Murshid Would Have Been A Whole Different Story If Not For Kay Kay Menon

A SLOW-BURNER GANGSTER DRAMA is a genre I assumed to be long gone, especially with regard to Indian content. The gangster drama of today is usually not even a drama; it’s a thriller, and the edge-of-your-seat element is seen in high-budget action moments peppered with a loud background score and some violence. In this department, Zee5 original series Murshid is an anomaly. Not just because it is a rare slow-burn gangster drama, but also, there are no added frills in terms of forced cliffhangers or comedic subplots.

Murshid is a show about a gangster named Murshid Pathan who ruled Mumbai’s underworld in the 70s and 80s, and is forced out of retirement in the present due to a threat to his family. It is aptly named, as the entire 7-part series rests on the main character, and the unwavering talent of Kay Kay Menon.

The series travels back and forth in time, sometimes showing us Murshid Pathan’s colourfully criminal past, where he was a ruthless criminal-for-hire in the golden era of smuggling in Mumbai of the 70s, and sometimes showing us his present, where he is a quiet, retired do-gooder trying to atone for his past sins by investing in charity and building his community. The plot kicks in when he finds out his younger son has gotten embroiled in a messy situation involving his old nemesis, Farid (an excellent Zakir Hussain). The scenes between Hussain and Menon are truly a delight to watch because of the delicate balance between subtle acting and intense dialogue. Tanuj Virwani plays Kumar Prathap, Murshid’s adopted son and a cop, and he only shines in scenes he shares with Menon. Everything else and everyone else, unfortunately, is forgettable.

Murshid seems like a bit of an after-thought, like the makers greenlit the concept after listening to a one-liner and then they struggled to put the plot pieces together. Some moments through the seven episodes I wondered if this was originally meant to be a film that was later cut into shorter episodes, but the 30-odd minutes of screen time per episode is a welcome change. I was, however, expecting to write off the show because Zee5 has a reputation for being a platform that houses mostly average content, but I was pleasantly surprised that I binged the entire show in one sitting. Menon and Hussain have a lot of scenes together and those pull the narrative forward immensely. Even though the story and the climax were predictable, I found myself fixated on Menon’s performance, and could not get enough. Such is the power of seasoned, experienced acting.

The one creative call in Murshid worth mentioning is the lack of violence and gore in a show that explores crime in Mumbai through the decades. Each episode is packed with thrilling moments that depend on Kay Kay Menon’s deft acting and the writing of the scene. It’s not like violent episodes are not added to the show, but they are creatively portrayed through dialogue. This is impressive for a genre that usually relies on violence to give depth to characters or take the story forward. It takes around 2 episodes to truly grab the audience’s interest, so if you do choose to watch the show, find the patience to sit through the first few hours. Episodes 5 and 6 are particularly gripping because you’re truly invested in the story, and the pace starts to pick up. Murshid has a few redeeming qualities, but without Kay Kay Menon, it’s a whole different story.

Murshid is currently streaming on Zee5.