Swipe Crime
Swipe Crime | |
---|---|
Genre | Crime drama Thriller |
Created by | Harsh Mainra |
Written by | Harsh Mainra Ritika Chouhan Nilesh Pal |
Directed by | Harsh Mainra |
Starring | Rishab Chadha Mugdha Agarwal Sanyam Sharma Malvika Raaj Faisal Malik |
Country of origin | India |
Original language | Hindi |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 8 |
Production | |
Producers | Jyoti Chouhan Prashant Shinde |
Production company | Versatile Motion Pictures |
Original release | |
Network | MX Player |
Release | 20 December 2024 |
Swipe Crime is an Indian Hindi‑language crime‑thriller web series written and directed by Harsh Mainra and produced by Versatile Motion Pictures. The eight‑episode first season premiered worldwide on the ad‑supported platform MX Player on 20 December 2024.[1][2]
Set at the fictional Gyanshakti University, the story follows first‑year students who create a dating app while a senior’s death by online blackmail prompts a parallel investigation.[3] Critics praised the youth‑centric focus and performances, though some found later episodes uneven.[4]
Plot
[edit]First‑year computer‑science student Vidhan and classmates Brian, Raunak and Swati develop "Dating Shating", a dating app meant to create safer matches.[2] Their optimism fades when senior Mallick dies by suicide after online blackmail. Final‑year student Vikram ("Vicky") vows to expose the culprit and infiltrates fraud networks using false profiles.[5] The investigation collides with the app launch, forcing the group to confront corporate predators, hackers and moral questions about privacy and justice.
Cast and characters
[edit]- Rishab Chadha as Vidhan – ambitious freshman leading the project.
- Sanyam Sharma as Vikram (Vicky) – final‑year student seeking justice.
- Mugdha Agarwal as Swati – pragmatic coder.
- Malvika Raaj as Jessica Kapoor – entrepreneur behind rival app "Love Lane".[6]
- Faisal Malik as Professor Kapil Khatra – strict head of department.[7]
- Diksha Singh as Juhi – student linked to the scam.[8]
- Riya Deepsi as Purnima – new professor advising the group.
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]The development of Swipe Crime was driven by the creative vision of director Harsh Mainra and a team of writers including Ritika Chauhan and Nilesh Pal.[7]The series was conceptualized to explore the intersection of modern campus life and the growing threat of cybercrime, particularly in the context of dating apps and online relationships. Mainra, who also co-produced the series under Versatile Motion Pictures alongside Jyoti Chouhan, Prashant Shinde, Upendra Sharma, and Lalit Kshatriya, sought to create a narrative that resonated with young audiences navigating the complexities of the digital age.[9]The story centers on a group of university students at Gyanshakthi University whose lives are upended by an online scam, leading to a tragic suicide. The narrative was inspired by real-life incidents of cybercrime and aims to highlight the vulnerability of young people in an increasingly digital world. According to Mainra, the series is intended to be both entertaining and thought-provoking, encouraging viewers to reflect on the choices and risks associated with online interactions.[7][10]The series was filmed on location in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and features cinematography by Prateek Desai. The production team emphasized authenticity in depicting campus life and the digital landscape, with the goal of making the story relatable to its target audience.[11]
Filming
[edit]Swipe Crime was filmed on location in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. The series was produced by Versatile Motion Pictures, with Harsh Mainra serving as director and co-writer alongside Ritika Chauhan and Nilesh Pal. Cinematography was handled by Prateek Desai, and the production team included Prashant Shinde and Jyoti Chouhan as producers. The series features an ensemble cast, including Sanyam Sharma, Mugdha Agarwal, Riya Deepsi, Rishab Chaddha, Faisal Malik, and Diksha J Singh, among others. The show premiered on Amazon MX Player on 20 December 2024, and consists of nine episodes with a total runtime of approximately 5 hours 20 minutes.[11][12]
Release
[edit]MX Player unveiled the official trailer on 18 December 2024.[10] All eight episodes, with Hindi audio and Tamil and Telugu dubs, were released free on 20 December 2024.[2]
Reception
[edit]Critical response
