"Mrs. Deshpande," directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, now streaming on JioHotstar, presents a Hindi crime thriller adapted from the French television series "La Mante". The six-episode series delves into the psyche of a serial killer and the desperate measures taken to stop a copycat. While the series offers suspense and intrigue, some critics find it relies on familiar tropes of the genre.
Madhuri Dixit steps into the role of Seema Deshpande, also known as Zeenat, a convicted serial killer who has spent 25 years incarcerated. When a new series of murders mirroring her past crimes begins, the police commissioner, Arun Khatri (Priyanshu Chatterjee), makes the controversial decision to enlist her help. Inspector Tejas Phadke (Siddharth Chandekar) is assigned to work with Mrs. Deshpande, remaining skeptical of her motives. Dixit's performance is a highlight, as she embodies the character's motivations, vulnerabilities, and inner conflicts. Her portrayal creates a compelling and oddly empathetic character, even as the writing prevents her from fully embracing the darkness of the role. The actress's ability to project a calm and graceful yet unsettling demeanor is particularly praised.
The narrative unfolds as a psychological maze, with each episode revealing new twists and turns. Kukunoor maintains a firm grip on suspense, strategically withholding key revelations until the very end. Several secondary characters and subplots are introduced to misdirect the viewer, adding layers of intrigue. However, some twists may feel implausible or unnecessarily convoluted. While the series avoids excessive violence, it focuses on the emotional and psychological complexities of the characters. The motives behind the murders, both by Mrs. Deshpande and the copycat killer, are presented for the viewers to judge.
Despite its strengths, "Mrs. Deshpande" occasionally feels familiar and over-explanatory. The straightforwardness in the storytelling can take away from the sense of mystery. Some critics have noted the series' resemblance to early 2000s Indian television crime shows. The visuals and certain scenes may feel derivative, lacking the innovation to reciprocate feelings of fear. The series explores themes of guilt, secrets, and moral ambiguity, but some find the execution predictable.
Overall, "Mrs. Deshpande" is an engaging psychological thriller, largely due to Madhuri Dixit's performance. The series keeps viewers on edge with a gripping murder mystery, even if some plot points are predictable. The final episode delivers a revelation that is likely to leave audiences stunned. Despite some shortcomings, the series is considered bingeworthy, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking narrative.
