Mrs. Deshpande: A Disappointing Drag That Wastes Madhuri Dixit’s Potential on JioHotstar

Released on December 19, 2025, as a Hotstar Specials original on JioHotstar, Mrs. Deshpande is Nagesh Kukunoor’s six-episode Hindi adaptation of the 2017 French miniseries La Mante (The Mantis). Starring Madhuri Dixit as a convicted serial killer enlisted to catch a copycat, the show promised a dark, psychological thriller with a Bollywood icon in a de-glam, menacing role. Instead, it delivers a sluggish, melodramatic slog that feels more like an overextended daily soap than a gripping crime drama. Despite Dixit’s committed performance, the series is bogged down by poor pacing, uninspired writing, and a supporting cast that fails to elevate the material—making it a frustrating watch that’s rarely entertaining.

Plot and Premise: A Promising Setup Squandered

The story follows Seema Deshpande (Madhuri Dixit), a former homemaker imprisoned for 25 years after murdering eight people in Pune. When identical killings resurface in Mumbai—complete with her signature style (green rope, posed bodies, open eyes)—police commissioner Arun Khatri (Priyanshu Chatterjee) seeks her help. She agrees, but only if she collaborates with ACP Tejas Phadke (Siddharth Chandekar), her estranged son. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game laced with family drama, moral ambiguity, and supposed twists.

On paper, it’s intriguing: a vigilante killer turned consultant, exploring themes of justice, motherhood, and manipulation. But the execution falters badly. The narrative drags through repetitive interrogations, predictable revelations, and plot holes that defy logic (like lax security around a dangerous inmate). Twists feel forced, and the resolution prioritizes emotional melodrama over genuine suspense. As adaptations go, it softens the French original’s edge, adding Indian family sentiment that often veers into soap-opera territory.

Performances: Madhuri Shines, But the Rest Disappoint

Madhuri Dixit is the sole saving grace. Shedding her glamorous image, she delivers a restrained, enigmatic performance—her subtle smiles and piercing stares convey quiet menace effectively. It’s a bold choice for the star, and she brings depth to scenes of inner conflict and manipulation. Many agree this is her strongest acting in years, proving her versatility beyond dance numbers.

Unfortunately, the supporting cast doesn’t match her. Siddharth Chandekar is stiff as the conflicted son-cop, Priyanshu Chatterjee is serviceable but forgettable, and others feel underdeveloped or overly theatrical. The ensemble lacks chemistry, making emotional beats fall flat and amplifying the show’s melodramatic flaws.

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Direction, Writing, and Technicals: Mediocre at Best

Nagesh Kukunoor, fresh off the acclaimed The Hunt: The Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Case, disappoints here. His direction aims for atmospheric slow-burn but results in deliberate dryness that bores rather than builds unease. Cinematography captures Mumbai’s grit adequately, and the score adds some mood, but it’s all undermined by clunky writing (co-credited to Kukunoor and Rohit Banawlikar). Dialogues are on-the-nose, explanations overly hand-holding, and the pacing is excruciating—six episodes feel bloated with filler.

Compared to sharper Indian thrillers like Dahaad or international benchmarks, this feels sanitized and uninventive, prioritizing star power over substance.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Pros:

• Madhuri Dixit’s compelling, layered performance—easily the highlight and worth sampling clips for.
• A few intriguing twists in the later episodes for those who stick it out.
• Decent production values for an OTT original.

Cons:

• Excruciatingly slow pacing that turns it into a dragwatch.
• Melodramatic storytelling with weak suspense and logical lapses.
• Underwhelming supporting cast and derivative plot that celebrates mediocrity.
• Fails to explore the psychological depth its premise demands

Final Verdict

Mrs. Deshpande is a missed opportunity—a killer concept trapped in familiar, tired tropes. Madhuri Dixit tries hard, but the bad storytelling, uneven acting from the cast, and overall lack of thrills make it not entertaining at all. You’re not alone in finding it a slog; many reviews echo your sentiments, labeling it disappointing, boring, and more off than on. On a scale of 10, it’s a generous 4/10—skip it unless you’re a die-hard Madhuri fan curious about her dark side. For better serial-killer thrillers, revisit the original La Mante or try something snappier like Asur. Streaming on JioHotstar, but your time might be better spent elsewhere.

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