It’s not every day that Indian filmmakers cast leading Bollywood women as serial killers in mainstream thrillers. So when Mrs. Deshpande brings Madhuri Dixit to the screen in the chilling avatar of a murderer, it instantly grabs attention. The trailer promised a gritty descent into the world of crime, psychology and mind games, but does the series truly live up to that promise? Read our Mrs. Deshpande web series review to know.

Mrs. Deshpande review: The plot

The series opens on a disturbing note with the murder of rising actor Vishal Malhotra. What initially appears to be a standalone crime soon takes a darker turn when the police uncover a pattern. This isn’t just any murder; it’s the third in a string of killings that mirror a series of eight murders committed 25 years ago in Pune by a serial killer known as Mrs Deshpande. Commissioner of Police Arun connects the dots and realises that the crimes are near-perfect replicas of the original murders. Naturally, suspicion falls on Mrs Deshpande herself, who is now living under the name Zeenat in a Hyderabad prison. But the case takes an unexpected turn when she offers to help the police catch the copycat killer.

Trusting her perhaps a little too much, the police commissioner temporarily releases Mrs Deshpande to assist in the investigation. What follows is a tense game of deception and manipulation, where every smile feels loaded and every confession questionable. And then begins the cat and mouse game of who did it, who didn’t, and why.

What we loved about Mrs. Deshpande

As promised by the trailer, Madhuri Dixit does not disappoint. Her portrayal of Mrs Deshpande is quietly menacing. She can appear nurturing one moment and deeply unsettling the next. A simple smile while cooking feels sinister enough to hint at dark intentions, yet innocent enough to keep you second-guessing her motives. Madhuri as a serial killer is a transformation that feels both bold and brilliant. The supporting cast, including Siddharth Chandekar, Priyanshu Chatterjee and Kavin Dave, deliver solid performances and hold their ground alongside Dixit’s commanding presence.

What truly sets the series apart is its psychological approach to crime. Instead of relying on gore or graphic violence, the makers focus on the mental make-up of a killer. Long silences, unsettling pauses, and subtle expressions carry more weight than explicit crime scenes. While the core premise isn’t entirely new, placing a woman at the centre of this narrative is. Mrs Deshpande isn’t a one-note villain; she’s layered, strategic, and deeply complex. Importantly, the character isn’t glamorised or sexualised, which is a rarity when women are portrayed as criminals on screen. This grounded portrayal gives the familiar trope a refreshingly mature twist.

What we didn’t love about the series

Despite its strong performances and intriguing premise, Mrs. Deshpande doesn’t fully stick the landing. The biggest drawback is its uneven pacing. What could have been a taut, edge-of-the-seat thriller often drags, causing the tension to fizzle rather than build. The slowness doesn’t always translate into suspense; in fact, at times, it simply becomes frustrating. The series also suffers from excessive exposition. Twists and revelations are repeatedly explained to the audience, leaving little room for interpretation. Instead of trusting viewers to connect the dots, the narrative explains itself over and over again, which dulls the impact of key moments. While the cast performs well, many characters, especially in the supporting cast, remain underdeveloped. Their motivations feel vague, making it difficult to emotionally invest in their actions. The show introduces compelling themes but doesn’t explore them deeply enough, leaving you with the lingering sense of a missed opportunity.

Overall, if you live for crime thrillers and how they make you sit on the edge of your seat, Mrs. Deshpande might not be for you. However, if you are looking for a lighter but gripping watch, add this web series to your watchlist.

Can you watch Mrs. Deshpande with your family? The series portrays some intimate scenes and uses explicit language occasionally.

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