Mandala Murders: A Portal to Elsewhere, Where Imagination Reigns

So I just binged Mandala Murders on Netflix, and I have to say, it’s not like the usual Indian web series or movies we’ve been getting lately. You know how so many shows these days feel like they’re trying to shove some big social or political message down your throat? Like, every other film is waving a flag for feminism or caste issues or whatever. I understand that cinema could potentially be used to convey social messages, but sometimes I just would like to switch off the real world and get lost somewhere else. That’s where Mandala Murders comes in, and man, it’s such a breath of fresh air.

This show isn’t based on a true story—it’s spun from a fiction book (The Butcher of Benaras by Mahendra Jakhar)—and it doesn’t pretend to be some deep commentary on life. Instead, it’s pure, unfiltered entertainment, the kind that takes you back to those ’90s Bollywood flicks where Govinda and Karishma Kapoor were dancing in dreamy Swiss valleys, far away from the daily grind. Remember how those movies let you escape, even if your life was a mess? Mandala Murders does that. It plops you into this made-up place called Charandaspur—a dusty, creepy town with dark forests and weird cults—and for a few hours, you’re not thinking about bills or news or anything real. It’s just you, some wild murders, and a mystery that feels like it’s from another world.

The story’s got this cool setup, like a puzzle with layers. There’s the big main plot: two cops, Rea and Vikram, chasing down a freaky cult called the Aayastis who’re doing some messed-up killings to build a god or something, something that has to do with particle physics. But what I loved is how the show sneaks in these little side stories about the characters. Like, Vikram’s got this whole thing about his missing mother that breaks your heart, and Rea’s carrying some heavy past trauma that makes her feel so real. It’s quite similar to those Western shows—think Stranger Things, Dark or The Wire—where you’ve got one big mystery but also these mini-tales that make you care about everyone. It’s smart storytelling, and it pulls you in deep.

Only thing is, I wish they’d slowed it down a bit. The episodes are, like, 35 minutes (average), but this kind of story needed more room to breathe—maybe 45 minutes or even an hour each. Sometimes it felt like they were rushing to cram everything in, especially in the middle when the cult stuff gets super wild. A little more detail on the ‘Yantra‘, the instrument they had build would have been nice. The decode of the messages could have been a little more elaborate. It’s not a deal-breaker, but I kept thinking, “what’s the rush?” Instead of eight episodes, it could have been ten episodes!!

Now, let’s talk about the actors, because they’re what make this show pop. Surveen Chawla as Ananya Bhardwaj? Wow. I saw her in Criminal Justice Season 4 and thought she was great, but here, she’s next-level. She’s got this intense, almost scary energy, like she’s not just acting but becoming this cult-obsessed character. Then there’s Vaibhav Raj Gupta, who you might know as the sweet guy from Gullak. I legit didn’t recognize him at first as Vikram—he’s all brooding and tough, carrying this quiet pain that hits you hard. And Jameel Khan as Jimmy Khan? Total scene-stealer. He’s this quirky codebreaker guy who pops up and makes you smile every time. These three make Charandaspur feel alive, like you could bump into them on those dusty streets. Vani Kapoor as Rhea, I would say the weaker link when compared to others.

Look, Mandala Murders isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s the kind of show that reminds me why I love watching stuff—to get away, to imagine, to just feel something different. It’s not here to lecture you or fix the world. It’s here to take you somewhere else, somewhere dark and strange and awesome. So, grab some popcorn, turn off your phone, and let this series whisk you away for a bit. Trust me, it’s worth it. Binge Watch!!

Watch the trailer here: