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

“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.