Crime dramas are often crafted to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, and to achieve this, creators add suspense, twists, and moral complexities that may not always align with reality. Shows like *Delhi Crime* or *Sacred Games* have drawn massive attention, depicting the underbelly of society, the grit of investigative work, and the challenges within law enforcement. For many viewers, these shows act as an indirect lens into the operations of India’s criminal justice system.
However, unlike documentaries or news reports, crime dramas are primarily designed to entertain. Producers and writers often take creative liberties to ensure high engagement, which can blur the lines between fiction and reality. This may lead viewers to form impressions about the system that are based on fictionalised events rather than real procedures or outcomes.
One common theme in Indian crime dramas is the portrayal of a heroic, sometimes flawed police officer fighting against all odds. This “hero cop” often goes above and beyond, even bending the rules to bring justice. While these portrayals may inspire admiration, they also create a one-dimensional image of law enforcement. Real-world policing is governed by strict protocols, legal limitations, and a hierarchy that doesn’t always permit individual heroics.
When people see police officers performing near-superhuman feats on screen, it can lead to unrealistic expectations of real police work, setting up the public for disappointment when law enforcement does not measure up to fictional standards.
In contrast, some crime dramas also portray corrupt officers and systemic inefficiencies, casting a negative light on law enforcement as a whole. This can foster public mistrust in the police, as viewers might come to believe that corruption is universal within the system. Both portrayals—the hero cop and the corrupt officer—impact how people perceive the reliability and integrity of the police force.
Crime dramas not only showcase policing but also courtroom dramas, although this is less common in Indian media than in Western content. Shows or books that include courtroom scenes tend to depict them in a highly dramatised manner, often with explosive arguments, emotional testimonies, and fast-tracked judgments. This is far from the reality of India’s judicial system, where cases often take years or even decades to reach a resolution. Such portrayals can set up audiences with unrealistic expectations about how quickly justice should be served, potentially fueling frustration and dissatisfaction when real cases do not unfold as quickly or dramatically.
In crime fiction, the “good vs. evil” narrative is often simplified for storytelling purposes. Criminals may be portrayed as either deeply villainous or misunderstood, with backstories that attempt to justify their actions. This approach, while engaging, risks oversimplifying complex issues related to crime, rehabilitation, and societal influence. Real-world criminals are seldom driven by such straightforward motives, and understanding crime often requires considering various social, economic, and psychological factors.
Similarly, victims in crime dramas are frequently depicted in extreme ways—either as helpless and innocent or as individuals with secrets that complicate their victimhood. This can distort public understanding of victimhood and empathy, as people may expect real victims to fit these fictionalised molds.
Crime dramas have the power to spark public discourse on important issues such as crime, safety, and the efficiency of the justice system. For instance, shows based on real events, like *Delhi Crime,* which was inspired by the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, can drive awareness about pressing issues and even prompt societal reflection and calls for reform.
However, the entertainment industry also carries the responsibility to balance storytelling with realism, especially when depicting sensitive topics like crime and justice. While some dramatisation is inevitable, showing more realistic scenarios and diverse perspectives can help audiences gain a more balanced view of the criminal justice system. For instance, accurately portraying the investigative process, the legal hurdles, and the slow nature of trials could foster greater understanding among viewers.
Crime dramas and books are a powerful medium of entertainment that captivate audiences and keep them engaged. In India, where the criminal justice system is complex and often misunderstood, these stories influence how people perceive law enforcement, the judiciary, and the concept of justice itself. By blending fact and fiction, they create lasting impressions—some realistic, others exaggerated—on viewers’ minds. While these portrayals cannot replace factual information, a balanced approach to storytelling can help audiences appreciate the challenges and realities of India’s justice system, encouraging a more nuanced and informed view of law, crime, and society.
—The author, Ashok Kumar, is Vice Chancellor of Sports University of Haryana, and former Director General of Police, Uttarakhand. The views expressed are personal.
