, Telugu language films and television. Started as a theatre artiste, she made her screen debut with the Colors TV's television series ''N ...

. The story of the main character is supposedly based on a Gangster turned politician

Mohammad Shahabuddin Mohammad Shahabuddin is a Muslim male given name, and in modern usage, surname. It is built from the Arabic words ''Muhammad (name), Mohammad'' () and ''Shihab al-Din (disambiguation), Shihab al-Din'' (). It may refer to: * Shahadudheen Sabith ( ...

Cast

Season 1

Saqib Saleem Saqib Saleem Qureshi (; born 8 April 1988) is an Indian actor and model who works in the Hindi film industry. He worked as a model before beginning his film career. After moving to Mumbai, Qureshi appeared in several advertisements. While doing ...

as Shiv Prakash Shukla (inspired by Shri Prakash Shukla). *

Tigmanshu Dhulia Tigmanshu Dhulia (born 3 July 1967) is an Indian film dialogue writer, director, actor, screenwriter, producer and casting director known for his works in Hindi cinema and Television. He wrote the dialogue for the 1998 film ''Dil Se..'', the fir ...

as Ram Shankar Tiwari (inspired by Hari Shankar Tiwari). *

Ranvir Shorey Ranvir Shorey (born 18 August 1972) is an Indian actor and former video jockey. Since making his debut in '' Ek Chhotisi Love Story'' (2002), he has worked in both mainstream and independent cinema. His commercially successful ventures include ...

as Sidharth Pandey - Special Task Force Lead *

Aahana Kumra Aahana S Kumra is an Indian actress. She is known for her television debut in Sony Entertainment Television's '' Yudh'' with Amitabh Bachchan and also for her lead role in the TV series '' Agent Raghav - Crime Branch'' with Sharad Kelkar, follo ...

as Babita Sharma * Jay Saumik Joshi as Abhishek *

Ravi Kishan Ravindra Kishan Shukla (born 17 July 1969), popularly known as Ravi Kishan, is an Indian actor, politician, film producer and television personality. He currently serves as Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Gorakhpur. He received a ''Sansad ...

as Chandra Bhan Singh (inspired by Surajbhan Singh) * Arun Kalra as Narendra Shahi (inspired by Virendra Shahi) *

Chandan Anand Chandan K Anand (born 23 October 1980) is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films. Filmography Films Television Web series References Living people 21st-century Indian male actors 1980 births {{India-film-actor-st ...

as Ranjan Tiwari *

Pawan Chopra Pawan Chopra is an Indian actor who works in Hindi films, television, and commercials. Filmography Films Television Web series References External links * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Chopra, Pawan 21st-century Indian male actors Indian male ...

as Director General of Police - UP * Bharat Chawla as Sushant * Saurabh Goyal as Host of

India's Most Wanted ''India's Most Wanted'' (IMW) was a crime busting fugitive hunter television show initially on Zee TV and later on DD1, India's national broadcaster Doordarshan. The show was made famous by its Anchor-Director and Producer, Suhaib Ilyasi with ...

(inspired by

Suhaib Ilyasi Suhaib Ilyasi (born 8 September 1966) is an Indian television producer and director. He was the host of the notable TV crime show ''India's Most Wanted''. He was the editor of the news magazine ''Bureaucracy Today''. After his wife died in 200 ...

) * Gaurav Mishra as Munna Shukla * Ankur B. Saraiya as Bangkok Goon *

Daya Shankar Pandey Daya Shankar Pandey (born 19 November 1965) is an Indian film and television actor. He has acted in a number of Hindi movies like '' Lagaan'' (2001), '' Gangaajal'' (2003), '' Swades'' (2004) and ''Raajneeti'' (2010). He began his career with t ...

as Mahavir * Ajay Singh as Morena Vidhayak * Atul Pandey as Tanuj Pratap Singh

Season 2 / Rangbaaz Phirse

Jimmy Shergill Jimmy Sheirgill (born Jasjit Singh Gill; 3 December 1970), also known as Jimmy Shergill, is an Indian actor and producer who primarily works in Hindi and Punjabi films. Sheirgill began his film career with the 1996 thriller '' Maachis''. His ...

as Amar Pal Singh (inspired by

) *

Sharad Kelkar Sharad Kelkar is an Indian actor and voice actor who works primarily in Marathi and Hindi films, television and web series. Early and personal life Kelkar was born and brought up in Gwalior, his father was a PWD engineer in Madhya Pradesh Gove ...

as Raja Phogat *

Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub Mohammad Zeeshan Ayyub Khan is an Indian actor who appears in Hindi films. He is frequently cast in supporting roles, and has appeared in more than 25 films in a career which has spanned eight years. He has also worked in a Hindi serial "Kyunk ...

as Sanjay Singh Meena *

Mahima Makwana Mahima Makwana (born 5 August 1999) is an Indian actress who works in Hindi films and television. After entering television with '' Miley Jab Hum Tum'' and '' Balika Vadhu'' as a child artist, Makwana received recognition with her character Ra ...

as Vaishali 'Chiku' Singh, Amar Pal's daughter *

Gul Panag Gulkirat Kaur Panag (born 3 January 1979) is an Indian actress, voice actress, and model. She was crowned Femina Miss India Universe 1999 and represented India at Miss Universe 1999. She began her career in Hindi films with the 2003 film '' D ...

