Kohrra Season 2 deepens its dark look at crime, grief and power in rural India

The Punjabi crime series returns with a new case and a new pairing of investigators, using murder to probe family secrets, authority and loss in a changing landscape.

With its second season, Kohrra resumes as a slow-burning crime drama set in the villages of Punjab, where a single violent death exposes fractures beneath everyday life. The series centers on a fresh murder investigation led by two contrasting police officers, using the mechanics of a procedural to examine grief, loyalty and power in a community shaped by tradition and quiet upheaval.

The tone of Kohrra Season 2 remains deliberate and brooding. This season has been described as quieter and even more melancholic than its predecessor, with long silences and a slow, atmospheric pace that underline the emotional stakes of the plot. The crime at the center of the season is used as a lens on human relationships: rather than focusing only on uncovering the killer, the narrative explores family bonds, past traumas and the things people do to keep secrets. In interviews, creator Sudip Sharma has emphasized that the show treats the investigation as a conduit for character drama — the murder is the beginning of the story, not the end of it.

Behind the scenes, the core creative team from Season 1 remains intact. Kohrra is co-created and co-written by Sudip Sharma, who co-directs the new season with Faisal Rahman. Sharma, known for his gritty crime work (he wrote the acclaimed series Paatal Lok and co-wrote the film Udta Punjab), has taken on directorial duties here. He and writing partners Gunjit Chopra and Diggi Sisodia crafted a story that consciously avoids the first season’s familiar patterns. The production is handled by Film Squad and Act Three in association with Netflix, continuing the collaboration that launched the series.

The cast mixes familiar faces with new additions. Barun Sobti returns as the one-time rogue cop Garundi, whose laid-back, instinctive approach now plays off against the disciplined style of SI Dhanwant Kaur, portrayed by Mona Singh. Singh, a veteran actress known for earlier roles in both comedy and drama, plays the senior officer as quiet and composed, carrying her own grief under the surface. Season 2 also brings in Rannvijay Singha as the victim’s husband, a wealthy NRI whose overseas life and returns raise questions. Newcomer Pooja Bhamrrah plays the murdered woman, while Anurag Arora plays her brother — both central to the unfolding case. (Notably, the first season’s lead investigator, Sub-Inspector Balbir Singh, is absent this time, allowing the new duo and their supporting cast to take center stage.)

As a Netflix production, Kohrra joins a growing field of international crime dramas aimed at both local and global audiences. Its Punjabi setting and language distinguish it from many series on the platform, offering a glimpse of life in India’s heartland. The show’s visuals – often misty fields and small-town streets – recall the moodiness of European noir thrillers, but the story remains firmly rooted in Indian social realities. In recent years Netflix and other streamers have promoted regional stories with high production values, and Kohrra exemplifies this trend by pairing polished cinematography and production design with a narrative steeped in local culture.

Season 2 explicitly weaves in cultural and social themes. It highlights tensions between tradition and modernity in Punjabi society, such as the impact of migration and technology. For instance, suspicion falling on a character who lives abroad touches on the complex relationship many communities have with their diaspora. The series also subtly addresses issues of authority and change in rural life, as traditional hierarchies are tested. By portraying a murder investigation among villagers and police, Kohrra reflects contemporary social dynamics – from family honor to the influence of outside worlds – giving it resonance beyond the mystery itself. This approach allows the show to appeal both to Indian viewers and to Punjabi-speaking audiences around the world, who may recognize the cultural nuances.

The launch of Kohrra Season 2 reflects broader trends in streaming entertainment. Audiences today are increasingly seeking out crime mysteries from diverse regions – as seen with international hits from Scandinavia, Japan and elsewhere – and platforms like Netflix are responding by investing in local-language series. In this context, Kohrra shows how a story rooted in a specific place can find a wide audience. It highlights the appetite for character-driven, genre storytelling that also offers authentic cultural detail. As streaming services continue to expand their regional offerings, Kohrra’s return may encourage similar productions and possibly further installments of the series. In any case, the show’s comeback underlines how digital platforms have made it possible for a tightly wound mystery in rural Punjab to capture attention on a global scale.