Mrs. Deshpande Review: Madhuri Dixit commands attention in a serial killer tale that chooses convenience over conviction

Mrs Deshpande

‘Mrs. Deshpande,’ directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, began streaming on JioHotstar on 19 December and stars Madhuri Dixit, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Siddharth Chandekar, Dikshan Juneja, Pradeep Velankar, Kavin Dave, and Nimisha Nair.

A chilling idea that never breaks free

‘Mrs. Deshpande’ sets out to explore the mind of a serial killer within an Indian setting, and while the intent feels sincere, the execution never fully commits. The series plays it safe when it could have pushed harder, leaving behind a sense of missed opportunity. What exactly holds it back is difficult to pin down, but Madhuri Dixit’s striking performance ensures that the show remains watchable. Adapted from the French series ‘La Mante,’ ‘Mrs. Deshpande’ ends up as an uneven experience. The idea of a serial killer and a copycat never settles into a steady rhythm, and at times you’re left wondering where the story is headed. In its effort to Indianize the narrative, the series takes too many liberties, losing the edge required for an intense thriller. This is especially surprising coming from Nagesh Kukunoor, who recently delivered the gripping ‘The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case.’

The past returns with a familiar pattern

The story follows Mrs. Deshpande (Madhuri Dixit), a serial killer who once spread fear across Pune by murdering eight people using the same method—a nylon rope. Arrested and imprisoned in Hyderabad, she is now known as Zeenat. Years later, a fresh wave of murders hits Mumbai, following the exact same pattern. With the identity of the killer still unknown, Arun Khatri (Priyanshu Chatterjee), the Mumbai Police Commissioner who originally arrested Deshpande, hatches a plan to secretly bring her to Mumbai to help crack the case. The covert operation is handled by Assistant Commissioner Tejas Phadke (Siddharth Chandekar), but despite the plan, the killings continue. Instead of clear answers, the investigation only peels back layers, adding more confusion than clarity.

Suspense without a trail of clues

Rather than building a gripping atmosphere, the series focuses heavily on plot points and events, which makes the narrative feel unbalanced. While there is suspense, the show offers very few clues for viewers to piece together the identity of the copycat killer. When the truth is finally revealed through a backstory in the final episodes, it feels abrupt rather than earned. Mrs. Deshpande’s character is placed on an unrealistic pedestal, with liberties granted to her that stretch credibility. One particular sequence—where she poisons guards, escapes, and reaches Tejas’s wife’s beauty parlor—stands out for all the wrong reasons. In a situation like this, a full police force would be expected, yet Tejas handles it alone, making the moment unintentionally absurd. What also weakens the series is its uneven pacing.

Strong performances keep you invested

The series does feature some strong performances, though they can only carry it so far without a solid narrative backbone. Madhuri Dixit commands the screen as Mrs. Deshpande, bringing intensity and restraint to the role. Her Marathi dialogue feels authentic, and her performance remains one of the show’s biggest strengths, especially when her character takes unsettling turns. Priyanshu Chatterjee delivers a calm and controlled performance as Commissioner Arun Khatri, fitting well into the role. Siddharth Chandekar plays Tejas Phadke as a sharp and capable officer, though his near-flawless competence limits the character’s depth. A few more missteps could have made him more relatable.

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A mystery that chooses convenience over conviction

The emotional stakes in this series never fully settle, making it hard to stay invested. The result is a thriller that engages briefly but slips away soon after. ‘Mrs. Deshpande’ is a passable watch but never reaches the heights it promises, despite having Nagesh Kukunoor behind the camera and Madhuri Dixit at the centre. The mystery feels half-hearted, and while several characters are hinted at as possible suspects, none are convincing. When the mystery is revealed, you’re left wondering what just happened. With every new layer, the plot seems to take the most convenient path. The series stays afloat largely because of Madhuri Dixit’s compelling performance, but the same praise cannot be extended to its storytelling.

Rating: 3/5