🎬 Overview & Premise
Assi Nabbe Poore So (translating to “Eighty‑Ten Equals a Hundred”) is a crime-thriller based on the shocking real-life case of Pakistani serial killer Javed Iqbal, who confessed to murdering nearly one hundred children. Released in March 2021 as a Ullu Original series, it spans eight episodes, each roughly 22 minutes, and centers on the unsettling psychology behind these crimes en.wikipedia.org+15republicworld.com+15cine-tales.com+15.
The series converges around two main figures: Junaid Alam (portrayed by Raqesh Bapat), the accused killer, and Inspector Farhan Khan (Vikram Mastal), the determined detective on his trail. Instead of sensationalizing the murders, it explores court dynamics, the killer’s motivations, and the emotional turmoil of those affected bollywoodbubble.com+2cine-tales.com+2koimoi.com+2.
🧭 Narrative & Tone
The narrative unfolds slowly—less of a gore-fest, more of a psychological and legal unravelling. The first half sets the grim stage, detailing how Junaid enters the victims’ lives, conceals his identity, and commits horrific acts. Episodes shift between police interrogation, media attention, courtroom drama, and chilling flashbacks.
While the courtroom scenes aim to add tension, some reviewers found them underwhelming—legal sequences lacked authenticity and momentum, and the overuse of poetic monologues felt forced . Still, the tone remains serious and unsettling, aided by a sparse score and intense acting.
🎭 Performances
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Raqesh Bapat (Junaid Alam) anchors the series with a disturbing, layered representation of a cold-blooded killer. He consulted psychologists to delve into the character’s mindset and brings an eerie juxtaposition of innocence and brutality to the role imdb.com+9koimoi.com+9bollywoodbubble.com+9.
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Vikram Mastal (Inspector Farhan) brings physical grit and ethical steadfastness to the detective role. His performance earned praise for realistic portrayal of law enforcement—training included gaining weight to fit the character’s world cine-tales.com.
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Aastha Chaudhary also features in a pivotal role, though screen time is limited. She supports the main leads by adding emotional texture binged.com+3cine-tales.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3.
Together, Bapat’s chilling coldness and Mastal’s investigative integrity blend to create a tense psychological duel.
⚙️ Direction, Writing & Production
Directed by Akshay Singh, the show projects a grim, confined tone—focusing on interrogation rooms, court halls, and brief crime scene re-enactments. It avoids typical OTT show setups, leaning instead into stark realism indianexpress.com+5republicworld.com+5cine-tales.com+5.
The writing draws from documented facts but also explores Junaid’s psyche and the legal process. Some viewers, however, criticized the courtroom dialogue for being too theatrical and disconnected from realism . Additionally, loud background music in some scenes diluted emotional resonance .
✅ Strengths
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Gripping lead performances – Bapat’s creepy depth and Mastal’s grounded portrayal anchor the series cine-tales.com+1indianexpress.com+1.
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Chilling realism – The series captures the horror of the subject matter without resorting to gratuitous violence .
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Psychological insight – Instead of sensationalizing, it probes the twisted motivations and the complexities behind the crime .
⚠️ Weaknesses
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Courtroom melodrama – Legal proceedings often veer into dramatized dialogue and overwritten monologues .
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Uneven pacing – Early episodes grip you, but momentum dips mid-season, with some scenes feeling prolonged .
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Technical imbalance – Background score occasionally overwhelms dialogue, disrupting immersion cine-tales.com.
👥 Audience & Critical Reception
The series drew attention for its real-world inspiration and psychological heft. Platforms familiar with gritty OTT crime dramas appreciated its restraint—but viewers also noted its heavier moments, especially the courtroom theatrics. Its sensitive handling of the killer’s profile earned respect, even as some pacing issues were flagged.
🎯 Final Verdict
Assi Nabbe Poore So is a haunting, thought-provoking thriller. Raqesh Bapat’s portrayal of a disturbed killer and Vikram Mastal’s determined cop drive a tense, character-driven narrative. Though marred by theatrical courtroom exchanges and uneven pacing, the series’ emotional core and psychological authenticity make it compelling viewing.
Rating: 3.5 / 5 stars — Recommended for true-crime and psychological thriller fans, especially those who can endure slower court-focused scenes in favor of deep character exploration.
Bottom line:
This series isn’t easy to watch—but it’s a compelling portrayal of a dark chapter. It offers psychological insight over sensationalism, and, despite its flaws, marks a strong entry in India’s true-crime OTT space.
