Pritam And Pedro Season 1 Review: Rajkumar Hirani’s OTT Debut Brings Humour, Heart And Cybercrime Together
Story: Set in Goa, this crime drama follows an old-school cop and his tech-savvy partner as their clashing methods spark friction and chemistry while solving complex cases, blending traditional instincts with modern investigative tools.
Review: Rajkumar Hirani brings his signature warmth, humour and deeply human storytelling to the digital space with Pritam and Pedro, a cybercrime dramedy that feels refreshingly different in an OTT landscape crowded with dark, grim thrillers. Inspired by Amit Dubey’s books Hidden Files and Return of the Trojan Horse, the six-episode series blends crime, comedy and emotion into an entertaining watch. More importantly, it subtly highlights the unsettling realities of the digital world and the growing vulnerability of people—especially children—in an increasingly tech-driven age. Yet, true to Hirani’s style, the heavy subject never feels overwhelming, thanks to the show’s empathy, wit and emotional warmth.
Set against the colourful backdrop of Goa, the series follows two unlikely allies—Pedro Gonsalvis (Arshad Warsi), an old-school crime branch cop who trusts instinct over technology, and Pritam Parker (Vir Hirani), an engineer turned vacuum cleaner salesman with exceptional hacking skills. They are complete opposites. Pedro belongs to a world of conventional policing and gut-driven investigation, while Pritam represents a younger, digital-first mindset that sees solutions through screens, systems and coding. Their clashing personalities become the show’s strongest asset, creating a partnership that feels both entertaining and emotionally engaging.
The story begins with an ATM theft case that leaves Pedro frustrated due to the absence of CCTV footage. Around the same time, Pritam is desperately trying to file a complaint about his grandfather’s stolen tape recorder—a deeply personal object carrying his late grandmother’s last recorded song. The police dismiss it as a trivial case, resulting in one of the show’s amusing yet telling moments: “Pehle ATM dhunde ya tape recorder?” But Pritam soon proves his worth by helping solve the ATM case through his tech expertise.
The plot gains real momentum when Pedro lands in trouble after mishandling a case involving a minister’s wife’s stolen phone. As punishment, he is transferred to the cybercrime branch—a department he neither understands nor respects. What starts as an inconvenience soon turns into a major challenge when the minister’s son is kidnapped, pulling Pedro and Pritam into a dangerous investigation involving cyber threats, hackers and digital crime networks.
What works best about Pritam and Pedro is its ability to maintain tension without losing its light-hearted spirit. Directed by Avinash Arun, known for gritty work like Paatal Lok, the show strikes a surprisingly effective balance between suspense and humour. The writing by Hirani, Abhijat Joshi and Suyash Trivedi keeps the storytelling accessible and consistently engaging. Each episode builds enough intrigue to sustain interest, and the pacing remains brisk without feeling rushed.
The dialogues deserve special mention. Written by Hirani, Pranjal Saxena and Shashank Kunwar, they are simple, witty and loaded with understated humour. Much of the charm lies in the banter between Pritam and Pedro. Their exchanges feel organic and often produce some of the funniest moments. A standout line comes when Pritam bluntly says, “I don’t like you, Pedro sir,” to which Pedro casually replies, “Even my wife says the same thing, but we’re still married.” Then there are Pedro’s wonderfully absurd observations, especially his frustration with technology: “School taught us ABCD, then why does keyboard start with QWERTY? Banda kaam kare ya alphabet dhunde?” These moments add levity without feeling forced.
Performance-wise, Arshad Warsi is in top form. His impeccable comic timing adds flavour to nearly every scene, and he effortlessly makes Pedro both amusing and endearing. Even routine moments gain energy because of his natural screen presence. Vir Hirani makes for a confident debut, holding his own opposite a seasoned performer like Warsi. He brings sincerity to Pritam’s emotional journey while matching the show’s comic rhythm effectively.
Vikrant Massey adds intensity as hacker Martin, introducing a darker edge to the story. Boman Irani and Mona Singh leave a strong impact despite limited screen time. Satyadeep Mishra and Shruti Marathe are convincing as worried parents caught in a nightmare.
The show’s biggest limitation lies in its predictability. Certain twists feel familiar, and some conflicts are resolved a little too conveniently. The cybercrime angle, while relevant and interesting, occasionally oversimplifies the complexities of digital threats for easier consumption.
Still, these flaws do little to dilute the show’s overall charm. At a time when crime dramas are becoming increasingly dark and intense, Pritam and Pedro offers something lighter yet equally engaging. Funny, fast-paced and emotionally grounded, it is an entertaining blend of humour, suspense and heart that makes for a thoroughly enjoyable binge.
