Bhumi Pednekar is embracing a complex and challenging role as DCP Rita Ferreira in the upcoming Prime Original crime-drama series, Daldal. The series, set to premiere on January 30, 2026, plunges into Mumbai's dark underbelly, following Ferreira as she leads a high-stakes investigation to hunt down a ruthless serial killer.

Pednekar describes Rita Ferreira as a "flawed, broken" character, marking a departure from her previous roles. In an interview, she expressed that playing Rita has been one of the most intense and creatively fulfilling experiences of her career. She added that Rita is a woman shaped by ambition, navigating the murky waters of a tense cat-and-mouse game while carrying immense psychological weight.

Daldal, based on Vish Dhamija's bestselling novel Bhendi Bazaar, promises a dark and unsettling journey. The series distinguishes itself by focusing on the emotional strain of those involved in the hunt for a serial killer, rather than relying on sensationalism. The trailer, released on January 21, 2026, emphasizes building tension through restraint, pauses, and silences, with Pednekar's presence grounding the narrative. The case delves into how the pursuit extracts a toll on the person leading the investigation.

Pednekar revealed that portraying Rita required her to unlearn many of her acting instincts. Unlike her previous characters, Rita is restrained, stoic, and largely silent, which initially left Pednekar feeling creatively restricted. She confessed to feeling "very, very disabled on set" as she was accustomed to more emotionally heightened performances. Over time, she realized that Rita's silence was not emptiness but emotional suppression.

The actress also addressed facing online criticism and comments about her appearance after the release of The Royals, mentioning that trolling affected her, as it would anyone else. Despite the challenges and online negativity, Pednekar actively seeks out layered, complex women to portray, hoping for more stories centering "humanized" women. She puts her heart and soul into every character and embraced the opportunity to play an anti-hero in Daldal, expanding her range of powerful roles.

Daldal is described as an intelligent show that deals with childhood trauma and how it shapes a person. Pednekar explained that her character has two sides: one in uniform and one outside it, both existing together but very different. She added that her role had very little dialogue across the episodes, emphasizing that "less is more," which is how the show was made.