[edit]The Times of India rated the series 3.5/5 for campus authenticity and brisk pacing while noting plot contrivances.[4] Hindi outlet FilmyDrip called the show "शानदार" ("excellent") for spotlighting dating‑app dangers.[13]Filmibeat noted the series' ensemble cast and its focus on the darker side of dating apps and cybercrime, calling it a timely release that resonates with young viewers navigating the digital world.[12]TellyBoosters describes Swipe Crime as "a gripping tale of friendship, ambition and digital dangers," noting that despite some plot gaps, the series' engaging characters and strong performances make it a compelling watch. The review highlights the show's balance between crime, emotional depth, and the dangers of the digital age, with particular praise for Rishab Chadha, Sanyam Sharma, and Faisal Malik's performances.[14]Telangana Today reports that Swipe Crime is "targeted at youth who use dating apps," exploring the complexities of college life and blending it with a dark and sinister digital scam. According to the article, the series stands out for its relevance to the digital experiences of today's youth.[15]
Audience response
[edit]MX Player reported that Swipe Crime trended for 12 days post‑release, driven largely by viewers aged 18–24.[16]The IMDb rating for the TV series Swipe Crime is **6.4/10** based on approximately 183–184 user ratings as of early May 2025.[17]
Themes and analysis
[edit]The storyline shows how algorithmic matching and stolen images enable doxxing and deep‑fake blackmail. Mugdha Agarwal said the drama "captures the realities of today’s youth", while Ronit Ashra argued that apps "take away the magic of real‑life meetings".[18][19][20]
Jessica Kapoor’s bid to acquire the students’ app for analytics mirrors real dating‑app consolidation. Reviewers called it a critique of "monetising intimacy", and Malvika Raaj noted the theme’s relevance for young users.[6][14]
Vikram’s use of fake profiles and eventual kidnapping raises questions about personal justice. Hardik Thakkar said the show "exposes the dark side of dating apps and social media", urging viewers to weigh safety against the rule of law.[21]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Swipe Crime OTT release date: When to watch on MX Player". India Times. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Swipe Crime OTT release date – where to watch it online". Gadgets360. NDTV. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Swipe Crime – Season 1". Prime Video. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b Srivastava, Abhishek (23 December 2024). "Swipe Crime Season 1 review: An engaging crime drama". The Times of India. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Swipe Crime – series information". The Times of India. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Swipe Crime is targeted at youth who use dating apps, says Malvika Raaj". The Times of India. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Faisal Malik to return as professor in streaming series 'Swipe Crime'". The Times of India. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Diksha Singh reflects on online safety after shocking incident". Femina. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Hardik Thakkar on 'Swipe Crime': the name immediately intrigued me". Telangana Today. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Amazon MX Player drops the trailer of 'Swipe Crime'". MediaBrief. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Swipe Crime (TV Series 2024– )". IMDb. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Swipe Crime Hindi Movie: Release Date, Cast, Story, Ott ..." Filmibeat. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Swipe Crime review in Hindi". FilmyDrip (in Hindi). 24 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Swipe Crime Season 1 Review: A Gripping Tale of Friendship, Ambition and Digital Dangers". TellyBoosters. 26 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "'Swipe Crime' is targeted at youth who use dating apps, says actor Malvika Raaj". Telangana Today. 22 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Rishab Chadha unveils turbulent journey as Vidhan". Business News Week. 22 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Swipe Crime (TV Series 2024– ) - User reviews - IMDb". IMDb.
- ^ "Ronit Ashra calls 'Swipe Crime' an opportunity to reflect on complexities of digital age". www.daijiworld.com.
- ^ "Get ready for a thrilling ride as Amazon MX Player drops the trailer". Media Infoline. 18 December 2024.
- ^ "Swipe Crime actors Mugdha Agarwal & Ronit Ashra talk dating‑app culture". Hauterrfly. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Dating‑app dangers exposed in 'Swipe Crime': Hardik Thakkar". Pune Mirror. 24 December 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
External links
[edit]- Swipe Crime at IMDb