Murder Mubarak, directed by Homi Adajania and streaming on Netflix since March 2024, adapts Anuja Chauhan’s Club You to Death. Despite a glittering ensemble cast and visual flair, the film struggles with excessive quirks and narrative clutter. This Murder Mubarak Movie Review dives into plot, performances, strengths, weaknesses, and viewer response.
What Is Murder Mubarak About? – Murder Mubarak Movie Review
Set in the exclusive Royal Delhi Club, the film stars ACP Bhavani Singh (Pankaj Tripathi), called to investigate the murder of Leo Mathews, a personal trainer connected to wealthy patrons. As he interrogates club members—ranging from socialites to aristocrats—a web of entitlement, façade, and scandal emerges. The mystery forms a commentary on privilege and hypocrisy, wrapped in whodunit theatrics and signature Adajania satire.
Murder Mubarak Movie Review – Cast & Key Performances
- Pankaj Tripathi (ACP Bhavani Singh) brings gravitas and subtle dry humor to his detective role. Critics consistently cite him as the film’s emotional core amid the chaos.
- Sara Ali Khan (Bambi Todi) plays a young widow who launches her own investigation parallel to Singh’s. Her performance is inconsistent, swinging between effective and forced.
- Vijay Varma (Aakash Dogra) offers a subtle and calm presence but remains underutilized in the storyline.
- Karisma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Tisca Chopra, Brijendra Kala form the supporting ensemble—each offers memorable color but few rise above caricature territory.
Direction & Screenplay – Murder Mubarak Movie Review
Homi Adajania’s Stylized Vision
Adajania attempts a quirky, society-skewering murder mystery filled with eccentric characters and ironic humor. Visually, the film stands out, but the screenplay suffers from tonal swings and narrative clutter.
Screenplay & Editing Pitfalls
Adapted from Anuja Chauhan’s novel, the script juggles over a dozen characters and subplots. Critics highlight a disjointed edit and narrative drift, with scenes feeling more like a compressed mini-series than a cohesive film.
What Works in Murder Mubarak
- Pankaj Tripathi’s Poise – His measured performance elevates every scene; his detective persona references Poirot-style intelligence with local flair.
- Production & Styling – Lavish sets, costumes, and cinematography evoke wealth and privilege effectively, offering visual engagement even when the plot slows down.
- Satirical Spark – When the film leans into its satire on class and elite hypocrisy, it occasionally hits comedic gold.
What Doesn’t Work in Murder Mubarak
- Excessive Ensemble & Flattened Characters – The large suspect pool leads to shallow arcs and confusion.
- Inconsistent Tone & Overediting – Scenes shift wildly between slapstick quirk, dark satire, and melodrama, which weakens the emotional impact.
- Lengthy Runtime Without Payoff – At nearly 2½ hours, the story overstays its welcome and dilutes suspense.
- Miscast Lead Performance – Sara Ali Khan’s portrayal received criticism for being unnatural in key moments, which undermines engagement.
Audience & Reddit Reactions
Viewers on Reddit and OTT discussion boards were divided:
“Stellar cast wasted… plot was predictable.”
“Editing was all over the place; it felt like a mini-series trimmed into a movie.”
“Pankaj Tripathi is the only reason to watch.”
The consensus: great concept and visual polish, but bloated execution and patchy acting make it a mixed experience.
Final Verdict – Murder Mubarak Movie Review
Murder Mubarak sets out with ambition—a stylized murder mystery rooted in satire and prestige. Pankaj Tripathi shines, and production design offers visual interest. However, the overloaded script, inconsistent pacing, and misplaced tone leave it less engaging than intended. The film works best as occasional whimsy rather than meaty mystery.
Should You Watch Murder Mubarak?
- ✅ Yes, if you appreciate character-driven, dialogue-heavy whodunits and strong central performance from Pankaj Tripathi.
- ❌ Maybe skip, if you expect tighter plotting, emotional clarity, or well-utilized ensemble arcs.
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