There is something about gangster dramas that fascinates Gurmmeet Singh. It led him to helm Mirzapur, a gory tale of gang wars, greed and power. Now, the director has another gangster story up his sleeve, Paan Parda Zarda.

The series sees him team up with Mrighdeep Singh Lamba of Fukrey fame, and Shilpi Dasgupta as they tell the story of opium smuggling in central India. Mona Singh, Tanve Azmi, Rajesh Tailang, Priyanshu Painyuli and Tanya Maniktala star in the crime drama that rolled on September 27.

Singh, who serves as the showrunner and co-director, says that the Jio Studios’ production goes beyond guns and gore to explore family dynamics. “It has elements of love, action and family drama. Developed from an original story created by Shilpi Dasgupta, the interwoven relationships are key to this series,” he says.

Paan Parda Zarda is worlds apart from Lamba’s comedy franchise, Fukrey. The director is eager to try his hand at this genre as he says, “It’s a labour of love that has been created after years of research.” Writer Suparn S Varma adds that creating the show’s “romantic and violent world” was liberating.