‘Murder Mubarak’: The ‘Edge of the Seat’ Thriller Keeps You Guessing Till the Very End
- Pankaj Tripathi keeps his cards close to his chest, until the last scene when they all fall into place like a Hercule Poirot closing scene.
“Murder Mubarak,” directed by Homi Adajania and produced by Dinesh Vijan is a Hindi-language mystery thriller that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. I am glad the director did not use Anuja Chauhan’s novel name “Club You To Death,” for the movie because it would have been a “dead giveaway.”
Released on Netflix on March 15, 2024, the film presents a quirky ensemble cast led by the inimitable Pankaj Tripathi, a glamorous South Delhi socialite Sara Ali Khan, and an inscrutable Vijay Varma as Sara’s friend Kaashi/Akash, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor as Ranvijay Singh in interesting roles, with Deven Bhojani as a feckless Club manager delivering powerful performances that enhance the not so ‘mubarak” motive of the murder.
Set in an exclusive and “ludicrous” Royal Delhi Club, a clever satire on the proponents of the British Raj and the ‘not so royal’ jumble of hoity-toity club members the story starts like a comedy sequence. Which would have been more enjoyable to watch as a dramedy but “Murder Mubarak” rapidly morphs into a murder mystery with a macabre murder of the club’s fitness coach, Leo (Aashim Gulati), prompting ACP Bhavani Singh, portrayed brilliantly by a rather pensive, and mild-mannered Pankaj Tripathi in civil clothes, to lead the investigation.
As ACP questions the members and the employees of the club, random clues and whimsical musical messages emerge and suspicions rise. The plot thickens like the mushy beetroot concoction from the club’s kitchen revealing decades-old secrets, a web of pretenses, and hidden motives lurking within the club’s hoi-polloi.
Sara Ali Khan suits the role of “the devil may care” Bambi Todi, or Bambiji as ACP Bhavani Singh calls her a complex character whose histrionic personality, kleptomaniac habits, tangled relationships, and buried secrets come to light as the investigation progresses. Vijay Varma delivers a nuanced performance as Kaashi/Aakash Dogra, adding layers to his character’s mysterious persona.
The pace of the film, 142 minutes long, remains brisk with good editing. “Murder Mubarak” has good dialogue and engaging storytelling, the director keeps viewers guessing until the very end, delivering an unpredictable twist that leaves a lasting impact.
Pankaj Tripathi keeps his cards close to his chest, until the last scene when they all fall into place like a Hercule Poirot closing scene. The music by Sachin-Jigar complements the mood of the film, with tracks like “Yaad Aave” and “Bhola Bhala Baby” adding to the theme of mystery. Whether you’re a mystery buff or simply looking for a well-made movie with a cinematic flair, “Murder Mubarak” is good to stream on Netflix.
With one foot in Huntsville, Alabama, the other in her birth home India, and a heart steeped in humanity, writing is a contemplative practice for Monita Soni. She has published hundreds of poems, movie reviews, book critiques, and essays and contributed to combined literary works. Her two books are My Light Reflections and Flow through My Heart. You can hear her commentaries on Sundial Writers Corner WLRH 89.3FM.