Crime Patrol (TV series)


Crime Patrol is an Indian Hindi crime anthology series created by Subramanian S.lyer for Sony Entertainment Television India and Sony Entertainment Television Asia. The first season was created by Cinevistaas Limited, while later seasons were created by Optimystix Entertainment. The series is set in Mumbai, India. The first and second seasons' episodes are 30 minutes long, while the subsequent seasons' episodes are one hour long.
The series, which premiered on May 9, 2003, is the longest-running reality crime television series in India. It was the first show on Indian television in which cameras traveled with the law enforcement authorities to capture crimes live. The series is in its fifth season which premiered on July 15, 2019.

Plot

The series presents dramatized versions of crime cases that occurred in India. Series anchor, Anup Soni, suggests the correct measures to avert crimes while narrating real-life stories revolving around harassment, kidnapping, and murder. The series opens its viewers’ minds with these cases by making them aware of the crime around them.
Since June 2015, Crime Patrol has not only focused on creating awareness about crimes but has also aimed to help the victims depicted in the episodes.

Cast

Season 1 (2003–2006)

The first season was a weekly program airing on Friday nights, hosted by Diwakar Pundir, who later was replaced by Shakti Anand in late 2004. The first season was immediately popular.

Season 2 (2010)

Due to the popularity of the first season, Sony TV decided to bring back the series for a second season. The second season was aired on Monday through Thursday nights. Season 2 was presented by Anup Soni and Sakshi Tanwar. This season did not have as good of TRP ratings as the first season.

Season 3 (2010)

The third season was broadcast on Friday and Saturday nights. This season ended early due to low TRP ratings.

Season 4 (2011–2018)

The fourth season premiered four months after the third season ended. The season managed to gain better TRP ratings each week. The fourth season was initially aired on Friday and Saturday nights. From April 11, 2014, the series was aired three days a week on Friday–Sunday nights. The series was given a new title: Crime Patrol Satark.
During the last quarter of 2017, Soni decided to exit the series citing that he wanted to focus on his acting career in films. "I requested makers that I would like to focus on films and they were ok with it. They wanted me to complete my contract that ended this March–April", said Soni.

Season 5 (2019–present)

The fifth season premiered on July 15, 2019, and airs on Monday–Friday nights. Soni returned to host the series 15 months after leaving the show.

Spin-off

A spin-off series Crime Patrol Dial 100 premiered on October 26, 2015, aired on Monday–Thursday nights, and was produced by different production companies. It ended on July 12, 2019.

Impact of ongoing cases

Delhi gang-rape case

Bhartiya Stree Shakti, a non-governmental organisation, Information and Broadcasting Ministry of India intervened and asked Sony Entertainment Television not to telecast a program about the Delhi gang-rape case. But on 10 September 2013, the show was given permission to present the 2012 Delhi gang rape case on their show, and subsequently the promos of the episode were also aired. The episode was aired in a two-episode part on September 21, 2013 and September 22, 2013.

Om Prakash Chautala teacher recruitment scam

Sony TV was to air episodes based on Om Prakash Chautala teacher recruitment scam in the show. On 22 February 2013 Delhi High Court restrained Sony TV from telecasting the related episodes until 4 April 2013, upon the appeal by Chautala and others as the case was still in court and there was a possibility of bias of the show on the case. On 2 March 2013, show was given clearance by High Court. However, clearance was challenged in Supreme Court and on 6 March 2013, the episodes of this case were again put on hold. On 3 May 2013, the Supreme Court allowed Sony TV to telecast episodes as the trial was complete and judgment of conviction and sentence are in public domain.

Special appearances

Critical response

Crime Patrol generally receives positive reviews from critics. Riptide Malhotra of India TV stated, "The popularity of Crime Patrol is quite high that airs on Sony on weekends. The show is so popular that it keeps people awake until late at night to watch the latest episodes. This show is not just a show that airs crime stories but is a true depiction of real-life happenings presented in a dramatized form."

Ratings

Riptide Malhotra of India TV gave the series 4/5 stars and further stated, "The show is presented in such a way that will not threaten you but will make you conscious enough with that extra punch and appeal. Overall, to make the show convincing is the major responsibility of the host."
In 2011, it was one of the most watched Hindi GEC maintaining its position in top 20 averaging 3+ TVR. The Baby Falak Case sequence aired during February 2012 made the series the most watched hindi GEG program with 6.78 TVR. The following week after it, the series maintained its top position with 5.27 TVR.

Accolades

The series has won Star Guild Awards for Best Non-Fiction Series in 2013.
The series has also won Indian Telly Awards for Best Thriller Programme in 2012 and 2013. Subramanian S Iyer and Amit Jha won Indian Telly Jury Award for Best Director in 2012, while Durgesh Pesharwar and Shailendra were nominated. Jevan Jena and Subramanian S Iyer were also nominated for the same category of the same award in 2013. Subramanian S Iyer was nominated for Best Screenplay Writer of Indian Telly Jury Awards in 2012, while won in 2013. Charudutt Acharya won Indian Telly Jury Award for Best Dialogue Writer in 2013. The series was nominated for Best Weekly Serial of Indian Telly Awards in 2012 and 2013 and for Best Thriller / Horror Serial of Indian Television Academy Awards in 2014.

Adaptations

A Bengali adapted version of Crime Patrol airs on Sony TV' sister channel, Sony Aath. The series was dubbed in Tamil version as Nimirnthu Nil on Polimer TV. The series was dubbed in Telugu version as Tasmath Jagratta on Gemini TV.