Back in 2020, Asur set a new benchmark for Indian crime thrillers. It wasn’t just a whodunit, it was steeped in mythology, ritualistic symbolism, and a villain who felt more like an ancient force than a criminal. The show fused forensic science with philosophical horror, and the result was a slow-burn thriller that hooked audiences from the very first episode.
Now, Netflix is gearing up for the release of Mandala Murders, and the comparisons are inevitable.
The trailer opens like a crime thriller, but the tone is unmistakably darker. The murders feel deliberate, ritualistic, almost like they’re part of something larger. The bodies aren’t dumped; they’re arranged. The location choices, the markings, the silence around the killings, it’s all designed to say something. And much like Asur, that “something” might be beyond logic.
Vaani Kapoor makes her OTT debut here, playing an ex-cop drawn back into a mystery laced with religious symbolism and unsettling fate. It’s an interesting choice of role, especially considering her mainstream Bollywood image. But what truly sets Mandala Murders apart is its refusal to be loud or gimmicky. The visuals feel grounded. The storytelling promises depth. And the tone is heavy, exactly the kind of atmosphere where a mythology-tinged thriller can thrive.
There’s a growing appetite for such stories in India. Criminal Justice, Delhi Crime, and Asur have shown that audiences want more than just chases and gunfights, they want thrillers that mess with the mind, that tie today’s violence to ancient ideas.
If Mandala Murders plays its cards right, staying sharp with its writing and committed to its eerie tone, it might not just echo the success of Asur Season 1. It might open up space for a whole new wave of Indian crime thrillers that blur the line between myth and motive.
Streaming from July 25, this could be Netflix’s most promising Indian thriller in years.
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
