Mandala Murders Series Review: A Gripping Yet Flawed Indian Crime Thriller on Netflix

Mandala Murders: A Bold Premise with High Stakes

The Indian OTT landscape has been buzzing with crime thrillers, but Mandala Murders stands out for its unique fusion of folklore, occult practices and modern police procedural elements. Set against the backdrop of the eerie fog-laden town of Charandaspur, the series kicks off with a gruesome murder that sets the tone for its dark narrative. The Aayastis a cult with roots in the 1950s orchestrate ritualistic killings to assemble body parts for Yast a man-made god inspired by ancient Indian spirituality and the Vitruvian Man. The murders follow a mandala pattern a spiritual symbol twisted into a blueprint for slaughter adding layers of intrigue to the investigation.

The series stars Vaani Kapoor as CIB officer Rea Thomas a determined detective haunted by her grandmother’s past and Vaibhav Raj Gupta as Vikram Singh a suspended cop with personal ties to the cult. Supporting performances by Surveen Chawla, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Raghubir Yadav and Jameel Khan add depth to the ensemble. With its atmospheric world-building and ambitious themes Mandala Murders promises a thrilling ride but struggles to balance its complex narrative.

A Tangled Web of Mystery and Mythology

Mandala Murders begins with a bang introducing viewers to the haunting town of Charandaspur where a series of brutal murders shocks the community. Each victim is chosen for specific body parts meticulously arranged in a mandala pattern as part of the Aayastis’ ritual to create Yast. The narrative alternates between the present-day investigation and 1950s flashbacks revealing the cult’s origins through Rukmini Devi (Shriya Pilgaonkar) its founder and Rea’s grandmother who opposed the cult’s sinister mission.

Rea and Vikram’s investigation uncovers chilling conspiracies from political intrigue led by Ananya Bhardwaj (Surveen Chawla) to personal betrayals tied to their own histories. The series explores themes of faith caste patriarchy and moral ambiguity weaving a complex web that draws viewers in. However the plot’s ambition becomes its Achilles’ heel. With multiple arcs characters and timeline shifts the narrative often feels convoluted especially in the middle episodes where heavy exposition slows the pace. Critics have noted that the series only gains momentum by episode seven making it a slow-burn thriller that demands patience.

The finale set in underground chambers delivers a climactic showdown where Rea disrupts the final ritual but the cult’s lingering influence hints at a potential second season. While the resolution ties up some threads it leaves others dangling, creating a mix of catharsis and frustration. For viewers who enjoy lore-heavy thrillers Mandala Murders offers a rich tapestry but its complexity may alienate casual audiences.

A Mixed Bag of Brilliance and Inconsistency

The cast of Mandala Murders is one of its strongest assets with standout performances elevating the uneven narrative. Vaani Kapoor makes a commanding OTT debut as Rea Thomas bringing quiet authority and emotional depth to the role. Her action sequences particularly a gripping bridge scene and a child-rescue mission showcase her versatility though some critics have noted inconsistencies in her performance. Vaibhav Raj Gupta as Vikram Singh delivers a heartfelt portrayal of a cop grappling with personal loss and family secrets. His emotional depth shines in quieter moments though he occasionally struggles with the script’s demands.

Surveen Chawla steals the show as Ananya Bhardwaj a politically powerful antagonist driven by her grandmother’s legacy. Her chilling intensity and nuanced portrayal make Ananya a compelling villain especially in the climactic sequences. Shriya Pilgaonkar in a limited but pivotal role as Rukmini Devi leaves a lasting impression while veterans like Raghubir Yadav and Jameel Khan add gravitas and wit. Supporting actors like Sharat Sonu and Manu Rishi Chadha also shine though some subplots feel underdeveloped due to the crowded narrative.

Cinematography and Atmosphere: A Visual Feast

Visually Mandala Murders is a triumph. Cinematographer Shaz Mohammed crafts a brooding, gothic atmosphere that immerses viewers in Charandaspur’s foggy lanes and eerie Varuna Forest. The muted colour palette ritual chambers and mandala motifs create a haunting aesthetic that complements the series’ dark tone. The use of mandalas as a symbol of cosmic order twisted into a map for murder is a stroke of genius adding depth to the storytelling.

