Madhuri Dixit returns on screen with a vengeance to the thriller genre in Mrs Deshpande, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. This new thriller series is a remake of La Mante, a French film about a serial killer. Madhuri stars in this darker role than fans have come to expect from her; indeed, it is quite a break from her typical glamorous roles. As shown in the trailer, the show has generated a lot of interest and excitement, as it appears to be a layered psychological drama with elements of crime and emotion and familial discord; and with the viewer being afforded the opportunity to see how tension and atmosphere are built by having the lead actress play the role so convincingly as to make her performance frighteningly credible.

Plot Summary

The premise of the series centres on Mrs Deshpande (Madhuri Dixit-Nene), a serial murderer currently serving a sentence of 25 years in prison. Mrs Deshpande's tranquil mundane existence inside prison changes abruptly when a murderer's copycat murders appear that mimic Mrs Deshpande's distinctive style of killing. When the police come looking for assistance, Mrs Deshpande agrees to provide her support on one condition: she will only assist them if she is allowed to partner with her son, who happens to be a detective at this point in time, after having had no communication for many years. Mrs Deshpande being forced to enter into a partnership with her son after a long time apart creates a lot of tension and a multitude of issues of guilt, unresolved tense issues, and unexpressed feelings of resentment between the two characters.

With the investigation advancing, a present-day chase is shown, along with flashbacks revealing why Mrs. Deshpande is so disturbed and violent, as well as the stark difference between her sweet appearance ("bholi si surat") and her violent acts (adding to the duality of this storyline). The conflict between mother and son keep the viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, with the mystry.

Positive Points

• Madhuri Dixit anchors the emotional aspect of the show; her performance is layered, subtle, haunting & full of emotion.
• Nagesh Kukunoor's directing builds an incredible tension in the series & eliminates any distractions from telling the story.
• The bond between the mother & son creates another dimension to the series, taking it beyond being just another typical crime drama.
• The suspense & pacing of the episodes keep the audience on their toes & build anticipation for the next episode.
• The overall visual quality is far superior to that of many shows & has a cinematic quality usually associated with films of a psychological thriller with extreme stakes.

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Negative Points

• Some ancillary characters are given less development than those of the main characters.
• Certain situations are predictable for those who have seen La Mante.
• Emotional flashbacks tend to slow down the investigation.
• A few of the lines are overacted, thereby detracting from the excitement of the moment.

Overall: Mrs. Deshpande is a gripping psychological thriller, by Madhuri Dixit's fearless performance and Kukunoor's maturity as a good storytelling. While there are minor pacing issues throughout, it is still a compelling watch and combines crime, emotion, and suspense to create an experience worth seeing. It is a must-see for any thriller fan or fan of Madhuri's work.