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All actors deliver commendable performances, making the characters feel real and engaging. The screenplay is smooth, backed by impressive cinematography and good direction. Although the plot feels somewhat predictable and similar to past thrillers, it still holds attention. A decent one-time watch.gr.

Vaani Kapoor is such a bad actor that I was rooting for the bad guys to win. Everyone else has done a good job.

Looks like there will be a part two. A Desi Stranger things Mandala Murders is an ambitious thriller. It blends myth and crime with good visuals, but its convoluted plot and uneven pacing can be a bit boring. Worth a watch for occult mystery fans.

I am giving this series a rating of 6 only because of the character selection. None of the actors show seriousness while investigating the crimes. The main characters, especially Vaani Kapoor, delivered very poor performances. The character responsible for decoding the codes also comes across as unintentionally funny. The only actor whose performance was up to the mark is Surveen Chawla.

Mandala Murders" is a thrilling and well-crafted crime series that dives deep into the dark world of ritual killings and psychological twists. The storyline is gripping, filled with suspense, and keeps you guessing till the end. Strong performances, especially by the lead cast, add depth to the narrative. The visuals and background score enhance the eerie atmosphere. It's a perfect watch for fans of intense mysteries and crime dramas. Definitely one of the better Indian thrillers in recent times.

It's indeed a great story and the show is stunning. Don't go by the negative reviews as they are not authentic. This show each episode keeps you engaged and is surely a fresh new concept. The lighting and the vibe of the show is great, the actors have done a good job. At the end of each epsiode you will be desperate to find what happens in the next.

Mandala Murders is not just another crime thriller-it's an experience. From the opening sequence to the final frame, the show grips you with its layered narrative, stunning visuals, and haunting score. The gritty realism, clever screenplay, and psychological depth make it a standout in the Indian OTT landscape.

The performances are stellar. The lead actor brings a perfect blend of vulnerability and intensity, while the antagonist is chilling without resorting to clichés. Each episode peels back the layers of trauma, corruption, and human depravity without losing narrative momentum.

What sets Mandala Murders apart is its atmospheric storytelling-echoes of True Detective and Suzhal, but with a unique Indian ethos. The cultural symbolism and mythological undertones enrich the plot without being overbearing.

Minor flaws exist-pacing dips slightly in the middle episodes-but the payoff is worth it. If you're a fan of intelligent thrillers that make you think, this series deserves your time.

Highly recommended for viewers who appreciate smart, slow-burn mysteries with emotional weight.

I like this, if you're looking for a fresh sci fi concept based thriller that takes one step ahead, Mandala Murder will clench your thirst. I have to say that I don't like Vani kapoor as a cop here, she's trying very hard to be badass ass, the stunt looks cool and all, but that's it, she has a flat expression throughout the series; maybe due to excessive botox on the forehead, I couldn't keep my eyes of it.

Surveen Chawal is pure gem, what a beauty, lovely acting, big brother from Gullak "Vaibhav Raj" has grown up, dude is fantastic here. Direction and setting is awesome, the story is tightly packed and not a single screen time is wasted.

The only problem I have here is they have used fake town name, fake investigation agency and etc, and I don't get this logic. Surprisingly, forensic team is also less involved. Maybe they can fix this in season 2.

I promise this initially looked like a Asur kind of 10/10 series but it is somewhat satisfying. Nice try.

I should really appreciate the fact that creators thought of doing something different but it could not be depicted on the screen. The screenplay was plagued with same old sequences of borrowed lores from different places. A mystery that never really gives a satisfaction of unfolding, a suspense that hardly is a surprise, a poetic ending that a bit too easy and character arches that hardly have any depth at all. The show tries to become too much at the same time opening so many narratives that are not even necessary. Apart from a few sequences that Vani could do justice to the whole series looks like a collage of cameos with amazingly average and out-of-place casting. I really wished the show could have been what I was hoping it to be, but it's just sad to see that despite having good stories we are so bad at the execution.

I am hopeful we will get to watch a better one next time.

Mandala Murders (2025) : Series Review -

Mandala Murders is an ambitious and compelling attempt to blend science, police procedural, and mystical horror into a dark and gripping thriller. Spanning eight tightly packed episodes and over five hours of runtime, the series takes viewers on a suspenseful ride that never loses momentum. At its core, it's a battle between reason and belief, between logic and legend-set against the backdrop of a terrifying myth called Yast (a monster). If you're willing to suspend disbelief and give in to the power of an ancient supernatural force, Mandala Murders delivers an experience that's more than just entertaining-it's haunting. Based on The Butcher of Benaraz, the series uses its source material to create a world that's eerie, fantastical, and disturbingly plausible. Each episode ends with a slight twist or misconception that keeps the viewer engaged and guessing, making it binge-worthy in the truest sense. The creators skillfully sprinkle just enough misdirection to keep curiosity piqued without ever overwhelming the narrative.

