The first season of the Rangbaaz franchise is based directly on the life of , a notorious real-life contract killer and mobster from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. In the series, his name is modified to Shiv Prakash Shukla , portrayed by Saqib Saleem. The plot travels along a tragic, fast-paced trajectory:
The narrative follows a classic but expertly executed trajectory:
The success of Rangbaaz is largely attributed to its powerful ensemble cast, who bring the harsh realities of 1990s Uttar Pradesh to life. - Rangbaaz -2018- Hindi - Complete WEB SERIES -...
: It follows Shiv, a simple DDU student whose life takes a dark turn after he commits a crime in college. His path leads him deep into the organized crime world, where he becomes a deadly hitman for powerful politicians.
(Saqib Saleem), a young college student whose life takes a dark turn after a single fateful act of violence committed in defense of his sister's honor. He enters the world of organized crime under the protection of powerful political figures and eventually becomes India’s second most-wanted criminal. The series depicts his rapid rise and the subsequent manhunt led by the Special Task Force (STF) officer Siddharth Pandey (Ranvir Shorey). Primary Cast & Characters Role Description Saqib Saleem Shiv Prakash Shukla The protagonist and dreaded gangster Ranvir Shorey Siddharth Pandey The honest STF officer determined to capture Shiv Tigmanshu Dhulia Ramshankar Tiwari A powerful and manipulative politician Aahana Kumra Babita Sharma Shiv’s love interest Ravi Kishan Chandrabhan Singh A local strongman/politician Critical Reception The first season of the Rangbaaz franchise is
The series is based on the true story of (renamed Shiv Prakash Shukla in the show), who was once India's second most wanted criminal.
The series follows the meteoric rise and eventual fall of Shiv Prakash Shukla, a 25-year-old student who transforms into India's second most-wanted criminal. The narrative spans from 1992 to 1998, detailing his entry into the underworld after a "hot-blooded act" and his subsequent involvement in organized crime and political assassinations. It also tracks the efforts of a Special Task Force (STF) led by officer Siddharth Pandey to apprehend him. Rangbaaz (TV Series 2018–2022) - IMDb : It follows Shiv, a simple DDU student
This connection to real events provides a sense of grim authenticity that sets it apart from completely fictional crime dramas.
The writing heavily features regional dialects, rustic humor, and heavy-hitting single-line punchlines that became highly viral upon release.
. Set against the rustic backdrop of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, in the 1990s, the first season traces the rapid rise and eventual fall of a notorious real-life gangster. Quick Facts Release Date: December 21–22, 2018. Exclusively available on Action, Crime, Biography, and Drama. Season 1 Format: 9 episodes. Plot Overview The series is inspired by the true story of Shri Prakash Shukla
Decoding Rangbaaz (2018): The Definitive Review of ZEE5’s Flagship Crime Drama
