The Great Indian Murder, out now on Disney+ Hotstar, is an adaptation of a maddeningly ambitious novel. It’s based in parts on Vikas Swarup’s 2008 whodunnit Six Suspects, which, through its six titular suspects, comments on virtually everything under the sun. Class, politics, indigenous, nationalists, spoiled elite, the unprivileged, and Gandhian principles – you name it, Swarup’s book attempts to tackle it. Not all of these make it to The Great Indian Murder, but as you can tell from the refashioned grandiose title, the new Hotstar Specials series, directed and co-written by Tigmanshu Dhulia, is no less audacious.
The story telling is nuanced with insightful commentary on the Indian business as well as the political class. The writers have added some new elements and made changes from the original novel and those changes have made the story little gripping and fast paced in parts. Tigmanshu Dhulia has done a great job with the direction.
The screenplay is nuanced and the commentary is delightful, but is a little on the slower side. The editing along with the cinematography could have been a little better for a show this grand. The Great Indian Murder opts for an unnecessary and unbelievable last minute twist that does nothing to add to the story, but exists purely to leave the audience guessing (and hanging). It’s a plot twist for plot twist’s sake.
This show is all about the huge cast, and some brilliant performances. Performances are the pillars on which this show stands tall. Jatin Goswami as Vicky Rai is a great choice, and will make you hate him. Shashank Arora and PR Mani plays the best characters, and makes you feel bad for them. But the two of my favourites from the show are Pratik Gandhi as the CBI officer and raghubir yadav as the hilarious IAS officer, they just tear apart every scene they are in. Richa Chaddaa, Ashutosh Rana and Sharib Hashmi also give good performances. Paoli Dam and Amey Wagh have small screentime, but are very impactful.
All in all, this is not your regular fast paced murder mystery, neither it will make you intrigued. Look out for the different angles of the commentary, and the performances. Recommended !
My ratings – 7.8 / 10
Filmy Ladka 
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