Crime thrillers have long found a place on Indian streaming platforms, but Netflix’s Mandala Murders attempts something more than just a police-procedural whodunit. Created by Gopi Puthran, the mind behind Mardaani 2, this series merges a layered crime investigation with mythology, cult ideologies, and philosophical questions about society and violence. The result? A bold yet complex web series that tries to mix commercial drama with deeper psychological storytelling.
Let’s break down the show across its plot, performances, direction, and finally share the verdict—without giving away key spoilers.
Mandala Murders takes place in the made up town of Charandaspur in northern India. The series opens with a set of ritual killings that look planned and deliberate. The victims are found in a pattern that points away from ordinary crime and toward something ritualistic. The killings start a police investigation that slowly uncovers a long buried belief system and a group trying to make a dangerous idea real.
The two officers who lead the inquiry are Rea Thomas, a federal law officer, and Vikram Singh, a local cop with a troubled past. Rea arrives because the case has strange elements that interest an investigator who covers serious crimes. Vikram returns to his home turf after a long absence and finds that the town keeps secrets and old wounds. As the pair follow clues, they meet people connected to an old cult called the Aayastis. That group believes in building a super human being named Yast by joining selected body parts in a pattern that copies a mandala. The cult thinks this act will bring balance and power, but it comes at a terrible human cost.
The story moves between the present investigation and flashbacks that reveal how the cult formed and how its ideas survived across decades. The show unfolds across eight episodes, each roughly forty to fifty minutes long. The series asks the viewer to hold several threads at once. It does not explain everything quickly. Instead it uses memory, local legend, and scientific language to link personal losses to collective violence.
I will avoid major spoilers here. The main arc follows how the detectives uncover the cult network, connect the murders to a plan that reaches back in time, and try to stop a final ritual. The ending leaves some questions open, which signals that the creators want room for a second season or for the audience to keep thinking about the meaning of what happened. Coverage of the ending and its implications can be found in detailed reviews and explained pieces.
Characters and performances
Vaani Kapoor plays Rea Thomas. This role asks her to be smart, focused, and emotionally complex. She must balance the cool reasoning of an investigator with the private pain of someone whose life has been touched by this case. Her work here is measured and serious and marks her first major role in a long form series on a streaming platform.
Vaibhav Raj Gupta plays Vikram Singh. His character carries local history and personal losses. Vikram is not a simple sidekick. He brings memory, regret, and a local’s knowledge that proves vital. Vaibhav gives a quieter, inward performance that helps the show keep a human center when the ideas grow large.
The supporting cast adds texture and local color. Shriya Pilgaonkar plays a figure who ties the present crimes to an earlier era. Surveen Chawla appears in a role that complicates the connection between politics and belief. Raghubir Yadav and other seasoned actors bring grit and local detail. The ensemble approach means many characters matter to the plot, and most of them get short but clear arcs that explain their choices. The cast list and credits are available on official pages.
Overall the performances are a strength of the show. The actors create people who feel lived in, even when the events that surround them are strange. Some viewers may feel a few performances are underused because the story spreads attention over many roles. That is a creative choice that helps the plot feel large, but it also means no single actor carries the whole show.
Direction, writing and production
Gopi Puthran created the show and co directed it with Manan Rawat. The series is produced by YRF Entertainment and released on Netflix. The show is built to look and feel like a thriller that also opens into a myth driven world of symbols and ritual. Those production facts are confirmed on official pages.
The writing uses two main tools. The first is procedural detail, where detectives follow clues step by step. The second is mythic layering, where the series introduces symbols, old stories, and rituals that give the crimes a larger meaning. The balance between those tools determines how the show lands for each viewer. At its best, the writing makes the private pain of characters connect to bigger social and historical patterns. At its weakest, the script can feel heavy with ideas and slow in scenes that want to explain those ideas. Critics have noted both the ambition and the moments where the storytelling is dense.
Cinematography and design are important to the mood. The camera work often shows dusty lanes, dim rooms, and a textured landscape that makes the town feel real. The score is subtle and it uses silence to heighten tension instead of loud musical cues. These choices help the series feel like a slow burning thriller rather than a loud chase drama. Technical credits including cinematography and music are listed in official sources.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch Mandala Murders?
Watch it if:
- You enjoy cult-themed psychological thrillers
- You liked shows like Paatal Lok, Asur, or Sacred Games
- You want to see a bold attempt at combining mythology with crime drama
- You appreciate layered storytelling that rewards patient viewing
Skip it if:
- You prefer fast-paced thrillers with constant twists
- You dislike philosophical dialogues or abstract visuals
- You want a conclusive ending (this is part of a two-season story arc)
⭐ Overall Rating: 3.8 / 5
- Storyline: ★★★★☆
- Performances: ★★★★☆
- Direction & Visuals: ★★★★☆
- Engagement Factor: ★★★☆☆
- Rewatch Value: ★★☆☆☆