Review: Pritam and Pedro – A Cybercrime Thriller With Heart, Humor, and Strong Performances

Pritam and Pedro, streaming on JioHotstar, marks filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani’s debut in the OTT space — and the series has drawn wide attention for blending cybercrime, buddy cop dynamics, and emotional storytelling.

Overall Impression

Critics broadly agree that Pritam and Pedro is an engaging mix of crime, comedy, and heartfelt moments, elevated by strong performances from Arshad Warsi and debutant Vir Hirani. The show balances suspense with humor while keeping its emotional core intact. 

Performances

•    Arshad Warsi delivers a standout performance as Pedro, bringing both humor and emotional depth to the role. 
•    Vir Hirani, in his acting debut, impresses with his earnest portrayal of Pritam, a tech savvy partner who complements Pedro’s old school policing style. 
•    The supporting cast — including Vikrant Massey, Mona Singh, Boman Irani, Naina Sareen, and others — adds richness to the narrative.

 
Direction & Story

Directed by Avinash Arun, the series combines a cybercrime backdrop with a warm buddy cop dynamic.

•    Hirani’s signature storytelling — emotional beats, humor, and social relevance — is evident throughout. 
•    The narrative is fast paced and nail biting in parts, keeping viewers engaged across its six episodes. 
•    Set in Goa, the show explores the clash between traditional policing and modern digital investigation. 

What Works Well

•    Humor + Heart + Suspense: A refreshing break from darker crime dramas. 
•    Strong chemistry between the lead duo. 
•    Cybercrime theme handled in an accessible, entertaining way. 
•    Warm emotional undertone, typical of Hirani’s style. 

What Doesn’t Work

Some critics felt the series:

•    Leans too heavily on familiar Hirani tropes. 
•    Has moments where the narrative feels predictable or lacks intensity. 

Ratings Snapshot

•    Filmibeat: 3/5 
•    Filmfare: 3.5/5 (Critic), 4.9/5 (Users) 
•    Times of India: 3.5/5 (Critic), 4.4/5 (Users) 
•    NDTV: 4/5 

Verdict

Pritam and Pedro succeeds as a light, entertaining cybercrime thriller with strong performances and a heartfelt narrative. It’s not flawless, but it’s a breezy, enjoyable watch — especially for fans of Hirani’s emotional storytelling and Arshad Warsi’s charismatic screen presence.