‘Chhal Kapat – The Deception’ Review: Shriya Pilgaonkar headlines a mystery that's serviceable but never truly gripping and lacks edge

‘Chhal Kapat – The Deception’

‘Chhal Kapat – The Deception’ is a whodunit that borrows heavily from the Agatha Christie playbook but never really captures the tautness or emotional grip of a compelling mystery thriller.

The central case involving the alleged suicide of a social media influencer fails to deliver a solid punch and rarely moves beyond genre clichés. It’s the short runtime of the episodes that works in the show's favour—it doesn’t drag and remains watchable. However, it sticks so closely to the basic template of the mystery genre that it becomes predictable and unimaginative. There’s no attempt to push boundaries or introduce fresh ideas, making this a forgettable addition to the already crowded world of crime thrillers.

The story is set in an old ancestral Haveli where Alisha (Kamya Ahlawat) is preparing for her engagement. She invites her childhood best friends—Shalu (Yahhve Sharma), Mehak (Ragini Dwivedi), and Ira (Tuhina Das)—for the celebration. Shalu is a small-town social media influencer with a tendency to ruffle feathers with her frankness. Ira has travelled with her ailing daughter, and Mehak, now a homemaker, is married to Vikram (Anuj Sachdeva), the politically connected son of a local leader. Things take a dark turn when Shalu is found dead in a pond. Initially declared a suicide, the case catches the attention of Devika Rathod (Shriya Pilgaonkar), a newly posted Superintendent of Police in Burhanpur. Devika suspects foul play and begins an investigation that gradually unravels the secrets, finally exposing the real killer.

Shriya Pilgaonkar plays Devika Rathod with a certain restraint. Her portrayal of the upright cop is competent, but her performance lacks depth or colour, rendering the character somewhat flat. While she has a commanding presence, there’s little variation in her expression or tone, making her feel one-note. Among the other performers, Tuhina Das as Ira, Yahhve Sharma as Shalu, and Ragini Dwivedi as Mehak are serviceable but unremarkable. None of them manage to add layers to their roles or elevate the drama. On the male front, Anuj Sachdeva as Vikram comes across as polished but unmemorable, while Smaran Sahu as Jugal, Alisha’s fiancé, shows some spark but can’t overcome the limitations of a shallow script.

The series employs the familiar tactics of misdirection—shifting suspicion from one character to another, planting red herrings, and withholding key information—but without strong writing or compelling performances, these elements feel mechanical. The mystery picks up some pace only in the final two episodes when the story begins to tie up its many loose ends. Until then, the series coasts along in a rather uninspired manner. One recurring subplot involving Devika’s past feels awkward and disconnected from the main story, adding little value. It’s only addressed as an afterthought in the last few scenes, making it feel like an unfinished thread hastily sewn shut.

‘Chhal Kapat’ tries to be a twisty thriller but plays it far too safe. It relies on genre conventions without ever subverting or refreshing them. The final revelation does bring some closure, but by then, it feels too little too late. The absence of emotional stakes and the average performances across the board leave the series stranded in the zone of mediocrity. If you’re looking for a mildly engaging mystery that doesn’t demand much of your attention, this might pass. But for true lovers of the genre, it may not be enough.