Manvat Murders

Manvat Murders" is a Marathi-language crime thriller series that brings to life one of India's most shocking true crime cases from 1972. The show revolves around the brutal murders of seven women in the town of Manvat, an event that shook the entire nation. As local law enforcement struggled to make progress, Special Crime Branch officer Ramakant Kulkarni took charge of the investigation, peeling back layers of superstition, ignorance, and fear that gripped the community.

The story is set against the backdrop of a deeply conservative and uneducated rural India, where superstition and blind faith ran rampant. Through the eyes of Officer Kulkarni, viewers witness how these factors not only misled the investigation but also trapped innocent people in a cycle of suspicion and fear. The series explores how social dynamics and cultural ignorance made the case even more complex, as Kulkarni uncovers deeply buried secrets and motives.

What makes the series worth watching is its portrayal of the investigation process in a time when modern forensic techniques were largely unavailable. Kulkarni's methodical approach highlights both the limitations and determination of law enforcement during the era. While the case might appear straightforward to modern viewers, given the abundance of crime-solving tools we are now familiar with, the show successfully portrays the challenges Kulkarni faced in unraveling the mystery within a deeply flawed and misinformed community.

However, the series does fall short in terms of engagement and pacing. While the real-life story has plenty of potential for suspense and drama, the execution lacks the necessary tension to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. As the series progresses, it becomes relatively easy for the audience to guess the identity of the culprit, which weakens the impact of the final reveal. The director could have capitalized more on creating a sense of mystery and uncertainty, possibly adding more psychological depth to the characters and their motives.

Despite these shortcomings, "Manvat Murders" excels in its atmospheric depiction of rural India, immersing the audience in the socio-cultural challenges of the time. The series does well to shed light on the widespread issues of superstition and ignorance, which were, and still are, prevalent in many parts of India. This serves as a reminder of how far the country has come in terms of education and scientific reasoning, but also how much work remains to be done.

The cinematography and music composition further enhance the eerie mood of the show, with tense soundtracks accentuating the moments of discovery and conflict. Special mention must be made of Nitin Desai's production design, which transports viewers back to 1970s Maharashtra, adding authenticity to the series.

Overall, "Manvat Murders" may not be a gripping thriller for all, but it is certainly a thought-provoking and educational drama that highlights important social issues. For those interested in true crime stories with a touch of cultural commentary, this series offers an insightful perspective. However, for viewers seeking intense suspense or unexpected twists, the show might fall a little short of expectations.

Final Verdict: While the story has significant historical and cultural value, the predictable plot and lack of tension may hinder its appeal to some audiences. My personal rating stands at 6 out of 10, mainly due to the missed opportunity for more engaging storytelling and character development.

Nonetheless, "Manvat Murders" is a solid watch for those interested in true crime, Indian history, and the psychological impact of superstition on justice.

Manvat murders has top notch acting and direction but story is repetitive and predictable. No need of 8 episodes as it can be finish in 3 episodes. Unnecessary story stretch happened in all 8 episodes. Nothing suspense and aweful. Disappointing wrt to story. Ashutosh gowarikar and Makrand Anaspure and few police characters has drive this story. There should be another actress for Sonali's character as she doesn't deliver to the mark. Sai tamhankar character is confused and just a link between murderers and police. Marathi industry has good potential but the storyline wasted the potential in the manvat murders.

"No two murders are ever alike. And that is why every murder investigation needs to be handled differently." The opening sequence was enough to create a spark of excitement and the makers successfully carried forward the same level of excitement throughout the episodes. This is one the best murder investigation series that you will watch. It doesn't have unnecessary commercial elements and forced tail ends sequences. It sticks very true to the seriousness of the issue. Overall a decent murder mystery with a classy making and amazing performance from the lead actors especially Ashutosh Gowariker. Don't miss out this!

What a series this was. Surprisingly the makers didn't hold back on the violence and the gore which was a good thing. The BGM was quite eerie and hauntingly beautiful. In some instances you'll feel the scenes are a little stretched but it's fine given the original screenplay the viewers had the pleasure to watch. The only huge negative aspect of the series was the casting of Ashutosh Gowariker as the CID officer who investigates these murders. Don't get me wrong he is a decent actor. But I don't get the logic of casting a 60 year old man for a middle aged man. Also the makeup done on him was horrible to say the least. The role required an intense aura throughout in which Ashutosh fails miserably. Given the plethora of acting talent in the Marathi cinema, they would've gone for someone who actually fits the role. Sai Tamhankar and Sonali Kulkarni have given their career best performance.

It is good to see that storytelling has taken a centerstage in this mini series

Director takes his own time to take you through the lives of characters to make one understand why they behave in certain way There is a time and social gap between the characters and the viewers Director has done well to close this Occasionally portrayal the underbelly of village black magic makes one feel uneasy There is absolutely no relief that the viewer gets and there is a constant depressive feeling yet i kept watching on

I liked Ashutosh Gowarikar calm portrayal of police investigator

Makarand , Saai and Sonali spot on.

Well Done.