Murder in Mahim Review: The webseries does a fair job at portraying everyday homophobia and the dehumanization of the queer community

Murder in Mahim is currently available for streaming on JioCinema.

“Ye Gudd logon ka adda hai (This is a hook-up spot for gay people)”, says a policeman to another while pointing to a men’s washroom at Mahim railway station. “Tumhe kaise pata (How do you know)?” quips a grumpy-looking Vijay Raaz who plays Shivajirao Jende, who isn’t too happy with the forensic team running late. Soon, a media person lashes out at Jende for using the slur ‘gudd’ for the LGBTQ+ community. Jende’s superior isn't happy with the incident because it brings disrepute to the department.

Simultaneously, images play on television news channels on the criminalization of Section 377 and the subsequent protests. Ashutosh Rana is Peter Fernandes, a retired journalist who spots his son in the protest visuals, causing his wife Millie (Divya Jagdale) to have a mental breakdown where she asks questions like “Are dolphins gay?”At one point, she wonders if wearing a frock as a child turned her son, a college-going LGBTQ+ ally, gay.

Directed by Rajesh Acharya, 'Murder in Mahim' is based on Jerry Pinto’s book of the same name which received appreciation for its unique blend of the two themes — crime-thriller and queer romance.  The social commentary on the motive of the murder, and the repeated news flashes on the decriminalization of Section 377 leave little room for subtlety. As a result, the politics of the show comes across as heavy-handed, as if it was straight out of a school skit.

Credit where due: The series does a fair job at portraying everyday homophobia and the dehumanization of the queer community. As the policeman makes one jarring, unnecessary comment on the murder victim and his sex life, one thing becomes clear; there is no dignity even in death for the gay community. Disenfranchised from the world, the queerfolk often struggle to make their voice heard or in this case, get justice. Much like Pinto’s novel. Acharya’s web series doesn’t hesitate to look at the homophobic world in the eye and expose its ugly discrimination and bias.

What I absolutely couldn’t get enough of is the tongue-in-cheek banter between Raaz (Jende) and his father Dhular (played by Shivaji Satam). Seeing Satam on screen post-CID (the 1998 TV series) evokes major nostalgia. Add to it the cackling chemistry he shares with Raaz and one is sure to have a laughter riot!

As both Peter and Shiva embark on independent investigations to find out the truth about the murder at Matunga railway station, the plot begins to unravel. Peter discovers India’s underground gay scene as he tries to learn more about his son’s sexual preferences. Shiva is aided by a spirited inspector Firdaus (played by the convincing Shivani Raghuvanshi). It is revealed much later that Firdaus, too, is queer — her sexual identity adds another layer to her character who is investigating the murder of a gay man.

Despite some of its wins, Murder in Mahim, at 8 episodes, each of them 45-50 minutes long, is a laborious watch. It offers just enough to the viewers to binge till the end but unfortunately doesn’t keep them as engaged. Could the recent slew of crime-thriller genre films and the subsequent viewer fatigue be a reason for this? Certainly. But the show often sacrifices thrills in the pursuit to offer social commentary.

Murder in Mahim is no Delhi Crime. It has its intentions at the right place but lacks the resolve in other shows in the similar genre. But if you are keen on a crime drama with plenty twists and turns, this might just be the pick for you.

Murder in Mahim is streaming now on JioCinema.