The story kicks off with a peculiar murder that bears a strange symbol. As more murders unfold, it becomes clear that they are all linked-each victim is killed for a specific body part. These ritualistic killings are part of a sinister process meant to culminate in the creation of a monstrous entity, a Frankenstein-like being powered not just by science but also by black magic and religious fanaticism. The entity, Yast, is believed to be a dark god whose birth will signal the end of the world as we know it. CIB Officer Rea Thomas (Vaani Kapoor) is assigned to investigate these bizarre deaths. She is joined by a disgraced Delhi cop, Vikram (Vaibhav Raj Gupta), who also has a person interest in the case. The duo embarks on a journey that takes them deep into the heart of ancient cults, forgotten rituals, black magic, and a world where beliefs can be deadlier than bullets.

Surveen Chawla plays Ananya Bhardwaj, a powerful political figure who influences the course of the investigation. She immediately points fingers at a pair of local brothers, accusing them of committing the first murder. But as the narrative unfolds, it becomes evident that nothing is as it seems, and almost every character is entangled in the deadly prophecy. The idea that eight specific murders must occur-each claiming a different body part-is chilling and symbolic. This Frankenstein-esque concept, while rooted in horror and myth, is treated with seriousness and sincerity, making it eerily believable.

The world of Mandala Murders is meticulously constructed. Avinash Dwivedi, Chirag Garg, and others create an atmosphere steeped in tension, history, and fear. The dark caves, mysterious yantras (mystical machines), cryptic symbols, and ancient texts are all designed to immerse you in a realm where the line between the real and the unreal is blurred. It almost feels like watching Veerana or Purana Mandir mixed with Frankestein-but with a modern update and a far more intelligent script.

One of the show's biggest strengths is that every character has a purpose. None of them feel redundant, and each one contributes meaningfully to the unraveling mystery. This cohesion in character writing is rare in ensemble thrillers. The finale may be somewhat predictable, especially for seasoned web series fans, but it still manages to pack a punch. As the pieces of the puzzle come together-past traumas, scientific experiments, supernatural legends-the payoff is satisfying.

Vaani Kapoor shines in her action-heavy role as Rea Thomas. While she falters a bit in emotionally intense scenes, she makes up for it with her physicality and screen presence. In her own words, this may not be War (2019), but it certainly gives her a War-like action palette. She kicks ass when needed and commands the frame well. Surveen Chawla, on the other hand, is exceptional. Her portrayal of Ananya is layered, nuanced, and powerful-a career-best performance that adds gravitas to the narrative. Vaibhav Raj Gupta is rock-solid as Vikram, bringing intensity and needed frustration to his role. His rugged physics will likely win over a new fan base, especially among female viewers. Shriya Pilgaonkar delivers a standout performance as Rukmini, and her costume design deserves a special mention-it's both beautiful and haunting. Aditi Pohankar slips into a Tomb Raider-like mode with ease, bringing flair and confidence. Sukhiya Aiyar, Raghubeer Yadav, and Jameel Khan all deliver impressive performances, while Saurabh Dubey's makeup and dialogue delivery enhance the horror element. Sharat Sonu blends seamlessly into the ensemble, helping elevate the entire acting unit. The rest of cast only adds more weight to it.

On the technical front, Mandala Murders punches above its weight. Despite having a moderate budget, the production values are commendable. The art direction, especially the depiction of sacred caves, blood-soaked rituals, intricate machines, and cultish set pieces, is on point. The cinematography does its job effectively, though it doesn't quite reach the haunting elegance one might expect from a show of this genre. It's functional, but not visionary. One noticeable weak link is the background score. A show like Mandala Murders, which leans so heavily on tension and atmosphere, could have greatly benefited from a chilling and memorable soundtrack. The absence of an impactful score leaves some scenes feeling flatter than they should. On the other hand, the editing is slick and maintains a fast pace throughout, which helps retain the viewer's engagement. The dialogues are straightforward-sometimes too on-the-nose-but given the genre, subtlety isn't always necessary.

Directors Gopi Puthran and Manan Rawat deserve applause for staying true to the vision. They don't just present a murder mystery-they invite the audience into a world where science, faith, and fear coexist. The seamless weaving of modern police work with ancient occult practices is no easy feat, but they manage it with finesse. The ending leans slightly towards preachiness, but nothing that derails the overall experience. Ultimately, Mandala Murders may divide opinions. Some may question the belief systems it portrays or the liberties it takes with logic and realism. But as a fictional crime thriller dipped in supernatural horror, it works quite well. It's not groundbreaking or flawless, but it's certainly a cut above the usual fare in Indian web series. For those who enjoy fictionally mystical thrillers, cult mysteries, and horror-laced investigations, Mandala Murders is worth the ride. It's dark, imaginative, and just believable enough for the time being.

