Zee5’s new series Janaawar tackles weighty themes with earnestness, but stumbles in its execution. A police procedural set against the deeply entrenched caste divisions of rural India, the show aspires to be a powerful commentary on systemic injustice. At its heart, Janaawar asks a potent question: How long can a person stay human before society turns them into the very "animal" it fears? Unfortunately, the storytelling lacks nuance, opting instead for a loud, dated style that undermines its message.

Set in the fictional town of Chhand, where caste dictates every aspect of life, the series follows Sub-Inspector Hemant Kumar (Bhuvan Arora), a Dalit police officer trying to do his duty amid rampant discrimination. Hemant’s life is further complicated when he is tasked with investigating a gruesome series of murders, all while trying to support his pregnant wife.

The show deserves credit for placing caste — often ignored or glossed over in mainstream content — squarely at the centre of its narrative. The inhuman treatment of Dalits is portrayed with brutal honesty. However, the dialogue is overly theatrical and heavy-handed, often sounding like it belongs in a film from the 1970s. Repeated lines such as “jaati kabhi nahi jaati” hammer the point home but lose impact due to lack of subtlety.

There’s also an uncomfortable tendency to sensationalise. Violence against women and caste atrocities are portrayed with such graphic intensity that it borders on voyeurism. While the subject matter demands seriousness, the over-the-top presentation strips it of its intended weight.

What does work in Janaawar are the performances. Bhuvan Arora, in his first major leading role, delivers a layered portrayal of a conflicted cop. He masterfully captures both the authority of a uniformed officer and the internalised insecurity of a man shackled by caste. Supporting actors Badrul Islam and Vinod Suryavanshi are also impressive, convincingly representing two men on opposite ends of the social hierarchy.

Janaawar also attempts to weave in a murder mystery, but the plot gets muddled under the weight of preachy writing and inconsistent pacing. Despite strong intentions and committed performances, the show ultimately feels like a missed opportunity — a gripping story that needed more grace and less noise.