Paatal Lok (Season 1, 2020) is an Indian crime thriller series that follows the story of a disillusioned police officer, Hathiram Chaudhary, who is assigned to investigate a high-profile case. The case revolves around the attempted murder of a prominent journalist, Sanjeev Mehra, and leads Hathiram into the dangerous underworld of Delhi. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a web of corruption, violence, and social divides, which reflect the darker, hidden layers of society.

The show explores the concept of Paatal Lok (the underworld), Swarg Lok (the heaven), and Mortal Lok (the human world) as metaphors for the levels of society and morality. The narrative unfolds through a multi-layered investigation, showing the stark contrasts between the privileged and the oppressed, while highlighting issues like caste, class, and corruption. Hathiram’s journey is both a professional and personal one, as he faces internal and external challenges, making Paatal Lok a gripping and intense crime drama with social commentary at its core.