Netflix India has dropped the first teaser for Dabba Cartel, a crime drama being touted as Mumbai’s answer to Narcos. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, the series is set to premiere on 28 February.
At first glance, the show follows a group of entrepreneurial middle-class women in Thane running a home-cooked tiffin service. But beneath the innocent façade lies a high-stakes drug operation—these women aren’t just delivering hot meals, they’re smuggling narcotics in their dabba boxes.
Leading the ‘cartel’ is Shabana Azmi, joined by Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, Anjali Anand, and Sai Tamhankar. Lillete Dubey plays her voice of reason, warning her that once she’s tasted the thrill of crime, there’s no turning back. The teaser hints at a reluctant but formidable syndicate, as these women are dragged into a world far beyond their control. Meanwhile, a pharmaceutical company called Viva Life sits at the centre of the operation, with its male employees—including characters played by Gajraj Rao and Jisshu Sengupta—under investigation for their role in the illicit trade.
The teaser ends with a striking moment as Jyothika makes a surprise appearance, turning to Shabana’s character and saying, “Toh ye hai tumhara Narcos Thane” (So this is your Narcos Thane).”
With a gripping premise, a powerhouse female-led cast, and a blend of domestic drama and crime thriller, Dabba Cartel promises a thrilling ride into the underbelly of Mumbai’s drug trade. Directed by Hitesh Bhatia and created by Shibani Dandekar, Vishnu Menon, Gaurav Kapur, and Akanksha Seda, the show lands on Netflix India on 28 February.