Powder is about the narcotics trade in Mumbai, and two men who are on the opposite ends of the law—Head of the NCB Usmaan Malik and Mumbai drug kingpin Naved Ansari. Both Usmaan and Naved grew up in the slums of Mumbai and chose different paths that eventually put them in front of each other. The biggest challenge for Usmaan and his team at NCB is to connect Naved with any drug bust or evidence, mainly because Naved is a ghost who does not exist in any civil records. Naved on the other hand, while fending off the authorities off his back, also struggles to climb the political ladder of his own business. The show explores the basic human traits like greed, loyalty, power, friendship, love and betrayal—while showing how the drug trade and authorities function. During the end of the series, a real life detective from DRI, an institution that had also been portrayed in the series, applauded the makers for their tedious research work and steadfast allegiance to reality. The show was widely lauded for its storytelling and execution, but fell prey to low ratings and kept being pushed into the late night slots.
Cast
Usmaan Ali Malik -- Played by Manish Choudhary, Usmaan is the superintendent of the Narcotics Control Bureau, Mumbai. Experienced and efficient, he is focussed and determined to catch Naved Ansari, but is also very conscious of working under the law. Friendly and kind, Usmaan turns really strict and hostile when it comes to breaking the law, even if its by his own team members, doing it for a greater good. In an external battle to abolish the drug abused scenario and an internal battle of whether he has lost more than what he gained in life, he unknowingly has set a perfect example for his team.
Naved Ansari -- The kingpin of the Mumbai drug scene, and The Phantom—Naved does not exist on papers, and this is the biggest challenge before the authorities. Similar to Usmaan, Naved had a humble beginning in the slums of Mumbai. He worked for Usmaan as an informer while smuggling of electronics and luxury items was on the peak in Mumbai. But soon Naved learned the art of crime trade and became one of the most powerful and feared man in the town. Though Naved is uneducated, he is sharp like a blade when it comes to taking care of business. A strong sense of business, and human traits make Naved a difficult man to catch and beat. Naved and Usmaan's relationship forms a pivotal foundation of the show. He is played by Pankaj Tripathi.
Mahendra Ranade -- Rahul Bagga plays the tough intelligence officer of the NCB who hates both crime and criminals. Young, brash, street-smart, foul mouthed but a loyal friend and protector of law, Mahendra is a typical case of extreme personality. Mahendra is a firm believer of an eye for an eye and falls in trouble due to his hot headedness. Also, he dislikes the idea of having a woman in NCB, which according to him is clearly a place only for men. He is loyal not to his superintendent, but to his ultimate goal of catching criminals. Mahendra does not mind bending the laws of the backs of criminals in order to attain his aim, and shows no mercy even when it comes to that.
Brinda Sawhney -- Played by Geetika Tyagi, Brinda is the new, unrepentent and remorseless recruit who comes from an affluent family. Wanting more than a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle, Brinda constantly faces male chauvinism for being the only woman in the male dominated NCB. Haunted by the suicide of Brinda's brother, her mother is overly protective and wants her to settle down. Brinda is irked that both at work and home, she is often treated like a child who does not know what is right and wrong. Though vulnerable and easily pushed to the edge, Brinda shows her capability when it comes to takes initiative. Usmaan acts as Brinda's mentor and teaches her the tricks of the trade.
