Source The Hollywood reporter India
MUMBAI — Renowned filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has officially stepped into the streaming world with his maiden OTT venture, Pritam and Pedro. The cybercrime comedy-drama, which premiered on JioHotstar, marks a dual milestone for the Munna Bhai director: his debut as a digital creator and producer, and the acting launchpad for his son, Vir Hirani.
Co-written by Hirani alongside long-time collaborator Abhijat Joshi and Suyash Trivedi, the six-episode series is directed by Paatal Lok fame Avinash Arun. Inspired by Amit Dubey’s tech-thriller books Hidden Files and Return of the Trojan Horse, the series departs from the gritty, dark undertones typical of modern streaming thrillers, leaning instead into Hirani’s signature recipe of humor, heart, and lighthearted social commentary.
The Clashing Chemistry of Instinct and Code
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Goa, Pritam and Pedro centers on an unlikely alliance between two polar-opposite individuals:
**Pedro Gonsalves (Arshad Warsi): An old-school, technologically challenged crime branch detective who gets a “punishment posting” to the cyber cell after an operational mishap.
**Pritam Parker (Vir Hirani): A brilliant hacker and vacuum-cleaner salesman who reluctantly teams up with Pedro to crack cases in exchange for help resolving a personal theft.
The core narrative kicks into high gear when a politician’s son is kidnapped, forcing the duo to pit their contrasting skills against Martin (Vikrant Massey), a cold, calculative master cybercriminal.
Mixed Critical Reception: Heartwarming vs. Out-of-Form
The initial wave of reviews has drawn a distinct line between viewers seeking standard Hirani-style comfort entertainment and critics analyzing the technical depth of the production.
“Smart storytelling with a meaningful message. Pritam and Pedro proves that educating people about cybercrime doesn’t have to be dull,” shared an early viewer on social media, echoing a wave of positive fan sentiment celebrating the show’s easy-to-digest approach to digital safety.
However, industry critics have noted a friction between the creative styles of its collaborators. While some trade analysts praised the 35-minute episodic pacing and the nostalgic “buddy-cop” levity, others labeled the adaptation “sloppy and predictable.” Detractors argue that the narrative oversimplifies the complex mechanics of modern cyber exploitation to fit a simplified “laugh-and-cry” formula, occasionally sacrificing logical progression for convenient emotional payoffs.
Standout Performances and Special Appearances
The unanimous highlight across reviews is the effortless comic timing of Arshad Warsi, whose screen presence anchors the show through its narrative bumps. Making his debut, Vir Hirani delivers a sincere performance, holding his own in high-stakes banter opposite a seasoned veteran like Warsi.
Vikrant Massey provides a chilling, grounded performance as the central antagonist, adding a much-needed layer of tension to the otherwise lighthearted plot. The series also features impactful cameo appearances from Hirani regulars Boman Irani and Sanjay Dutt, alongside Mona Singh, who plays Pedro’s grieving wife in a brief but emotionally weighted role.
Pritam and Pedro is currently streaming all six episodes on JioHotstar.
