"Sultan of Delhi" emerges as a deluge of gangster drama clichés that fail to find solid ground. Reflecting on Milan Lutharia's previous success with "Once Upon a Time in Mumbai" in 2010, a period gangster film that ventured into the city's criminal underworld, it was initially seen as a fresh approach. The blend of suave actors and intense dialogues seemed tailor-made for the milieu. However, when a particular storytelling structure garners praise in Bollywood, the industry often tends to replicate it. With the rise of OTT platforms, filmmakers now have the liberty to extend their stylistic choices to longer formats, yet this does not guarantee success.

Unfortunately, Milan Lutharia's stereotypical choices in "Sultan of Delhi" fall short, indicating a saturation point for such narratives among audiences. The abundance of verbose scenes, predictable character arcs, objectification of women, and superficial portrayals contribute to the series' shortcomings. While Arnab Ray's source material may offer more depth, the screenplay fails to capitalize on its potential, despite the presence of layered characters and talented actors.

Tahir Raj Bhasin leads the cast as Arjun, a young man whose journey from a traumatized teenager to a street-smart mechanic turned aspiring gangster forms the heart of the story. Despite Bhasin's charisma, the series struggles to breathe life into its characters, including Anjum Sharma's Bangali, Nishant Dahiya's Rajendra Pratap Singh, Vinay Pathak's Jagan, Anupriya Goenka's Shankari Devi, and Mouni Roy's Nayantara.

Each character, while possessing certain traits and motivations, feels like a caricature rather than a fully realized individual. The disjointed narrative, coupled with historical inaccuracies and superficial treatment of complex themes, undermines the series' potential impact. Despite the efforts of the cast, "Sultan of Delhi" fails to engage viewers beyond its surface-level spectacle.

The portrayal of Arjun, a character torn between righteousness and ambition, is emblematic of the series' struggle to find its footing. Tahir Raj Bhasin's performance captures the complexities of Arjun's journey, but the narrative fails to provide sufficient depth to support his character development.

Anjum Sharma's portrayal of Bangali, a loyal friend with a penchant for trouble, adds some levity to the story, but ultimately feels one-dimensional. Nishant Dahiya's Rajendra Pratap Singh, the principal antagonist, lacks the depth needed to make him a compelling villain. Similarly, Vinay Pathak's Jagan and Anupriya Goenka's Shankari Devi suffer from underdeveloped characterizations, despite the actors' best efforts.

Mouni Roy's Nayantara serves primarily as a plot device, lacking agency and depth beyond her physical presence. While the series attempts to explore themes of loyalty, betrayal, and ambition, it ultimately falls short of delivering a cohesive and engaging narrative.

"Sultan of Delhi" may have been an ambitious project, but its lack of research and shallow characterizations undermine its potential impact. While the cast delivers commendable performances, they are ultimately let down by a flawed script and uneven storytelling. Despite its shortcomings, the series may still hold some appeal for viewers interested in the gangster drama genre. However, for those seeking a more nuanced and engaging narrative, "Sultan of Delhi" may ultimately disappoint.