RATING - 6/10*

YRF returns with another gripping series, this time diving into a storyline that's both thrilling and touched with supernatural elements.

To be honest, the concept is unique and incredibly engaging. The way the story unfolds episode by episode keeps the momentum alive and heightens the curiosity as the mystery deepens. The opening is strong and sets the tone well, maintaining pace across the 8 episodes. However, the climax does fall short-it becomes a bit predictable and underwhelming after such a solid buildup.

That said, the originality of the storyline, especially with its blend of suspense, mystery, and supernatural intrigue, still makes it a worthwhile watch.

Direction is solid, with the creators successfully sustaining engagement until the very end (climax aside). The screenplay is tight and keeps you hooked throughout. Visually, the series is very well shot-cinematography and color grading stand out-and the background score complements the tension and energy of the plot perfectly.

Performance-wise, the entire cast delivers, but the standout for me is Surveen Chawla. She completely owns her role, with sharp dialogue delivery and a powerful screen presence. Vaani Kapoor also does well, carrying her character convincingly, alongside a strong supporting cast.

Overall, Mandala Murders (S01) is a unique, suspenseful, and visually strong series with a supernatural twist. If not for its slightly disappointing climax, it could have been a top-tier thriller. Still, it sets up Season 2 with enough intrigue to keep viewers curious.

Rating: 7/5.

The series is engaging overall, but Vaani Kapoor's poor acting pulls it down. She couldn't deliver convincing emotions, relying on the same expression throughout, which ends up irritating a lot of viewers.

The directions is very good, keeps viewers engaged all the time A must watch series, I presume people have voted less for this series only because of Vani Kapoor's acting.

YRF arrives with a web series, a Frankenstein's Monster-esque idea, Mandala Murders.

Enjoyable, fast paced and interesting. Already looking forward to S2!

S1 ended, but not at a cliffhanger...a personal thank you for that!

Vaani Kapoor and her unharnessed prowess will speak so much more when the show is back! Also, really enjoyed her hand to hand combat sequence!

Vaibhav Singh Gupta is powerful.

Surveen Chawla is, as always, absolutely on point.

Jameel Khan and Shriya Pilgaonkar, wish to see more of them on the show.

The show is well made, keeping you on the endge to find out what Avast's are all about. Each character is casted so well. Vaani and Rea, Surveen & Vaibhav have done an excellent job. One of the better thrillers to have come out on Indian Show landscape/. Each episode keeps you hooked, to get closer to knowing the whole truth about the Avasti's. The PTSD that ea deals with and finally overcomes was a beautfil scene, to show Vaani breakdown with relife finally! She has shown such a range. An absolute must watch.

Mandala Murders is an intriguing horror-suspense series that keeps you engaged throughout most episodes. The plot is impressively woven, with several characters linked into the narrative with great detail. In today's oversaturated web series landscape, it's rare to find a thriller that maintains genuine suspense. The writing team appears to have worked diligently to layer multiple subplots within the main storyline, retaining narrative tension until the end and tying all loose ends to perfection.

Although inspired by classic 1960s films from the Frankenstein Murders series, especially Curse of Frankenstein (which the series duly acknowledges-a nice gesture), it successfully adapts these ideas to an Indian context. While similar stories exist in Indian folklore, Mandala Murders feels fresh in this format.

On the downside, the story occasionally feels dragged out with repetitive murders that can exhaust viewers. The narrative sometimes seems endless, with Jameel Khan's character conveniently analyzing clues exactly when the plot requires it. His investigative insights appear and disappear as the story demands, which feels contrived. Unfortunately, this convenience-driven plotting seems common in contemporary web series. Nevertheless, it remains engaging if you can overlook these pacing issues.

Performance-wise, there's noticeable inconsistency among the cast. Some actors deliver with varying quality compared to others and even compared to their own previous scenes. The seasoned veterans-Raghuveer Yadav and Jameel Khan-bring authentic gravitas to their roles. Surveen Chawla leaves a distinct impression that makes you anticipate her appearances, despite her relatively shorter but significant role. However, lead actress Vani Kapoor's performance fluctuates-convincing at times, less so at others.

Another jarring inconsistency involves the dialogue. The mixed language approach undermines the rustic atmosphere. Why would a 1960s village woman speak flawless English with a contemporary metropolitan accent? When writers couldn't express emotions effectively in Hindi, they took the easy route of switching to English, creating an anachronistic effect that feels completely out of place.

