Veteran actor Puneet Issar is set to front the upcoming crime series 'Shadyantra' as its central narrator, guiding viewers through a slate of real-life crime cases and conspiracies drawn from documented facts.

The Role and What It Involves

Speaking about his character, Puneet said: 'Is crime series mein main mukhya sutradhar ka paatra nibha raha hoon. Ye show basically jitne bhi crimes hue hain, jitne bhi shadyantra ke shikaar hue hain, in situations ko, in cases ko hum facts and figures jo asli hain, woh waise hi hum pesh karne wale hain logon ke saamne. Aur jo mera character hai, woh unhe narrate karega, unhe batayega' — translated: 'I am playing the main narrator in the show. The show will present real facts and figures related to crimes and people who became victims of conspiracies, and my character will narrate and tell their stories to the audience.'

The actor stressed that the series is anchored in verified facts, setting it apart from fictional crime dramas that take creative liberties with real events.

What Sets 'Shadyantra' Apart

Puneet revealed that director Ranjit Jha's distinctive creative vision was a key factor in drawing him to the project. 'The interesting part was when Ranjit Jha shared his vision of how he wanted to make the series,' he said.

A defining structural feature of 'Shadyantra' is Puneet's appearance at the close of every episode, where he distils the central lesson of each case for viewers. In his own words: 'Ismein ye visheshata hai ki hum har episode ke end mein, main jo hoon… main end mein har episode ka saar bataunga, uska crux bataunga, uska essence bataunga' — meaning he will present the summary, the crux, and the essence of each case as a closing statement.

'So usmein kaafi zyada emotions bhi jud jaate hain,' he added — acknowledging that this format naturally builds an emotional connection to every case covered.

Puneet Issar's Career in Context

Puneet Issar is among the more recognisable faces across both Hindi cinema and television, with a career spanning several decades. His film credits include 'Coolie', 'Zanjeer', 'Sanam Bewafa', 'Ram Jaane', 'Border', and 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha'.

On television, he is perhaps best remembered for playing Duryodhan in the landmark mythological series 'Mahabharat' — a role that cemented his place in Indian pop-culture memory. The 'Shadyantra' assignment marks a pivot toward true-crime storytelling, a genre that has seen sustained audience appetite on Indian streaming and broadcast platforms.

What to Expect

'Shadyantra' promises a fact-based narrative centred on real crimes and conspiracies. With Puneet Issar as the thread connecting every episode, the series appears designed to blend journalistic rigour with the emotional weight of personal storytelling — a format that distinguishes it from dramatised reconstructions common in the genre. A release date for the series has not yet been announced.