A trend that has gained more attention from viewers in the Indian OTT landscape over the last three to four years is that, despite the strong promise of Indian web shows, most of them have either fallen flat or managed to impress audiences only to a certain extent. However, there is one department in which they have been excelling consistently, and that’s acting. The latest Hotstar Special, Mrs Deshpande, led by Madhuri Dixit, is the newest epitome of this scenario.
Streaming on JioHotstar, this Indian adaptation of the French hit La Mante proves that even when a script falters, an outstanding performance can carry an entire show on its shoulders.
The series follows Seema Deshpande (Dixit), a notorious serial killer who has spent twenty years in solitary confinement. Her signature? Strangling her victims with green nylon rope and posing them in front of mirrors. When a copycat killer begins mimicking her gruesome methods, the police are forced to ask for her help.
Madhuri’s character agrees, but with a chilling condition: she will only speak to the lead investigator, Tejas Phadke (Siddharth Chandekar), the estranged son she hasn’t seen since her arrest.
Viewers have pointed out plenty of issues with the show, including slow pacing in the early episodes, flat dialogue, and predictable twists. Despite these grievances, social media is flooded with praise for Madhuri Dixit’s performance. For a superstar known for her radiant smile and “Dhak Dhak” charm, Mrs Deshpande is a radical departure.
Dixit delivers a calm yet chilling and menacing performance as the leading protagonist. She portrays Seema not as a monster, but as a vigilante who targets societal predators, making the audience feel an uncomfortable urge to root for her.
While Mrs Deshpande, overall, has received a highly polarised response from viewers, they are unanimous in praising Madhuri Dixit’s work. The series might not be the perfect thriller, but it is a perfect showcase for a veteran actress refusing to play it safe. It is a slow-burning character study that rewards patient viewers with a gripping finale and a performance that reminds everyone why Madhuri Dixit remains a timeless icon of Indian cinema.
Here’s how people have reacted to Dixit’s work in Mrs Deshpande.