Daldal ending explained: The 'Original Sin' of the killers and Bhumi Pednekar as Rita’s final reckoning with her past

At its conclusion, the Prime Video crime thriller series Daldal opens up a gloomy examination of the ways in which traumatic experiences and systemic abuse impact individuals who are hunted as well as those who are hunters. The drama, based on the novel Bhendi Bazaar by Vish Dhamija, follows DCP Rita Ferreira (Bhumi Pednekar) as she investigates the seedier side of Mumbai in search of a serial murderer.

Where does Bhumi Pednekar's Rita Ferreira stand emotionally after the case?

Despite the final solution to the murder mystery, the protagonist's emotional state remains uncertain.

Murders with ritualistic elements, such as stuffing victims' mouths with raw chicken or chocolate and slitting their wrists, are at the center of the investigation throughout the seven episodes. Rita learns that Anita Acharya (Samara Tijori) and Sajid (Aditya Rawal) are criminals, even though the police first think one of them is guilty.

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How did Anita manipulate the investigation?

Anita, posing as an aspiring crime journalist, leverages her professional connections to stay ahead of the investigation. Sajid, her drug addict partner, is the one who does most of the physical fighting. But the story makes it clear that Anita is the mastermind and driving force behind the murders.

Their rampage was not irrational, but rather directed at people they saw as "pretenders of virtue," as revealed in their last dig into the antagonists' backstories.

What traumatic background defined Anita’s early life?

Jay Acharya, an encounter specialist, and Vivianne, a sex worker, were Anita's parents. Her mother tried to shield her from the mafia by raising her as a guy. Anita was transported to a boys' home following the death of Vivianne in a police raid.

Fernando, the head of the orphanage, verbally and physically harassed Anita and Sajid on multiple occasions. This so-called "original sin" set them on the path to adulthood. They were quite hostile and suspicious of anyone professing to look out for the weak, whether it was social workers or animal rescues like Manohar Swamy.

How did their past trauma dictate their victim selection?

They went on a killing spree, going after seemingly good-hearted people because they believed these people were hiding something sinister. In addition to Anita's violent relatives and their treatment center mentor, Prabhat Raut, who found out about their secret, they killed everyone whose traumatic background had a direct impact.

Anita and Sajid's ordeal starts at the same orphanage where the climax takes place. There, a last showdown ensues as Rita pursues Anita. After seeing the depths of Anita's nihilism and grieving the loss of Prabhat, the one man who genuinely cared for him, Sajid suddenly shifts his devotion and helps Rita control Anita.

What becomes of Anita after her failed suicide attempt?

To symbolise how her soul had already been "incinerated" by her history, Anita tried suicide by setting herself on fire just before she was to be arrested. Rita, nevertheless, steps in and rescues her from the raging inferno. Though she manages to escape, Anita's experience as a state captive leaves her emotionally and physically damaged.

Both Rita and the killers had troubled upbringings due to "policewomen mothers" and absent fathers, which the show uses to their advantage.

What was the traumatic event that haunted Rita’s childhood?

Rita faces her personal "Daldal" (swamp) in the closing moments. Isabel, Rita's mother and another police officer, had a nervous breakdown and tried to kill herself by releasing gas into their home. Even though young Rita managed to get away, she saw her mother perish in the explosion that followed.

Rita goes back to her deserted childhood home at the end of the series. A secret drug habit and an emotionally distant persona lead her to a breaking point after years of suppressing her feelings. Her last act of the season is to give Aditya, her former fiancé, a call, implying that she is finally ready to stop avoiding her past and start healing.

Daldal FAQs:

Q: Who is the real killer in Daldal?

A: While the police initially suspect Sajid (Aditya Rawal) due to his violent history and drug addiction, DCP Rita Ferreira (Bhumi Pednekar) discovers that the primary architect behind the murders is Anita Acharya (Samara Tijori). Anita, posing as a crime journalist, used her access to stay ahead of the investigation. The duo worked together, with Sajid carrying out the physical violence while Anita orchestrated the ritualistic nature of the crimes.

Q: What happens to Anita at the end of Daldal?

A: In Daldal series finale, after being cornered by Rita (Bhumi Pednekar) at the orphanage, Anita (Samara Tijor) attempts to take her own life by setting herself on fire. Rita intervenes and drags her out of the flames, saving her life. Anita survives the finale but remains in state custody, physically and emotionally scarred.

Q: Does Daldal have a Season 2?

A: While Amazon Prime Video has not officially announced a second season yet, the Daldal finale leaves several doors open. Rita’s (Bhumi Pednekar) final phone call to her former fiancé, Aditya, suggests a new chapter in her healing process, and her unresolved professional rivalry with colleagues like Indu (Chinmay Mandlekar) provides ample material for a continuation.