BOTTOM LINE: More Twists Than The Most Twisty Thrillers
What Is the Story About?
Netflix’s gripping new true-crime documentary series ‘The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth’ recounts the bizarre case of the murder of young and ambitious Sheena Bora, and her mother, media maven Indrani Mukerjea’s role in it. The series pieces together the realities surrounding the brutal crime through extensive one-on-one chats with several key players in the story, including with Indrani Mukerjea, the woman in the eye of the storm.
Performances?
There are no performances to talk about in The Indrani Mukerjea Story. The documentary series is largely stitched together by including one-on-one interviews with crucial stakeholders in the stranger-than-fiction case. Indrani Mukerjea herself, her youngest kid Vidhi Mukerjea, her middle-born Mikhail Bora, among others, open their hearts out to the cameras. A few bits in the narrative are acted out by faceless performers.
Analysis
Makers Uraaz Bahl and Shaana Levy have done a fantastic job with the series, as far as piecing together the exhaustive details of the case and making it edge-of-the-seat gripping go. The series is extremely well-researched and expertly compiled to make it a comprehensive, compelling watch.
Given the twist-a-minute nature of the real-life story of Indrani Mukerjea, it’s certainly a back-breaking task to touch upon almost every dark secret and sordid detail that emerged in the aftermath of the finding of Sheena Bora’s murdered remains; and to keep the whole thing crisp and taut too. The makers of the series succeed on both counts, and spectacularly at that.
Netflix’s series proves to be eye-opening for both kinds of audiences – those who know nothing about the case; and even for those who’ve diligently followed the case ever since Indrani Mukerjea was arrested in 2015 for murdering her first-born and knew every detail of it from then.
Myriad people weigh in on the case, shedding nuanced insights on it. India Today journalist Vidya, who’s covered the case from day one; prominent journalist Rajdeep Sardesai; retired cop Y P Singh; friends of Indrani Mukerjea’s second husband Sanjeev Khanna, among others, share their views on the veracity of all that’s happened in court and police investigations until now.
The most interesting chats, of course, are with four people – Vidhi Mukerjea, Mikhail Bora, Indrani Mukerjea herself, and Indrani Mukerjea’s lawyer, Ranjit Sangle. The latter is a wily fox, sharp and shrewd, capably “punching holes in the prosecution’s case” at every turn.
Indrani Mukerjea is a curious mix of belligerence and faked vulnerability. She portrays herself as a victim, taken advantage of by everyone around her. She drops shocking truth-bombs of incest, greed, rape, vulturistic tendencies, and what not, on unsuspecting viewers. How much of it is true or false, we’ll leave that for the courts to decide.
Peter Mukerjea’s version of events, in his own words, would have added heft to the series. Reportedly, he declined to be a part of the documentary.
That it’s a riveting series is a given. However, at its core is the most unpleasant thing the makers and producers India Today could do. The series tries to paint a sure-shot murder in the dubious colours of ambiguity. It tries to prove every witness in the case as an unreliable narrator – Mikhail Bora, Vidhi Mukerjea, Sheena’a step-brother and lover Rahul Mukerjea, the people who first found the body – each one’s version of the truth is debunked and twisted into an account that can’t be trusted.
All of this leaves us wondering about the purpose of the existence of the series – has it been made to whitewash the image of a woman who’s less a mother and more a monster; who abandoned her kids to quench her ambition, never acknowledged them publicly, and who’s most definitely guilty of murder? Does it exist to condone the sins of the lady and paint her as a victim of trial by media? Or does it seek to do what the lady says at the end – “justice for Indrani”?
What a stupid question, hmmm?
Music and Other Departments?
Joel Crasto’s background score is superb. It sets the perfect tone for the enthralling story that unfolds. John W. Rutland’s cinematography is inventive and impressive. The play of lights is especially terrific, giving a sinister hint to the narrative. The frequent upside down inverted shots of Mumbai city mesmerise.
Will Znidaric, Sourabh Prabhudesai, Punya Krishnan and Jan Supa’s editing is flawless. Sudeep Nigam’s writing is excellent, as are Prashant Mukherjee’s research skills. Akash Gautam’s production design is impeccable.
Highlights?
Crisp, taut and gripping
Well-researched and expertly compiled
Technical aspects are impeccable
Drawbacks?
The series tries to whitewash the image of Indrani Mukerjea, painting her as a victim of unspeakable things. It tries to absolve her of the murder, by giving a free rein to her lawyer, who talks utter crap most of the time. Which, in our opinion, is almost as heinous as the crime at the center of the narrative.
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, except for the whitewashing it undertakes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, it is definitely a must-watch. And yes, the audiences are not fools to be swayed by the whitewashing attempt.
The Indrani Mukerjea Story Review Series Review Review by Binged Bureau
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