In a mesmerizing union of noir intrigue and profound social undertones, ‘Murder In Mahim’ transcends typical crime dramas, elevating itself to a realm of deep introspection and raw authenticity. Adapted from Jerry Pinto’s riveting novel, the 8-episode series weaves a tapestry of complexity, delving not only into the dark labyrinth of crime but also into the intricate nomenclature of familial bonds and societal injustices.
Through the lens of this Raj Acharya masterpiece, brilliantly shouldered by Ashutosh Rana and Vijay Raaz, viewers are compelled to confront the harsh realities of a city full of life and deceit—Mumbai. As the narrative unfolds, ‘Murder In Mahim’ challenges us to reflect on the nuanced layers of humanity, prejudice, and the eternal struggle for justice in a world where shadows dance with light.
A cruddy restroom at Mahim station becomes the spot for a barbaric murder of a gay sex worker, and it opens up a Pandora’s box for Officer Shivajirao Jende (played by Vijay Raaz). On the other side of the coin is Peter Fernandes (played by Ashutosh Rana), a retired TV journalist who suspects his son Sunil (played by Rohan Verma) could be a queer after he sees him rallying for their rights.
Set in a time when homosexuality was considered a crime and the LGBTQIA+ community was largely looked down upon as immoral elements of society, the investigation gets more convoluted and murkier for Inspector Jende and his subordinate Firdaus Rabbani (played by Shivani Raghuwanshi) as the spate of similar murder rocks the city, and acquaints the exteriorly tough cop with the city’s underbelly reeking of exploitation, injustice, abuse, class inequality and more.
Beyond the ghastly murders, Jende negotiates his rocky relationship with his father Dhullar (played by Shivaji Satam), an ex-policeman who was implicated and later dismissed on bribery charges. The anger and frustration that simmers within Jende are often exhumed through his unpredictable temper, which deteriorates his bond with his wife and son. Meanwhile, Firdaus, hailing from an orthodox family, goes against the norm and pursues a romantic relationship with his best friend Rehana (played by Benafsha Soonawala), as she comes to terms with her sexuality but hides herself from the piercing and slated lenses of the society, clouded by bias and detestation.
As the story progresses, Jende and Peter, who used to be thick as thieves at some point in their lives come face to face when Peter’s son Sunil emerges as a suspect in the case. Years of bitterness between them transcend and peel off slowly as they individually tackle their respective prejudices and biases towards different genders and sexual identities. In pursuit of the truth about his son, Peter learns about the grim and unsympathetic landscape of gay sex workers of Mahim, who hail from the marginalised strata of the society, abused and manipulated by the system and yet persevering to claim and assimilate themselves with the community.
During its course, this craftily made whodunit challenges norms, dismantles the binary constructs around gender and sexuality and explores the byzantine nature of human relationships. Weaved around the engrossing thriller, several stories strike a chord and urge you to develop a more nuanced perspective on things, that are otherwise deemed unimportant and arbitrary by the majority.
At its core, Murder In Mahim remains mostly honest with Jerry Pinto’s depiction of Mumbai. The pace of the first three episodes might test your patience if you are someone who likes to take a direct plunge into the thick of things. While slow and inconsistent, the viewers get familiarised with every character and subplots and their relevance to the main narrative.
Although the series borrows from the textbook of familiar tropes, usually employed in thrillers like this, the characters are profoundly written, without painting them as heroes or villains. That makes them unpredictable in some scenes and pleasant in others.
The thriller is inundated with characters and scenes that will leave you with a smile on your face and your heart brimming with joy, amid the ugly and chaotic crime investigation. Raj Acharya also excels in portraying the perplexing bond of friendship between Jende and Peter and their messy past. Once akin to
Feluda and Topshe from Satyajit Ray’s Feluda or Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, Peter and Jende navigate their fractured camaraderie and burn bridges in some of the most poignant scenes from the series.
‘Murder in Mahim’ delves deeply into the complex and often strained father-son relationships, exploring them with maturity and insight. The series artfully navigates contentious debates between Peter and Sunil as they spar over the moral dimensions of sex work and same-sex relationships. Similarly, Jende’s volatile interactions with Dhullar are portrayed with nuance, each confrontation logically unfolding to enhance the depth and development of their characters throughout the narrative. This thoughtful depiction underscores the emotional and ethical tumults that drive the story forward, lending it both authenticity and gravitas.
Vijay Raaz and Ashutosh Rana bring to life the characters of Jende and Peter Fernandes with a masterful blend of precision and authenticity. Their performances were enhanced by the commendable efforts of counterparts such as Shivani Raghuvanshi, Divya Jagdale, Shivaji Satam, Bharat Ganeshpure, Rajesh Khattar, Ashutosh Gaikwad, Rohan Verma, and others. Complementing the visceral intensity of the narrative, Neel Adhikari’s background score weaves a haunting and evocative aural landscape that perfectly captures the essence of the film’s dark and compelling storyline.
‘Murder In Mahim’ transcends the boundaries of a mere investigation, evolving into a searing portrayal of a world tainted by ignorance and intolerance—a poignant reminder of the enduring struggles faced by those battling to find acceptance and justice in a realm engulfed by shadows. This coming-of-age thriller, while not devoid of flaws, makes for an engaging and thought-provoking watch, as it stands out from the pantheon of crime dramas we have at our disposal. Murder In Mahim will not only entertain you but will also go a long way in changing perceptions.
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