Despite these flaws, Mandala Murders is worth watching for its strong, suspenseful storytelling and atmospheric tension.

Hindi film and TV industry is notorious for overselling a success mantra. In recent times, some of the other series which are based on the backdrop of small towns in Hindi belt have done exceptionally well.

However, what the makers of this series fail to understand is that the reason why those other series are so appreciated is because of their authenticity, tight direction, character development and excellent screenplay.

Mandala Murders on the other hand seems to be a very third rate attempt at just putting ingredients like small town, action, mysticism and some good actors together and hoping that it would turn into a good dish somehow.

The characters aren't developed well and a cheap substitute for character development is an abruptly concocted backstory.

Vani Kapoor is as ineffective in this series as she has been in all her previous failed ventures. Gym is not the only place where she should be spending time. Once in a while, she should work on her acting skills too.

Other well known and good actors have been fully and utterly wasted in this series.

Some may point out flaws-the plot is dense, the pacing swings between brisk and sluggish, and narrative threads occasionally meander in pursuit of clarity But far from putting me off, these complexities only added to the show's rich, labyrinthine allure. I found myself drawn deeper by the unfolding mysteries and symbolic layers.

The finale, while somewhat ambiguous, sets up a tantalizing tease for Season 2-Rea's determination to pursue the truth, and the reactivation of the Aayast Yantra, leaves an unforgettable chill.

A gruesome cult thriller that starts strong with terrifying early episodes but quickly falls into a predictable, formulaic rhythm. Great visuals and setting carry it, though the story loses steam as it goes on.

Story Summary: The series follows a string of cult murders with religious undertones. The first episodes set a chilling tone, but as the narrative unfolds, the structure becomes repetitive, each new chapter focusing on one body part or ritual, making the plot feel increasingly stretched and predictable.

Analysis: While the premise and production are strong, the formulaic structure weakens the impact. If the creators had woven story-building with varied pacing, sometimes doubling down on horror and sometimes letting characters breathe, the show would have landed harder. The religious elements and cult setting are surprisingly well executed, and overall it remains watchable, but not a must.

Dialogue (8/10): Tense and well-paced, the dialogue supports the atmosphere effectively, though it does not always push characters deeper once the formula takes over.

Acting (7/10 overall): Performances are solid, with Vikram's actor standing out as especially convincing. The main female lead, while serviceable, feels a bit like a weaker imitation of a star actress and does not carry as much weight. Supporting roles vary but mostly deliver what the script requires.

Visuals (10/10): The strongest aspect. The dark tone, settings, and cult visuals are executed brilliantly, creating a haunting atmosphere that makes the series gripping even when the story lags.

Costume & Makeup (8/10): Authentic and immersive, enhancing the cult environment and giving the murders a gruesome but believable edge.

Special Effects (7.5/10): Effective but inconsistent. At times realistic and chilling, at other times unconvincing or unclear in execution.

Music (7.5/10): Ambient and supportive, complementing the tension well, but nothing that stands out as memorable.

Anything Else (Original Story, Liberties, etc.): The story concept is original and well produced, but the decision to lean on a strict formula, one ritual or body part per episode, hurts its long-term impact. A more varied narrative approach could have made the finale as gripping as the beginning.

Overall Assessment (7/10): Not a series I would strongly recommend, but if you stumble upon it, you might find it worth finishing. It starts with excellent promise but gradually loses its edge, saved mainly by its visuals and setting.

End Word: A chilling idea held back by repetition, gripping in the beginning but not a lasting standout.

The first few episodes start really well and tries to build curiously despite the weak acting and then tanks it. Too many characters seem to be more of a force fit than adding any real value to the story. Vaani tried for sure but sadly couldn't deliver anything worthy. The whole plot line was very shoddy and doesn't deserve 8 hours of your time.

It's a great show with a new and interesting story. It keeps you hooked from the beginning and doesn't feel boring at all. Most of the actors have done a very good job and made the show fun to watch.

But the main problem is Vaani Kapoor, who plays the lead role. Her acting was very poor and did not match the level of the other actors. She looked emotionless in many scenes and didn't fit well in such an important role. Because of this, many people didn't rate the show as high as it could have been. If her acting was better, the show could have easily been rated 8 or 9 out of 10.

The ending of the show was also a bit weak compared to the rest of the story. It didn't match the excitement built up during the show.

Overall, the show is worth watching because of the new concept and strong performances by most of the cast. But if there's a season 2, I hope the makers either replace Vaani Kapoor or help her improve her acting. The show deserves a better lead actor.