Anjali Anand on 'Dabba Cartel': "I was the last to join, hadn't even read the script & Shabana Maam......."

The much-anticipated crime drama Dabba Cartel is set to make its debut on Netflix, with the makers recently unveiling its gripping official trailer across social media. The series introduces viewers to a seemingly ordinary group of middle-class women running a dabba (tiffin) service. However, beneath this façade lies a dangerous secret—they operate a dual business, discreetly distributing drugs along with their meals. What starts as a covert operation soon spirals into chaos when they become entangled in a perilous pharmaceutical scam.

At the trailer launch event, actress Anjali Anand shared her thoughts on the show’s storyline and her experience working on it.

When questioned: You are part of a show that explores how women take charge of their lives in extraordinary ways. How did your characters go through this journey, and what do you admire the most about them? To this Anjali responded,

"I play Shahida, and she is a survivor, a fighter. There is so much I have learned from her, and at the same time, there is so much of myself that I could bring to her. I relate to her because I consider myself a survivor and a fighter as well. Portraying Shahida was an enjoyable experience, bringing in a different flavor to my acting. I say "flavor" because "dabba," you know—I'm not trying to be funny, but I truly enjoyed playing her. This role was unlike anything I had done before, yet it felt surprisingly easy."

- Anjali

She also expressed her excitement about being part of such a dynamic ensemble cast, which includes industry veterans like Shabana Azmi, Jyotika, and Gajraj Rao, alongside talented performers such as Nimisha Sajayan, Shalini Pandey, Sai Tamhankar, Jisshu Sengupta, Lillete Dubey, and Bhupendra Singh Jadawat. She quoted,

"The entire team on stage made it effortless for me to integrate into the production. I was the last addition to the cast, and everything happened very quickly. I hadn’t even read the script when I got the call, but within two minutes, I knew I wanted to do it. Another exciting part of this journey was getting to work with Shabana Azmi for the third time. In my relatively young career, collaborating with her again has been an honor. If given the opportunity, I would work with her for the rest of my life."

- Anjali Anand

Helmed by director Hitesh Bhatia, Dabba Cartel is produced by Excel Media and Entertainment, with its creative foundation laid by Shibani Akhtar, Vishnu Menon, Gaurav Kapur, and Akanksha Seda. As anticipation builds, fans can mark their calendars for February 28, 2025, when this gripping crime saga will officially premiere on Netflix.