If you enjoy shows that explore the raw, complex realities of crime and justice in rural India, is the perfect weekend binge. It’s a thrilling, edge-of-the-seat story, grounded in the real-life diary of a man who lived to tell the tale.
: It follows the cat-and-mouse chase between IPS Amit Lodha (an IIT-Delhi graduate turned cop) and Chandan Mahto (based on real-life criminal Pintu Mahto), a notorious gangster who terrorized the region.
On the other side is Chandan Mahto (played in a career-defining performance by Avinash Tiwary). Chandan begins as a low-level truck driver from a lower-caste community, enduring humiliation at the hands of upper-caste landlords. Driven by a desire for revenge and empowerment, he joins forces with the fierce local outlaw Chyavan Ram (Abhimanyu Singh). Chandan quickly rises through the criminal hierarchy using cold calculation and sheer ruthlessness, eventually becoming the "Gabbar of Bihar"—a folk hero to his community and a terror to everyone else.
The series holds an , a testament to its popularity among global audiences. Critics at Scroll.in noted that while the series is a classic "supercop-versus-gangster" contest led by a stellar cast, it is "more gripping with its fictions, rather than the facts". The Hindu appreciated the show's attempt to portray the "rhyme and rhythm of Bihar," but felt it eventually "runs out of fodder" and straitjackets its complex world. Many reviewers highlighted that while the story may be familiar, the "searing act" of Avinash Tiwary and the authentic depiction of Bihar’s hinterland keep the viewer glued to the screen. Khakee- The Bihar Chapter
: The series is based on the real-life experiences of IPS officer Amit Lodha, specifically his book Bihar Diaries: The True Story of How Bihar's Most Dangerous Criminal was Caught .
Furthermore, the dialogue writing deserves immense credit. The show utilizes local dialects, including Magahi and Bhojpuri, infusing the script with regional idioms and sharp wit without making it incomprehensible to a global audience. The background score keeps the tension taut, utilizing rustic percussion and intense themes during the high-stakes raid sequences. Legacy and Impact
What separates Khakee: The Bihar Chapter from other crime dramas? It’s the . If you enjoy shows that explore the raw,
The success of Khakee: The Bihar Chapter was immediate. It became one of Netflix India's most-watched series and firmly established Neeraj Pandey’s partnership with the streaming giant. In August 2023, Netflix officially announced a standalone sequel series, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter , further cementing the brand’s future in the crime-thriller space.
But the series takes a creative detour. Instead of focusing solely on Ashok Mahto, it introduces a fictionalized yet equally menacing antagonist named , played by Avinash Tiwary . This character is based on Ashok Mahto’s formidable sharp-shooter, Pintu Mahto. The clash between Lodha's sharp, modern policing methods and Mahto’s visceral, raw ambition forms the core conflict of the series, exploring how a disenfranchised youth can transform into a dreaded gangster, and how a lone officer can dismantle an empire.
Khakee: The Bihar Chapter is a gritty Indian crime thriller series streaming on Netflix . Set in the early 2000s, it depicts the intense rivalry between a righteous IPS officer and a ruthless gang leader in the lawless badlands of Bihar. On the other side is Chandan Mahto (played
The tension mounts as the police force navigates treacherous terrains and corrupt systems to capture a man who seems untouchable. Key Characters and Performances
Tiwary’s portrayal of the ruthless, manipulative, and unpredictable gang leader, Chandan, is widely praised as the show's standout performance. He perfectly captures the intimidation and complex psychology of a Bihar gangster.
Lodha knows he cannot win a gunfight. He cannot win a political war. He has to win a psychological war.
On the other side is Chandan Mahto (played by Avinash Tiwary), a low-caste laborer who suffers under the oppressive feudal system. Driven by humiliation and a desire for power, Chandan transitions from a small-time criminal into a cold-blooded gang lord. Alongside his fierce partner-in-crime, Chyawanprash Sahu (Jatin Sarna), Chandan builds a massive criminal empire that challenges the state authority. He becomes a folk hero to his community by using identity politics to shield himself from the law.
“While marketed as a crime thriller, ‘Khakee: The Bihar Chapter’ functions as a quiet requiem for the idea of reform—arguing that in the cauldron of Bihar’s politics, a police officer can win a battle, but the war has already been outsourced to the very system he serves.”