Black Warrant is a Hindi-language crime drama series that premiered on Netflix on January 10, 2025. Based on the 2019 non-fiction book Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury, the series recounts Gupta's experiences as a rookie jailer at Delhi's Tihar Jail.
The series, which has seven episodes, revolves around issues in the Indian prison system, highlighting corruption and the power dynamics among inmates and officials. Zahan Kapoor stars in the central role of Sunil Kumar Gupta, and the other prominent cast members are Rahul Bhat, Paramvir Singh Cheema, Anurag Thakur, and Sidhant Gupta.
All cast members on Black Warrant
1) Zahan Kapoor as Sunil Kumar Gupta
The main character of Black Warrant is Sunil Kumar Gupta, portrayed by Zahan Kapoor. Gupta is a rookie jailer at Tihar Jail in the 1980s, with a timid and hesitant demeanor. The series follows him navigating moral dilemmas while facing the prison's harsh realities.
Zahan Kapoor makes his debut on the small screen with this series, having previously worked in the plays Pitaji Please and Siachen and the film Faraaz. The 32-year-old actor comes from a long line of veteran actors. His paternal grandfather was the Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor, and his grandmother was English actress Jennifer Kendal. Additionally, Ramesh Sippy, the acclaimed film director, actor, and producer is his maternal grandfather.
2) Rahul Bhat as DSP Rajesh Tomar
In Black Warrant, DSP Rajesh Tomar is played by Rahul Bhat. Tomar is a morally grey deputy jailer who is conflicted between his personal and professional life. Rahul Bhat is a veteran Indian actor who rose to prominence with his role as Sameer in the soap opera Heena (1998-2003). He has worked in prominent films like Ugly, Jai Gangaajal, Section 375, and Kennedy.
3) Paramvir Singh Cheema as ASP Mangat
ASP Shivraj Singh Mangat, played by Paramvir Singh Cheema, is a dedicated officer and a close colleague of Sunil Kumar Gupta in the series. Paramvir Singh Cheema is a rising actor in Indian entertainment known for his roles in Chamak, Sapne Vs Everyone, and Tabbar.
4) Anurag Thakur as ASP Dahiya
The Black Warrant series features Anurag Thakur in the role of ASP Vipin Dahiya. Dahiya is a grounded officer, and Mangat and Dahiya help Sunil in bringing about the change he envisions. Both Mangat and Dahiya are fictional characters created for the show. Anurag Thakur's most notable credits include Vedaa, Samanantar, and Mirzapur.
5) Sidhant Gupta as Charles Sobhraj
Black Warrant introduces Sidhant Gupta as Charles Sobhraj, the charismatic and manipulative serial killer. In real life, Sobhraj is a serial killer and con artist who preyed on tourists in the 1970s across Asia. Sidhant Gupta is an Indian actor who rose to fame with performances in projects like Jubilee, Bhoomi, and Badmashiyaan.
Additional cast on the show
The series features special appearances by the following cast members -
- Rajshri Deshpande
- Rajendra Gupta
- Tota Roy Chowdhury
About Black Warrant
The official logline of the series reads:
"One jailer, thousands of criminals, and the dark secrets of a prison like never before. Inspired by true events, Black Warrant unravels a gripping tale of survival, power, and the haunting truths hidden behind prison walls."
The series marks the return of acclaimed director Vikramaditya Motwane to the small screen. Motwane has previously worked with Netflix on projects like Sacred Games and CTRL. His latest project is set in the 1980s and follows Zahan Kapoor's Sunil Kumar Gupta as he encounters different criminals and tries to implement reforms within the prison system.
In a statement released by Netflix on January 9, 2025, Motwane said:
"Black Warrant is a book that is raw, intense, and authentic and immediately demands to be brought to life. Collaborating with Netflix, Applause Entertainment, and Confluence has been incredible, and I’m grateful to have had partners who have supported me and the team in telling this story the way it deserves to be told."
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