Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Synopsis:
MRS DESHPANDE is about a serial killer and someone who copies her.
A popular Bollywood actor, Virat Malhotra, is found dead in his home. Commissioner Arun Khatri (Priyanshu Chatterjee) arrives at the crime scene, and the way he was killed brings back memories of a case involving Seema Deshpande (Madhuri Dixit), who committed 8 murders 25 years ago in Pune. She is now in Hyderabad Central Jail. Meanwhile, Arun finds out that Virat’s killer might have also killed two other people. However, the media and people haven't made the connection yet because the earlier victims weren't as famous as Virat. The presence of a serial killer in Mumbai could cause panic, so catching the culprit is very important. With no other choice, Arun decides to use an unusual strategy. He asks Mrs Deshpande to help him find the killer. She agrees and is taken to Mumbai. ACP Tejas Phadke (Siddharth Chandekar) and a few trusted cops know that Arun has taken a dangerous criminal out of jail. Mrs Deshpande starts working with the cops by going through the details of the murders. However, she has her own hidden plan. What happens next is what the series is all about.
Mrs Deshpande Story Review:
MRS DESHPANDE is based on the original series 'La Mante' [produced by Jean Nainchrik].
The story by Nagesh Kukunoor and Rohit Banawlikar is quite gripping (pun intended). The screenplay has some loose ends but is still engaging. The dialogues are natural and sharp in some parts.
Nagesh Kukunoor's direction is good.
The idea is promising – the serial killer is a woman and she is released from prison to catch someone who is imitating her. She is unfamiliar with modern tech, but her mind is still sharp. This sets up a lot of drama from the beginning and Nagesh makes the story interesting to watch. A few moments stand out, like Hosh’s (Kavin Dave) meeting with Mrs Deshpande, the killer talking on the phone, or the daring escape by the protagonist at night. In the middle, the makers drop a shocking twist that is unpredictable. However, some viewers might guess who the killer is before the reveal. Despite that, it still adds to the tension. The ending scene of the show is clever.
On the other hand, we don't get full details about all the murders committed by Mrs Deshpande or much about her adult life.
It's also unclear why she's been in jail for 25 years. Is she in for a specific time or for life? Like many crime stories, the makers don’t check CCTV footage, which could have helped them identify the killer much earlier. Some plot points feel too convenient and even a little funny. In a crucial scene, the way the culprit escapes from a mall under the cops' noses leads to some unintentional laughter.
Mrs Deshpande Performances:
Madhuri Dixit delivers a brilliant performance.
Her innocent face makes it hard to imagine her as a dangerous killer, which makes her performance even more effective. She also has a chilling, sinister smile that adds a new dimension and leaves a strong impression. She's first-rate. Siddharth Chandekar, who has made a name for himself in Marathi cinema, does well in what could be considered the lead role. Priyanshu Chatterjee is reliable as always. Diksha Juneja (Tanvi), Nimisha Nair (Divya) and Pradeep Welankar (Ajoba, the grandfather) have important roles and they deliver great performances. Kavin Dave has limited screen time but makes an impact. The same goes for Vishwas Kini (Alex) and Kenneth Desai (Jehaan Daruwala). Umakant Patil (Omkar, a cop), Sulakshana Joglekar (Pallavi Sonawane, a cop) and Hardikk Soni (Imran, a cop who plays songs on a smartphone) are well-cast. Others also perform well.
Mrs Deshpande music and other technical aspects:
There is only one song in the series, 'Meri Baahon Mein Nikle Dum' by Tapas Relia.
It is played during the opening credits and it's catchy. Stray Motion's title sequence is interesting. Tapas Relia's background score adds to the thrill.
Sangram Giri's cinematography is appropriate.
Protique Mojoomdar, Somanwita Bhattacharya and Sabrina Singh's production design is realistic. Gopika Gulwadi's costumes are authentic. Vicky Arora's action scenes are minimal and not bloody, despite the series being about murders. Tapas Shankar's editing is functional, though the series could have been a bit shorter.
Mrs Deshpande Review Conclusion:
Overall, MRS DESHPANDE is powered by a thrilling premise and a never-before-seen performance by Madhuri Dixit, making it a watchable series despite some flaws.
Rating – 3 stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment