What Is the Story About?
Three generations of the Bhatia family (from grandmother to granddaughter) are hanging from the roof simultaneously. Did they commit suicide, or were they killed?
The police investigate the gruesome and harrowing deaths. Their revelation and a potential motive form the core narrative of the docu-series House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths .
Analysis
Leena Yadav and Anubhav Chopra direct House Of Secrets: The Burari Deaths. The story itself is a gripping one from the start. All they had to do was make it engaging, which they succeeded largely.
If anyone has followed the real-life events of the mysterious deaths of eleven members of the same family, there is nothing new that the docuseries offers. However, to those who haven’t either followed or heard about the shocking incident, House Of Secrets: The Burari Deaths is an instant attention grabber.
Within few minutes of the opening episode, one is drawn into the narrative. The most significant reason for that is the shocking and harrowing crime scene. Eleven bodies hanging from the roof of an old building in a congested area, and the image signifying that of a banyan tree, instantly sucks one in.
We are then introduced to the family and the background in the first episode. The core hook of the mini-series is presented slowly – did the family commit suicide, or were they a murder. The reasons are initially titled in the latter’s (murder) side conveniently, though. But, that is also part of a neat screenplay that unravels the mystery slowly.
By the end of the first episode, it is clear that there is no outsider involved or if it’s a murder. The second one then peels the layers of the family, their history and the inner psychology. A couple of moments towards the end after a constant build-up indeed give us a goosebumps feeling.
The revelation of the family patriarch and the subsequent takeover by Lalit (his son) and their control and hold on the family are well documented. It shows the impact the head of a family has on the rest well.
The journey (or growth) of Lalit as the head and later the psychological aspects are well engagingly narrated. It is the best part of the series and sets up for something huge.
However, the ending doesn’t really hit the right note for all the build-up that precedes it. The exciting bits are passed over in simple layman terms, and the rest of the narrative is filled with drama. It is needless melodrama after all that has happened before. The entire tone changes in the end with a message about mental wellness being thrown in, in equal measures. The message is acceptable, but the drama could have been shortened.
The fact that after all that happens, the reality behind the incident, the motive is still not clear, is another minor disappointment. The lack of clarity with murder or suicide adds to it.
Overall, all said and done, House Of Secrets: The Burrari Deaths is still must watch for the story it picks. It is sure to grab attention if one has not heard about the deaths before. Give this docuseries if you like to see something real and gritty, but be warned of disturbing revelations.
Music and Other Departments?
Along with his young ensemble of musicians via Qutub-E-Kripa, AR Rahman composes the background score for House Of Secrets: The Burrari Deaths. It is superb, on the whole, but a few portions are sure to give goosebumps, for sure. The cinematography is standard fare, but it is the editing that shines. It is excellently done with not much lag.
Highlights?
Basic Story
First Two Episodes
BGM
Editing
Drawbacks?
Melodramatic End
Ambiguity On Crime
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, Engaged Mostly
Will You Recommend It?
Yes
House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths Review by Binged Bureau
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