Murderbaad: A gripping mix of emotion, thrill, and mystery
The climax will shake you to the core
Rating: 3.5 stars
You’ll be surprised to learn that Murderbaad, released this week, has been written, directed, and produced by Arnab Chatterjee, who began working on the script at the young age of 14. He started shooting the film last year when he turned 18. For this movie, Arnab directed veteran actors like Anjan Srivastava and Amol Gupte—both over 60—as well as seasoned performer Manish Chaudhary, across several outdoor locations in Rajasthan and West Bengal.
During the media screening of the film, Arnab specially flew in from Kolkata to Delhi to attend the post-show critics’ interaction at the luxury Delight Diamond Cinema. His passion reflects the potential to see his name among top Bollywood directors in the future.
In an exclusive conversation, Arnab shared that he began making short films at the age of 8, which eventually led him to create a feature like Murderbaad. He added that instead of building a set in a studio, he opted to shoot entirely on real locations—from multiple outdoor spots and a palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan, to several areas in New Jalpaiguri.
In my view, this film presents disturbing and grotesque visuals that may be hard to watch—but they are vital to the narrative and essential to the script.
The story grips you with a sense of inquiry. A group of tourists from different cities—including a tourist from London—is staying at a hotel in Jaipur. The tour guide and bus driver are also staying with them. Suddenly, one of the tourists goes missing.
Set against the eerie but serene backdrop of a heritage palace-turned-hotel in Rajasthan, this mystery thriller leads you through murder, the horrifying truths of a postmortem house, and even to a cremation ground. The climax will leave you shaken.
As the story unfolds around the disappearance of a tourist from the hotel, it soon reveals dark secrets and a horrifying face of a deeply disturbed young man, which will leave you stunned.
Overall
What begins as a film filled with romance, emotional depth, and mystery, soon takes a dangerous turn—pulling you into a maze that’s hard to escape. Director Arnab initially struggles with maintaining a strong grip on the narrative and characters, but post-interval, the film holds you tightly in your seat.
Arnab has managed to extract commendable performances from both experienced actors and fresh faces. The pairing of Nakul Sahdev and Kanika Kapoor works well, though both still have much to learn to sustain a long career in the film industry.
The climax takes an unexpected turn with a Bangla-language background that plays a crucial role in the storyline. We won’t reveal the climax—you’ll have to visit the theatre for that. However, it’s worth noting that the film may not align well with family audiences, but those looking for something fresh and thrilling will certainly appreciate it.
Cast: Shakir Hashmi, Nakul Roshan Sahdev, Kanika Kapoor, Manish Chaudhary, Amol Gupte, Masood Akhtar, Saloni Batra
Producer, Writer, Director: Arnab Chatterjee
Censor Certificate: UA
Duration: 143 minutes