as Anupriya (inspired by Anuradha Chaudhary) *

Sushant Singh Sushant Singh (born 9 March 1972) is an Indian actor and television presenter known for his work in Hindi cinema. He made his acting debut in 1998 with Ram Gopal Varma's ''Satya'' and gained critical acclaim for his role as the bandit Durgaa N ...

as Jai Ram Godara (inspired by Jeevan Godara) *

Harsh Chhaya Harsh Chhaya (born 2 December 1966) is an Indian actor. He debuted in a minor role as "Jijo" in the early 1990s Zee TV series '' Tara'', but first came into prominence in the role of Krishnakant Trivedi (KT) in mid 1990s TV series ''Hasratein'' ...

as Sundar Singh Chauhan *

Chetan Pandit Chetan Pandit is an Indian film and television actor. He played the role of Jayaprakash Narayan in the Prakash Jha Prakash Jha (born 27 February 1952) is an Indian film producer, actor, director and screenwriter, mostly known for his po ...

as Home Minister Ahlawat *

Amit Sial Amit Sial (born 1 July 1975) is an Indian actor known for his works in Hindi cinema. He is best known for ''Mirzapur'', '' Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega'', '' Kathmandu Connection'' and '' Inside Edge''. Early and personal life He was born ...

as Balram Rathi (inspired by balvir banuda) *

Spruha Joshi Spruha Joshi (born 13 October 1989) is an Indian television, film, and theatre actress, the television anchor who works in the Marathi film and television industry. She is also a poet and lyricist for films. Early life and education Spruha Josh ...

as Rukmini, wife of Amar Pal * Sonam Arora as Madhu Godavari, wife of Jai Ram *

Ujjwal Chopra Ujjawal Chopra is an Indian actor who plays in films and television. He played the character of Gora Singh in Sanjay Leela Bhansali Sanjay Leela Bhansali (born 24 February 1963) is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, editor an ...

as Harjiram

Season 3 / Rangbaaz Dar ki Raajneeti

Third season of the show premiered on

platform on 29 July 2022. The season's story is loosely based on Gangster turned politician

from

Bihar Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...

. * Viineet Kumar as Shah Ali Baig: Sana's husband *

as Sana: Shah Ali Baig's wife *

Vijay Maurya Vijay Maurya is an Indian actor, screenwriter and director who works in Indian films and theatre. He is best known for his work in the 2019 film ''Gully Boy.'' Career Theatre Maurya began his career in theatre by enrolling in a workshop under ...

Prashant Narayanan Prashant Narayanan is an Indian actor, known for his roles in films like '' Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II'', '' Shadows of Time'', '' Bombil and Beatrice'', '' Via Darjeeling'' and '' Murder 2''. He also worked in the telefilm ''Ek Tamanna''. His ...

Rajesh Tailang Rajesh Tailang is an Indian actor, known for his appearance in films and web series. He garnered a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Actor at the 2nd Canadian Screen Awards. He is also a poet, showcasing his creativity beyond acting ...

* Geetanjali Kulkarni * Prateek Srivastava * Teetu Verma as Dinesh Singh

Episodes

Season 1

Season 2 / Rangbaaz Phirse

Sequel Spin-off

After the successful run of first season,

announced a spin-off sequel for the show, titled "Rangbaaz Phirse"

Reception

Rangbaaz

The New Indian Express ''The New Indian Express'' is an Indian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper published by the Chennai-based Express Publications. It was founded in 1932 as ''The Indian Express'', under the ownership of Chennai-based P. Varadarajulu Naidu ...

rated with 3/5 stars and critically reviewed the series by saying it had nothing out of the ordinary about the crime and criminals story. The lead actor performed well in his role as a gangster in making. The film relied so much on the film songs of the era to create a particular mood for the storyline which was a bit tiresome.

Rangbaaz Phirse

Binged gave a rating of 6/10 stars to ''Rangbaaz Phirse'' and critically reviewed the actors performances. They also stated that the series fails to display a larger than life gangster profile. Moreover, the direction of the series makes it look quite authentic when capturing expressions and other important scenes. Throughout the nine episodes the rise and fall of its protagonist is portrayed dramatically in impressive detail.

Hindustan Times ''Hindustan Times'' is an Indian English language, English-language daily newspaper based in Delhi. It is the flagship publication of HT Media Limited, an entity controlled by the Birla family, and is owned by Shobhana Bhartia, the daughter o ...

gave a review about the series saying that the webseries focuses on the rural heartlands plagued by the caste hierarchy. The storyline revolves around gruesome tit-for-tat that leads to numerous murders involving bystanders, politicians and cops, serving their own agendas. The cast in the film gave great performances and did justice to their roles.

References

External links

''Rangbaaz''
on

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rangbaaz 3_(web_series) Indian web series 2018 web series debuts ZEE5 original programming Action web series Crime thriller web series Fictional portrayals of police departments in India 2010s police procedural television series 2020s police procedural television series Fictional portrayals of the Uttar Pradesh Police Fictional portrayals of the Bihar Police Indian crime television series Indian thriller television series Indian action television series Television shows set in Uttar Pradesh Television shows set in Bihar Television shows set in Rajasthan Hindi-language web series Indian drama web series Television series set in the 1990s 2018 Indian television series debuts