Mandala Murders, Rangeen, Fool Volume and Adults

The Hindu

4 days ago

First things first — have you cried watching Saiyaara yet? If not, watch the video episode of this column on YouTube to find out if the hype is real. Meanwhile, two new shows are battling for your weekend-binge time: Netflix's bizarre mystery Mandala Murders, and Prime Video's funny, irreverent Rangeen, about a journalist who becomes a gigolo.
You already know which one you want to see first, but let's take a closer look.
In two minds
The body count goes up, with every episode, in both the shows… in entirely different contexts.
Mandala Murders is promising on paper — ritualistic killings tied to a secret cult where science meets superstition — but this YRF show, starring Vaani Kapoor, never quite becomes the gripping puzzle-box it wants to be. There's some world-building, mythology-spanning timelines and decent performances, but storytelling only finds rhythm in the final episodes. This isn't in the league of the best in the genre — Lost, or even Dark. It's more of a 'could've been' than a 'must-watch'. A small step in the right direction for Indian genre storytelling, but not the leap it could've been.
On the other hand, Rangeen, is exactly what it promises — and more. A journalist finds out his wife cheated on him with a gigolo, and instead of moping, he moonlights as one himself. This silly plot point sets the tone for a sex comedy, which it is not just about sex (the verb), but also about sex (the noun), as it dives deep into masculinity, intimacy and modern relationships. Vineet Kumar Singh leads a fine ensemble that includes Rajshri Deshpande and Sheeba Chaddha. The show never gets vulgar, instead trusts the viewer to fill in the blanks around the sex. Refreshingly devoid of male gaze, the show explores female desire and agency, gender dynamics, and the comedy of midlife crisis. Think Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper, but deeper, more honest, and refreshingly real. This one's TV gold.
Comic timing
Vir Das's new Netflix special, Fool Volume, finds him in full command of his voice — after literally losing it just six weeks before his global tour. Cutting between shows in London, Mumbai and New York, the special is part stand-up, part love letter to the art of finding humour in bad times. Vir isn't aiming for easy laughs — he wants you to think, and then laugh. And he doesn't let the audience off easy either. It's sharp, personal, and proof that he's no longer just telling jokes — he's telling stories with punchlines. Don't miss the catchy 'Life is vertical' roast of Gen Z and the big 'drop' at the end.
Decoding Gen Z
Speaking of Gen Z, I'm loving the Gen Z variants and spin on comfort stories. My friend and fellow critic Raja Sen recommended Adults to me with a pitch that it's the Gen Z iteration of what Friends was for Gen X or what How I Met Your Mother was for millennials — the sitcom about a close circle of friends. What's different? No filters. No boundaries. No hard feelings.
Adults mines uncomfortable and awkward situations for comedy, maintaining an 'it's so real, but we are also low-key exaggerating' vibe — often to remind you this is just a sitcom about all kinds of situationships. With just eight, 25-minute episodes, this is a quick, breezy binge of under four hours. Streaming on Jiostar. Perfect for an evening with your closest friends — and situationships.
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