PremiumMurder in Mahim review - Vijay Raaz and Ashutosh Rana's teamwork pays off in this exhausting whodunnit
Murder in Mahim review: Directed by Raj Acharya, Vijay Raaz and Ashutosh Rana's web series has premiered today (May 10) on JioCinema. Here's our review of the show!
Last Updated: 12.01 AM, May 10, 2024
Murder in Mahim story:
Based on Jerry Pinto's novel Murder in Mahim, Raj Acharya's web series of the same name is a tale of a heinous crime committed at Mahim railway station in Mumbai. The 8-episode series, available on JioCinema, sheds light on a tough cop joining hands with a senior journalist to crack the case and find the killer of a young man, who is brutally murdered at the Mahim railway station's washroom. As they begin working on this case, they face the harsh realities of society and crime in the city.
Murder in Mahim review:
Written by Mustafa Neemuchwala and Udai Singh Pawar, Murder in Mahim is not a usual murder mystery. We've come across several murder mysteries in the recent past. But this Vijay Raaz and Ashutosh Rana show has something different to offer. Murder in Mahim is not just restricted to multiple murders at a railway station, but it delves deep into the lives of sex workers, the class divide, and the challenges of the LGBTQ+ community.
Vijay Raaz plays the role of tough cop, Shiva Jende, who is tasked with cracking the murder mystery at the Mahim railway station. As he begins his investigation into the case with his junior Firdaus Rabbani (Shivani Raghuvanshi), he comes across the harsh reality of same-sex prostitution. The twist in the tale comes when Sunil becomes a suspect in the case. Sunil is the son of Jende's old friend and senior journalist Peter Fernandes (Ashutosh Rana). Thereafter, Peter, who is now a retired journalist, tries to connect the dots between an old suicide case and the recent multiple murders at the railway station.
Chaos ensues as Jende suspects not one but more people's involvement in the case. But then, there's more to what meets the eye in this series. This is where the curiosity factor sets in. You are left wanting to know more as Jende tries hard to crack the case with Peter's help, in bits and parts. Whether they emerge victorious or fail miserably in this case, is something that remains for you to watch on the streaming platform.
In all honesty, the initial few episodes of Murder in Mahim are engaging as the story builds up at a good pace. However, after a point, it gets tiring to watch the series, which eventually comes across as an exhausting whodunnit. The back-and-forth track between the professional and personal lives of the pivotal characters serves as a distraction. At a few junctures, it seems as if the series has diverted its focus from the main purpose.
That said, it is the teamwork of Vijay and Ashutosh aka Jende and Peter which keeps the boat afloat. Both actors prove that they're the finest talents of Indian cinema. Their portrayal of Jende and Peter goes beyond the equation of a police officer and journalist. Interestingly, it is their friendship, which also serves as a major highlight of the series. Two's a team in this case!
While their characters are well-etched, I wish the makers had made Shivaji Satam's character even meatier. A bit more to his character's life (suspended police officer) in Murder in Mahim would've been interesting to watch.
Murder in Mahim verdict:
Vijay Raaz and Ashutosh Rana's teamwork, as actors, pays off well in Murder in Mahim. If it wasn't for their stellar performances, the series would've been a snooze fest.
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