Mandala Murders Season 1 Review: Vaani Kapoor and Vaibhav Raj Gupta impress in a twisty, myth-laden murder mystery

Time of India

25-07-2025

Story: In the eerie town of Charandaspur, brutal murders shake the community. CIB agent Rea Thomas (Vaani Kapoor) and suspended cop Vikram Singh (Vaibhav Raj Gupta) team up to uncover the dark truth. As they dig deeper, chilling conspiracies emerge—will they survive the sinister secrets lurking beneath?
Review: Mandala Murders, as the name suggests, is a fusion of ancient and modern—the 'Mandala,' a geometric configuration of symbols rooted in age-old spiritual practices, and a series of contemporary murders eerily linked to it. Created by Gopi Puthran (of Mardaani fame) and co-directed with Manan Rawat, the series attempts to weave mythology, crime, and psychological thriller tropes into one dense, atmospheric narrative. Anchored by a chilling premise—ritualistic murders tied to an ancient secret society, the series offers a slow-burn, lore-heavy experience that blends past and present timelines with eerie conviction. But in its ambition to say too much, it occasionally loses its sharpest edge.
The show opens in 1950s Charandaspur (somewhere in UP), where a failed ritual by Rukmini (Shriya Pilgaonkar) hints at the disturbing roots of what is to come. Cut to 2025, suspended Delhi cop Vikram Singh (Vaibhav Raj Gupta) relocates with his father to this very town, only to stumble upon a brutal murder that connects to his own haunted past. Enter CIB officer Rea Thomas (Vaani Kapoor), calm, determined, and sharp, who teams up with Vikram and local SHO Pramod (Sharat Sonu). What follows is a disturbing trail of cryptic symbols, hidden motives, and mythological conspiracies that test their logic, faith, and emotional resolve.
YRF Entertainment's production values are top-notch. Shaz Mohammed's cinematography captures both timelines—1950s and 2025—with striking authenticity. From fog-draped forests and eerie tunnels to shadowy interiors and ritualistic iconography, the series excels in crafting a foreboding, immersive mood. The haunting score by Sanchit and Ankit Balhara further elevates the tension without ever overpowering the scenes.
Performance-wise, Vaani Kapoor makes a compelling OTT debut as Rea Thomas—measured, intense, and impressively physical in her action scenes. Her character's line, Yeh case jitna seedha lagta hai, utna hai nahi... there's gotta be something more to it,' perfectly captures the show's central mystery. Vaibhav Raj Gupta breaks from his Gullak mould to portray a man tormented by grief and anger. Surveen Chawla stands out as Ananya Bharadwaj, a local politician whose vulnerability and steel are both rendered with compelling nuance. No spoiler ahead! But Surveen simply shines in the climactic sequences, as does Shriya Pilgaonkar in limited but pivotal role, while Jameel Khan adds a touch of wit and intrigue as Jimmy Khan. Sharat Sonu as SHO Pramod and Vikram's only friend is convincing and so is Manu Rishi as Vikram's father.
Yet, the writing team—Gabe Gabriel, Matt Graham, Abinash Dwivedi, Chirag Garg, and Puthran himself—falters in keeping the narrative streamlined. The series juggles multiple arcs and characters—some more effective than others—and the constant timeline shifts may test your patience and attention. The dense lore can feel overwhelming, and certain subplots, while thematically interesting, bloat the overall pacing. The middle episodes especially sag under the weight of exposition.
Despite these narrative hiccups, Mandala Murders remains a compelling watch. It doesn't revolutionise the crime thriller genre, but it carves its niche by grounding murder and mystery in ritual and belief. The cliffhanger ending suggests a deeper conspiracy still to unfold—setting up anticipation for a potential second season.
A grim and mythologically rich thriller that occasionally buckles under its own ambition but is held together by strong performances, haunting visuals, and an engrossing central mystery.