- Rangbaaz -2018- Hindi - Complete Web Series -...

The first season of Rangbaaz weaves its story across 9 gripping episodes, each adding a new layer to Shiv Prakash Shukla's descent into the world of crime:

Why it matters

Saqib Saleem delivers a career-defining performance. Known primarily for urban, romantic, or lighthearted roles prior to 2018, Saleem undergoes a radical transformation. He captures Shiv’s dual nature perfectly: the boyish charm and underlying vulnerability mixed with cold, calculated sociopathy. Saleem’s body language evolves visibly across the episodes, shifting from a nervous youth to a man radiating terrifying authority. Siddharth Pandey (Ranvir Shorey)

As Shukla climbs the ranks, the series meticulously unravels how politics manipulated crime for power and how a young man, driven by circumstance, builds a bloody empire. His primary antagonist is (played by Ranvir Shorey), a relentless police officer determined to bring him down. - Rangbaaz -2018- Hindi - Complete WEB SERIES -...

Unlike some slow-burn crime dramas, Rangbaaz moves quickly. The series has nine episodes that keep you hooked, focusing tightly on the rise and inevitable fall of its protagonist.

Playing the lead STF officer, Shorey provides a grounded, gritty performance that acts as the perfect foil to the chaotic energy of the criminals.

The show's authenticity is a major highlight, brilliantly capturing the look and feel of 1990s Uttar Pradesh. The production design accurately recreates the era's aesthetic. The first season of Rangbaaz weaves its story

Shiv becomes more than a blip on the police radar as his backstory is revealed.

Shorey plays the gritty, no-nonsense STF officer tasked with eliminating the mafia threat.

The real-life figure is , a dreaded gangster from Gorakhpur who became the second most-wanted criminal in India. The series brilliantly fictionalizes his story, capturing the essence of his rise and the world that shaped him. Unlike some slow-burn crime dramas, Rangbaaz moves quickly

The story highlights the nexus between crime and politics during the 1990s in North India, showcasing how young, vulnerable individuals were often sucked into the dirty game of political rivalry, caste disputes, and extortion. The series documents his meteoric rise to becoming the second most wanted criminal in India, a journey filled with bloodshed, betrayal, and high-stakes drama.

Kumra adds depth to the narrative as Shukla’s love interest, showcasing the emotional toll of living in the shadow of a criminal.

Rangbaaz is set against the volatile rustic backdrop of Uttar Pradesh during the 1990s. This era was characterized by political instability, caste rivalries, and the rampant rise of organized crime. The Rise of Shiv Prakash Shukla

The show was highly praised for its authentic performances, particularly Saqib Saleem’s career-defining lead role.