Jumping into Mrs. Deshpande feels like sitting down with a promise: legendary star Madhuri Dixit in a role you’ve never seen her in before — and for the most part, that promise delivers. This isn’t your usual OTT thriller with flashy CGI and breakneck pacing. Instead, it’s brooding, psychological, and built on mood rather than moments of pure spectacle.
At its core, the show is an Indian adaptation of the French series La Mante — a convicted serial killer brought in by the police to help track a copycat murderer. Right away, that setup gives you the sense that this won’t be light viewing. And it isn’t. It’s sloooow, atmospheric, and deliberately dry in tone — which will be either its biggest strength or its worst flaw depending on what you’re in the mood for.
Madhuri Dixit? Absolutely the reason to watch.
Seeing Madhuri shed her usual glamour and step into the shoes of Seema Deshpande is fascinating. She carries a lot of this series on her presence alone — quiet menace, restraint, that piercing gaze that keeps you invested even when the plot drifts. She turns what could have been a cliché “serial killer” into someone more layered and unpredictable.
But here’s the flip side:
If you’re looking for a taut, nail‑biting procedural, you might get frustrated. A chunk of the episodes drags — pacing is inconsistent and it sometimes feels like tension is anticipated more than earned. Supporting characters don’t always land — a few feel underwritten or oddly stiff — and a couple of twists aren’t as clever as they want to be.
That said, not everything here is doom and gloom. A lot of viewers appreciate that it doesn’t pander to typical OTT thriller tropes — it’s moody, introspective, and has moments where its slow build actually works in its favor. For fans of character‑driven crime dramas, there’s enough here to keep you watching all six episodes.
Final take?
Think of Mrs. Deshpande more like a psychological experiment than a binge‑fest. It’s fascinating to watch Madhuri take on this darkness, and the show rewards patience. Just don’t expect a flawless, fast‑paced ride — it’s uneven, a bit overstuffed at times, and definitely polarizing depending on your taste. If you like your thrillers thoughtful and atmospheric, it’s worth a shot; if you’re after pure adrenaline, maybe temper your expectations.
