Supriya Pathak leads an ensemble cast in MX Player's upcoming crime drama Cartel, which has been directed by Suyash Vadhavkar.
The trailer introduces us to the Angre crime family which operates in the heart of Mumbai. Headed by the stern matriarch Rani Maai (Supriya Pathak), the family is dysfunctional but ruthless in its quest for power. With her nephews, the meticulous Manoj Bhau (Tanuj Virwani) and the wild, murderous Madhu Bhau (Jitendra Joshi), as her lieutenants, Rani Maai sets the foundations of her empire. However, her unruly son, Abhay Angre (Rithvik Dhanjani), harbours ambitions of taking over.
With an uneasy peace between the five gangs of Mumbai coming to an end, Rani Maai's troubles don't seem to be ending. It is up to her to settle matters and anoint a successor. There are also multiple elements seeking to upset the apple cart.
The trailer is a simple, linear introduction to the characters and their dynamic in the story. While it does not reveal much, it sets up a premise that might make the series a bit predictable. There is also the feeling that the writers might be trying to do too much. From the family dynamics and the politics to the nexus between family and outsiders, the storyline seems to include too many factors.
With 14 episodes, it will be interesting to see how the makers weave all these disparate elements. With a cast comprising performers like Amey Wagh, Samir Soni, Monica Dogra, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Pranati Rai Prakash, and more, the show has an army of characters.
Cartel will be streamed on MX Player's subscription video-on-demand service, MXGold, from 20 August.
Check out the trailer below and let us know if you are keen on watching the series.