Vikram’s house is set on fire. His pet dog perishes. Episode 3: “Haathi Khamba” (A Local Landmark) Runtime: 35 min Summary: Flashback to 2009 – Vikram as a young officer filing a report that was buried. Present day: He teams up with Meera reluctantly. They meet a retired mine union leader who whispers about “coal cortege” – a ritual where bodies of dead miners are secretly disposed of in abandoned shafts.
Shot mostly in shaky-cam, natural light – reminiscent of Gangs of Wasseypur . Episode 7: “Dhanbad Nights” Runtime: 34 min Summary: The calm before the storm. Vikram and Meera share a rare moment of vulnerability on a rooftop. Bhai Sahab’s backstory is revealed through a series of vignettes: he was once a laborer. The episode ends with Vikram discovering that his own brother is complicit. Dhanbad Blues -2018- -Season 1 All Episodes - E...
Depicts realistic miner deaths and post-credits audio of a real survivor interview (documentary-style). Episode 6: “Rail Katra” (Railway Crossing) Runtime: 28 min Summary: Mid-season turning point. Vikram’s ex-wife arrives to take their son away. Meera publishes an incendiary blog post, attracting national attention. A hitman is dispatched. The episode title refers to a chaotic railway crossing near Jharia – a metaphor for impossible choices. Vikram’s house is set on fire
The union leader’s monologue (5 minutes uncut) – a masterclass in regional dialect. Episode 4: “Teen Tola” (Three Weighing Scales) Runtime: 30 min Summary: Exploration of Dhanbad’s parallel economy – politicians, cops, miners, and middlemen each have their “tola” (weight). Vikram’s informant is found hanging in a police station, ruled a suicide. Meera’s camera is stolen. Tensions rise. Present day: He teams up with Meera reluctantly
Vikram’s first confrontation with a middleman in a coal-laden truck – dialogue-heavy, reminiscent of early Anurag Kashyap. Episode 2: “Andheri Galliyan” (Dark Lanes) Runtime: 28 min Summary: Meera discovers a pattern: six workers have gone missing in two months. Vikram’s former colleague warns him to stay away from the “Northern Ridge” mines. The episode introduces “Bhai Sahab” via a phone call – voice modulated, menacing.
If you, the reader, possess a copy of – please consider uploading it to the Internet Archive or contacting a film preservationist. Until then, the blues of Dhanbad remain an echo in the mine shafts – haunting, unresolved, and unforgettable. Have you watched Dhanbad Blues? Share your memories or corrections in the comments below. For more deep dives into lost Indian web series, subscribe to our newsletter.