Manoj Bajpayee stands out in unusual murder mystery

ZEE5 has had so many misfires with original movies across the past year that you could be forgiven for missing this surprisingly good thriller which premiered recently on the streaming site.

Although the story starts off predictably enough with a high-profile killing and the victim’s father seeking justice, it gradually evolves into something more unique. What follows is a maverick police officer trying to solve the murder mystery and a series of unexpected twists which lead to a powerful finale. To reveal anything more would do a disservice to the storyline.

The songless movie is more like an international thriller than a conventional masala-driven Bollywood potboiler. It starts off relatively slowly, but soon picks pace and offers up an engaging storyline that will keep viewers guessing.

At the heart of the action is award-winning actor Manoj Bajpayee, who is on fine form and elevates the material to a higher level. He breathes fire into each scene with his expressive face, explosive presence and rousing dialogues. The rest of the cast deliver spirited performances, but they are not able to match the brilliance of Bajpayee.

On the downside side, there are some unnecessary scenes and the film is probably around 20 minutes too long. It is also apparent that it hasn’t been made on a very high budget, so looks more like a TV drama. Those who get engrossed in the murder mystery won’t mind that and will appreciate what the story is trying to do. This is an accomplished feature film debut from writer-director Aban Bharucha Deohans, and a good start to what is likely to be an interesting career.

Overall, this thriller is a lot better than the odd title would suggest and is worth checking out, if only for Manoj Bajpayee’s marvellous performance.