The story opens inside a women’s prison, where Dixit’s character is introduced not as a star but as a quietly disciplined inmate known as Zeenat. She rises before dawn, follows a rigid exercise routine, and moves through prison life with mechanical precision. Among fellow inmates, she is respected for her culinary skills, cooking with the confidence of someone who has mastered survival within confinement. Yet behind her calm exterior lies a secret that the series soon reveals: Zeenat is, in fact, Mrs. Deshpande, a convicted serial killer whose crimes once followed a distinctive and chilling pattern.
Co-written and directed by Kukunoor, the series opts for an understated entry for Dixit, deliberately stripping away any overt dramatics. While the title suggests intrigue and flair, the narrative remains largely subdued. This tonal restraint, intended to build suspense, often comes across as overly convenient and unimaginative, particularly for a story centered on a serial killer whose methods are meant to be psychologically complex.
The plot gains momentum when a fresh set of murders surfaces outside the prison, each eerily replicating Mrs. Deshpande’s signature modus operandi. Senior police officer Arun, played by Priyanshu Chatterjee, is tasked with investigating the crimes. Recognizing the unsettling similarities, Arun enlists the help of Mrs. Deshpande herself, hoping her insight can lead them to the copycat killer. To manage the sensitive collaboration, Arun assigns a dedicated officer, Tejas, portrayed by Siddharth Chandekar, to work closely with her and trace the source of the new killings.
As the investigation progresses, the series follows the uneasy dynamic between law enforcement and a convicted murderer, but it rarely moves beyond familiar genre conventions. The storytelling remains muted, searching for depth but often settling for surface-level tension. While Dixit maintains a stoic presence throughout, her character is given limited emotional or psychological range to explore, making the central mystery feel more procedural than provocative.
In the end, Mrs. Deshpande stands as a restrained attempt at crime storytelling that relies heavily on its lead actor’s gravitas rather than narrative innovation. Despite a compelling setup and experienced cast, the series struggles to rise above its dated execution, underscoring the challenge of reinventing familiar thriller tropes for contemporary audiences.
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