A mythological crime thriller from YRF Entertainment and Netflix has been released, the latest project in the partnership between the production company and the streaming service. Following The Railway Men, this collaboration presents Mandala Murders, a series that combines elements of mysticism with a police procedural format. The show features Vaani Kapoor in her first streaming series role. She is joined by an ensemble cast that includes Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Surveen Chawla, and Shriya Pilgaonkar. The series was created by Gopi Puthran, who is known for writing and directing the Mardaani film franchise. The project is part of a content strategy to produce Indian-led stories for a global audience. The involvement of Puthran and Kapoor’s streaming debut position Mandala Murders as a notable release in the streaming schedule, with a narrative described as having multiple layers.
A town shrouded in secrecy and symbolism
The narrative is set in the fictional town of Charandaspur, where a pattern of crime emerges. The plot centers on a series of killings that are presented as ritualistic and symbolic. The murders are linked to a secret society and a prophecy. The investigation leads to the discovery of a cult whose members’ actions blur the lines between faith and crime. The series uses the mandala as a structural and thematic element. The investigation is described as a web of secrets as complex as the spiritual symbol. The show’s narrative is structured to reflect the layers of a mandala, which in some traditions represents the universe and a spiritual journey. Each episode is intended to take the investigation further into the mystery. The killings represent the outer layers, with the secret society and its prophecy at the center. This structure combines the format of a crime procedural with Indian spiritual concepts. The use of mandalas, yantras, and prophecies provides a culturally specific context for the series, aiming to appeal to both local and international audiences.
The faces of the investigation and the conspiracy
The investigation is led by Detective Rea Thomas, portrayed by Vaani Kapoor. The character is an officer tasked with solving the murders. This role is a departure for Kapoor, whose previous work includes romantic comedies like Shuddh Desi Romance and Befikre, and supporting roles in action films like War. Kapoor has stated that she was looking for an opportunity to play a character with more complexity and vulnerability, different from the “tough and straight-face” archetype sometimes seen in the genre. Her performance is a central component of the series.
Partnering with Rea Thomas is Detective Vikram Singh, played by Vaibhav Raj Gupta. Gupta is known for his work in the web series Gullak. The casting of Kapoor, a mainstream Bollywood actor, alongside Gupta, an actor known for his work in streaming series, appears to be a move to appeal to different segments of the Indian entertainment audience.
The supporting cast includes Surveen Chawla and Shriya Pilgaonkar in roles described as being central to the mystery, with Chawla’s character suggested as a potential antagonist. The cast also includes veteran actors such as Raghubir Yadav, Siddhanth Kapoor, and Rahul Bagga.
The creative architecture of myth and madness
The creator and co-director of Mandala Murders is Gopi Puthran. His previous work includes the Mardaani franchise, where he was the writer for both films and the director for the sequel, Mardaani 2. That franchise focused on crimes against women and featured a female police protagonist. In Mandala Murders, Puthran applies a similar approach, with a female investigator at the center of the story, but the plot’s focus shifts from contemporary crime to a conflict rooted in mythology and faith.
Puthran has stated his goal was to create a world that feels “unknown yet grounded,” where every revealed truth has multiple layers. He has noted the importance of weaving symbolism into the narrative and creating atmospheric tension. Co-director Manan Rawat has described the series as a puzzle, with each episode adding another piece to challenge the audience’s assumptions. Rawat also commented on the lead actors’ emotional and intense performances. The project is backed by YRF Entertainment, with Aditya Chopra, Uday Chopra, Yogendra Mogre, and Akshaye Widhani listed as executive producers.
Expanding the streaming landscape
Mandala Murders is an entry in the Indian streaming market and is part of the creative partnership between Netflix and YRF Entertainment, which focuses on producing projects for a global audience. The series is described as genre-bending, mixing elements of crime, mythology, mystery, and suspense. This approach uses the familiar framework of a crime procedural while incorporating culturally specific content, such as mandalas and prophecies tied to Indian belief systems. The intent is to resonate with a domestic Indian audience while also being accessible to international viewers.
The series joins a sub-genre of Indian thrillers, like Asur, that integrate mythology into their narratives, suggesting audience interest in such stories. For Yash Raj Films, a studio with a history in theatrical cinema, this investment in a streaming series marks a move toward digital platforms, an adaptation to the current media landscape. Mandala Murders is an example of this new direction, a thriller that combines genres and aims to contribute to Indian storytelling on a global platform.
Mandala Murders premieres on July 25, only on Netflix.