The background score while not particularly memorable supports the suspense effectively. The directors Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat, excel at building mood making every crime scene feel like a page from a gothic novel. However, some sci-fi elements like a thumb-sacrifice machine, feel out of place clashing with the series’ otherwise grounded tone.

Mandala Murders ambitiously tackles themes of faith, betrayal, caste, patriarchy and systemic apathy weaving them into a crime thriller framework. The mandala traditionally a symbol of harmony becomes a chilling metaphor for chaos and control reflecting the cult’s warped ideology. The series also explores the clash between ancient spirituality and modern science with the Aayastis’ rituals blending mysticism with pseudo-scientific experiments.

However the show’s attempt to juggle multiple themes often dilutes its impact. Subplots addressing caste and patriarchy feel underdeveloped overshadowed by the dense mythology. The narrative’s reliance on metaphorical storytelling sometimes sacrifices clarity leaving viewers confused by the interplay of fantasy and reality. While the series’ ambition is admirable a tighter focus could have made its socio-political commentary more impactful.

Mandala Murders Series Review: A Gripping Yet Flawed Indian Crime Thriller on Netflix

Mandala Murders a 2025 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller, premiered on Netflix on July 25, 2025, captivating audiences with its dark blend of mystery, mythology and psychological drama. Created by Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat this eight-episode series based on The Butcher of Benaraz by Mahendra Jakhar is set in the fictional town of Charandaspur, Uttar Pradesh. It follows detectives Rea Thomas (Vaani Kapoor) and Vikram Singh (Vaibhav Raj Gupta) as they investigate ritualistic murders tied to the Aayastis cult aiming to resurrect a god-like entity Yast.

A Chilling Premise with Deep Roots

Mandala Murders dives into a haunting narrative where brutal murders in Charandaspur follow a mandala pattern symbolizing the Aayastis’ quest to create Yast using human body parts. The series blends crime investigation with occult horror alternating between present-day events and 1950s flashbacks. It explores themes of faith, betrayal, caste and patriarchy offering a rich but complex storyline. The eerie setting and ritualistic killings make it a unique addition to Indian OTT content appealing to fans of lore-heavy thrillers.

Ambitious but Overloaded

The story begins with a gruesome murder drawing Rea and Vikram into a web of conspiracies involving political figure Ananya Bhardwaj (Surveen Chawla). Flashbacks reveal the cult’s origins through Rukmini Devi (Shriya Pilgaonkar) and Rea’s grandmother adding depth but complicating the narrative. The series’ ambition juggling multiple arcs and timelines leads to uneven pacing with the middle episodes sagging under heavy exposition. The climactic showdown in underground chambers is gripping though some loose ends persist hinting at a potential second season.

A Stellar Cast with Mixed Execution

Vaani Kapoor shines in her OTT debut as Rea delivering intensity in action scenes though her performance wavers at times. Vaibhav Raj Gupta brings emotional depth to Vikram a cop haunted by loss while Surveen Chawla’s commanding portrayal of Ananya steals the spotlight. Shriya Pilgaonkar, Raghubir Yadav and Jameel Khan add gravitas but some supporting roles feel underused due to the crowded plot.

Visuals and Atmosphere: A Gothic Triumph

Cinematographer Shaz Mohammed crafts a brooding gothic aesthetic with foggy lanes mandala motifs and muted tones enhancing the series’ eerie vibe. The Varuna Forest and ritual chambers feel immersive though some sci-fi props clash with the tone. The background score supports the suspense but isn’t memorable.

Themes: Bold but Overstretched

The series tackles faith, caste and patriarchy using the mandala as a metaphor for chaos and control. The Aayastis’ blend of spirituality and pseudo-science is unsettling but the show’s many themes dilute its focus. Subplots on social issues feel underdeveloped and the mix of mythology and science can feel jarring.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths: Stunning visuals strong performances (especially Chawla’s) and a bold premise make Mandala Murders a compelling watch for thriller fans.
Weaknesses: Convoluted storytelling uneven pacing and excessive exposition may test viewers’ patience. Recaps before episodes could have helped.

Why Watch Mandala Murders?

If you enjoy slow-burn thrillers with rich mythology and atmospheric settings Mandala Murders is worth a watch. Its flaws complexity and pacing issues are offset by its ambition and visual appeal. Available on Netflix it’s a one-time watch for those who don’t mind untangling a knotty narrative.