The film’s red herrings and Varun Mitra history received less screen time, but Murder Mubarak as a miniseries would have explored the plot extensively. The film is fascinating and a must-see for mystery fans.
By the end of the film, any comparisons to The White Lotus and the Knives Out franchise had faded. Murder Mubarak isn’t simply about wealthy people socialising at a colonial country club. It’s a self-aware parody that finally gets the mark.
The film begins with what appears to be a pretentious introduction of high-society personalities, each with monikers designed to serve as shorthand for character characteristics. Karisma Kapoor plays a movie actress whose stardom has faded, similar to Raveena Tandon’s recent role in Karmma Calling. Ashim Gulati and Suhail Nayyar, who costarred in Jee Karda, are also involved in this movie. The ensemble cast also includes character actors Brijendra Kala, Tisca Chopra, Deven Bhojani, and the flamboyant Pankaj Tripathi.
However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when Vijay Varma’s character breaks the fourth wall to challenge the audience’s original assumptions. Director Homi Adajania expertly exploits the Rashomon effect, resulting in a compelling story that fluidly transitions between several realities.
Karisma Kapoor’s comeback to the screen is visually stunning, and the film’s refusal to overemphasise any single character adds to its appeal. Karisma’s portrayal of a B-grade performer with a mystery past, combined with Sanjay Kapoor’s portrayal of a proud but flawed raja, provides dimension to the plot.
The film’s emphasis on the murder mystery is expertly done, and even if the audience solves the mystery halfway through, the picture stays fascinating. The screenplay maintains a lighthearted tone while expertly handling the genre’s complexity. However, there are times when the language falls short, striving to illustrate apparent arguments with excessive refinement, such as the lengthy tirade about communism and class criticism.
Despite these minor problems, Murder Mubarak is an excellent translation of Anuja Chauhan’s novel “Club You to Death.” Sara Ali Khan’s portrayal of an urbane persona is striking, and the writing delves skillfully into the nuances of Vijay Varma’s character.
The Verdict
While the film’s red herrings and backstory concerning Varun Mitra may have received less screen time, Murder Mubarak as a miniseries would have allowed for a more in-depth examination of the plot. Nonetheless, the film is certainly engaging and a must-see for aficionados of the mystery genre.
[imdb show=”transparent” data=”detailed”]tt27028399[/imdb]
