In Sector 36, a crime thriller set against the gritty backdrop of Delhi in 2005, a shocking case of missing underprivileged children triggers an intense investigation led by a reluctant, corrupt cop. Inspired by the horrifying Nithari serial murders of 2006, this Netflix film, directed by Aditya Nimbalkar in his feature debut, unravels a grim tale of unimaginable human depravity.
At the center of the story are two men who stand on opposite sides of a disturbing mystery: Sub-Inspector Ram Charan Pandey (played by Deepak Dobriyal) and Prem Singh (portrayed by Vikrant Massey), a seemingly innocuous house-help with a dark secret. As the investigation unfolds, Pandey, initially indifferent, becomes fiercely determined to uncover the truth behind the disappearances at Rajiv Camp, only to discover a network of corruption, pedophilia, organ trafficking, and more.
Deepak Dobriyal masterfully plays Pandey, a cop who undergoes a transformation from a disillusioned officer to a relentless pursuer of justice. But it is Vikrant Massey’s portrayal of the psychopathic Prem that steals the show. Massey’s chilling performance, particularly during the film’s 17-minute-long interrogation sequence, is nothing short of mesmerizing. His portrayal of a cold-blooded villain exudes an unsettling calm that is sure to haunt viewers long after the film ends.
The film delves into deeper societal issues, notably the glaring class divide that plagues India. It serves as a biting commentary on how systemic corruption and privilege shield the powerful while the marginalized suffer in silence. Comparisons to Delhi Crime are inevitable—not only because both films follow police investigations but also because Sector 36 addresses class conflict with the same razor-sharp focus.
One of the film’s most striking elements is its subversion of the name “Prem,” a title typically associated with heroic and kind-hearted characters in Indian cinema. By giving this name to a villain, Sector 36 challenges preconceived notions of good and evil, reminding viewers that appearances can be deceiving.
Visually, Sector 36 is dark and harrowing. Cinematographer Saurabh Goswami’s bleak imagery pairs perfectly with Bodhayan Roychaudhury’s intense story and screenplay. The violence is brutal, with scenes of bloodshed and dismemberment that are not for the faint of heart. Even in moments where the gore is implied, the tension remains palpable, creating an atmosphere of unrelenting dread.
However, the film falters towards the end, where a random song inexplicably disrupts the narrative’s momentum. The editing briefly loses its edge, resulting in a jarring tonal shift. Despite this misstep, Sector 36 quickly regains its footing, driving home its dark message.
In the end, Sector 36 delivers a powerful punch. It’s a disturbing, thought-provoking film that forces the audience to confront the darkest sides of humanity. In a poignant closing voice-over, Pandey’s reflection—“However hard a cockroach may try, it’s the shoe that always wins”—hits hard, especially when considering the real-life Nithari case, where justice still feels incomplete.
Despite its brief missteps, Sector 36 is a gripping, unsettling crime thriller, made unforgettable by Massey and Dobriyal’s stellar performances. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s certainly one that will leave a lasting impression.