Rana Naidu S01
Director: Karan Anshuman and Suparn Verma
Cast: Rana Daggubati, Venkatesh Daggubati, Surveen Chawla, Suchitra Pillai, Gaurav Chopra, Ashish Vidyarthi, Sushant Singh, Abhishek Banerjee, Adithya Menon
Rana Naidu Season 1 premiered in March 2023 on Netflix and introduces us to Rana Naidu (Rana Daggubati), a polished fixer for Bollywood’s elite who buries scandals without question. His ordered life spirals when his estranged father Naga Naidu (Venkatesh Daggubati) is released from prison after 15 years—for a crime he didn’t commit—and re-enters the chaos of his family’s life. WikipediaHindustan TimesHigh On Films
Over the course of ten episodes (each running about 40–50 minutes), the show charts the breakdown of Rana’s controlled world as he confronts unresolved trauma and resurging secrets. Themes such as duty, betrayal, redemption, and identity take center stage amid his emotionally volatile dealings with his father, wife Naina (Surveen Chawla), and his brothers—Jaffa (Abhishek Banerjee), a recovering alcoholic, and Tej (Sushant Singh), a stuntman struggling with Parkinson’s. Hindustan Times
Directed by Karan Anshuman and Suparn Verma, the series is visually slick and gritty in tone. It crafts a vibrant portrayal of Mumbai’s elite and dark underbelly, and benefits greatly from sharp editing and a taut pace that maintains suspense while highlighting the emotional weight of each revelation. High On Films+4thatsmye.com+4Wikipedia+4
Performances are its greatest strength. Venkatesh surprises in his role as Naga with a potent mix of menace, vulnerability, and distinctive Hyderabadi slang. Rana is stoic yet nuanced as the protagonist whose calm facade gradually cracks. Supporting actors such as Gaurav Chopra (Prince), Surveen, Abhishek Banerjee, and Ashish Vidyarthi impress with layered portrayals. Reddit+1Reddit+1
Critics were divided: Rotten Tomatoes rated Season 1 at 45%, citing sharp performances but inconsistent screenplay and heavy adult content. Rotten Tomatoes Reddit user reactions ranged from praise for its intense tone and acting performances to disappointment over plot gaps and overuse of profanity:
“Rana’s swag and complex character keeps it hooked… Abhishek Banerjee and Rana Daggubati is exceptional” Reddit
“The plot is not very well developed… each character had a unique personality” Reddit+1Reddit+1
Despite flaws—especially its bold adult content and occasional uneven writing—Rana Naidu Season 1 stands out for its gripping premise, compelling father‑son dynamic, and strong ensemble performances. A major Indian entry in the crime‑thriller genre that paved the way for a second season in 2025.
Rana Naidu Season 1 premiered in March 2023 on Netflix and introduces us to Rana Naidu (Rana Daggubati), a polished fixer for Bollywood’s elite who buries scandals without question. His ordered life spirals when his estranged father Naga Naidu (Venkatesh Daggubati) is released from prison after 15 years—for a crime he didn’t commit—and re-enters the chaos of his family’s life. WikipediaHindustan TimesHigh On Films
Over the course of ten episodes (each running about 40–50 minutes), the show charts the breakdown of Rana’s controlled world as he confronts unresolved trauma and resurging secrets. Themes such as duty, betrayal, redemption, and identity take center stage amid his emotionally volatile dealings with his father, wife Naina (Surveen Chawla), and his brothers—Jaffa (Abhishek Banerjee), a recovering alcoholic, and Tej (Sushant Singh), a stuntman struggling with Parkinson’s. Hindustan Times
Directed by Karan Anshuman and Suparn Verma, the series is visually slick and gritty in tone. It crafts a vibrant portrayal of Mumbai’s elite and dark underbelly, and benefits greatly from sharp editing and a taut pace that maintains suspense while highlighting the emotional weight of each revelation. High On Films+4thatsmye.com+4Wikipedia+4
Performances are its greatest strength. Venkatesh surprises in his role as Naga with a potent mix of menace, vulnerability, and distinctive Hyderabadi slang. Rana is stoic yet nuanced as the protagonist whose calm facade gradually cracks. Supporting actors such as Gaurav Chopra (Prince), Surveen, Abhishek Banerjee, and Ashish Vidyarthi impress with layered portrayals. Reddit+1Reddit+1
Critics were divided: Rotten Tomatoes rated Season 1 at 45%, citing sharp performances but inconsistent screenplay and heavy adult content. Rotten Tomatoes Reddit user reactions ranged from praise for its intense tone and acting performances to disappointment over plot gaps and overuse of profanity:
“Rana’s swag and complex character keeps it hooked… Abhishek Banerjee and Rana Daggubati is exceptional” Reddit
“The plot is not very well developed… each character had a unique personality” Reddit+1Reddit+1
Despite flaws—especially its bold adult content and occasional uneven writing—Rana Naidu Season 1 stands out for its gripping premise, compelling father‑son dynamic, and strong ensemble performances. A major Indian entry in the crime‑thriller genre that paved the way for a second season in 2025.