Murder in Agonda review: Shriya Pilgaonkar-Aasif Khan's mini-series is gripping, intense and weirdly funny

3/5

Story:

The show is a murder mystery. It revolves around the murder case of Mala Coutinho (Lillette Dubey), who belongs to a reputed family in Agonda, Goa. Sanket Salelkar (Aasif Khan) takes up the investigation of the case and seeks help from his sister and forensic expert, Sarla to solve it.

Review:

The crime thriller, Murder in Agonda opens with Sanket Salelkar, being criticised by his mother. A fan of crime shows, she ridicules him for not working on any high-profile case. So, when he learns about a mysterious murder case of a wealthy woman, Mala Coutinho, he feels overjoyed. He goes to the crime scene and questions the family with the help of his sister and forensic expert Sarla, who has just resigned from her job and returned to Goa. Each family member in the house, where she was found dead, has their own version of what happened on the night she died, revealing several dark truths and twists and turns, leaving the investigators even more confused.

The show features brilliant performances by the ensemble cast. Shriya Pilgaonkar as Sarla and her character graph over the five episodes of the series is relatable as she is seen trying to figure out her life while also solving the case. The peculiar maid Nirmala in the house will leave you in splits. Swati Das as Nirmala is brilliant. The way, the grey shades of Kubra Sait's character are revealed is interesting and she excels in her performance as a killer in another case, that was being investigated by Sarla.

Aasif Khan steals the show as a dim-witted police officer in this gripping tale. His relationship with on-screen sister Sarla and the way the two solve the case together is refreshing, adorable and a delight to watch.

The background music adds drama and a bit of comedy to the otherwise quite dark series. The way the story has been treated is impeccable. The dark humour, and crisp writing with several unpredictable twists make it an engaging watch. The way the story unfolds is interesting. It is a binge-watch worthy series, which keeps you guessing who is the killer and it is hard to get the guess right, no matter how many Agatha Christie and Sydney Sheldon books you've read. The episodes end in suspense, making you curious to watch the next episode. The story will keep you at the edge of your seats, without taking your eyes off the screen even for a second. The attention to detail in the series is applaudable.

The show ends on a perfect cliffhanger moment, making you curious to find out how the story will unfold in the new season.

Verdict:

The mini-series is a must-watch. The story has several unpredictable twists that make it even more engaging and intriguing.