Sunday, June 29, 2025

Mistry Review: A Gripping Bollywood Mystery Thriller Recap

 

Mistry Review: A Gripping Bollywood Mystery Thriller Recap

Welcome to The Movie Time, your premier destination for spoiler-filled recaps and reviews of 2025’s cinematic gems! Today, we’re unraveling Mistry, a Bollywood mystery thriller that stormed theaters on June 27, 2025. Directed by Rohan Sippy and starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Vidya Balan, and Arjun Rampal, this Kolkata-set whodunit weaves deception, drama, and desi flair. Does it crack the case or lose the plot? Catch it in theaters, stream on Netflix soon, and join the buzz on X with #MovieTimePicks!


The Legacy of Bollywood Thrillers

Bollywood thrillers have long captivated audiences with their blend of suspense, emotion, and cultural vibrancy, from classics like Kaun (1999) to modern hits like Andhadhun (2018). Mistry, directed by Rohan Sippy (Bluffmaster), joins this lineage, offering a locked-room mystery set in Kolkata, India’s cultural capital known for its colonial architecture and Durga Puja festival—a vibrant celebration of the goddess Durga with street processions and pandals (temporary shrines). Per Filmibeat, Mistry is a standout in June 2025’s Bollywood slate, with early box office buzz rivaling War 2. Its mix of star power and twisty storytelling promises a desi thriller for the ages. Let’s dive into the mystery.

A Kolkata Whodunit: Plot Recap

Mistry follows Sameer Sharma (Ayushmann Khurrana), a quirky private detective in Kolkata with a knack for solving bizarre cases. The story kicks off when wealthy businessman Vikram Bose is found dead in his locked mansion study, a single gunshot wound to the head. The police, led by feisty Inspector Rhea (Sayani Gupta), rule it a suicide, but Vikram’s widow, Meera (Vidya Balan), hires Sameer, suspecting foul play. Prime suspects include Vikram’s shady lawyer, Arjun (Arjun Rampal), his estranged son, Rohan (Vicky Kaushal), and a loyal servant, Lakshmi (Divya Dutta).

Sameer’s investigation unfolds across Kolkata’s rain-soaked streets, from colonial mansions in Park Street to bustling Howrah Bridge. Early clues—a hidden will, a cryptic note—point to family secrets. Flashbacks reveal Meera’s abusive marriage to Vikram, whose temper and shady deals alienated his son. Sameer, with his sharp wit and love for Bengali sweets like rasgulla (a spongy dessert), charms witnesses, uncovering a staged murder. The first act builds suspense with red herrings: Arjun’s shady offshore accounts, Rohan’s drug-fueled alibi, and Lakshmi’s mysterious phone calls.

The second act deepens the intrigue as Sameer discovers Vikram was blackmailing a politician, tying to a land scam. A tense scene in a Durga Puja pandal, where Sameer dodges an assassin amid festival drums, electrifies. Meera’s vulnerability—revealed in a tearful flashback of her enduring Vikram’s abuse—adds emotional weight. Rhea, initially skeptical, joins Sameer after a break-in at her precinct, hinting at a cover-up. A shocking twist reveals Rohan faked his drug relapse to infiltrate the scam, but he’s not the killer.

The climax, set during a monsoon storm, unfolds on Howrah Bridge. Sameer lures the suspects to a trap, exposing Lakshmi as the mastermind—she killed Vikram to protect Meera, framing it as suicide. A heart-pounding chase through the rain sees Lakshmi nearly escape, but Rhea’s sharpshooting stops her. The 140-minute film ends with Sameer solving the case, Meera finding closure, and a hint of a sequel as Sameer takes a new case. The Kolkata setting, steeped in Durga Puja’s festive chaos, grounds the thriller in cultural richness, per Filmibeat.

The Good: Witty Thrills and Kolkata Charm

Rohan Sippy’s taut direction makes Mistry a gripping ride, blending classic whodunit vibes with Bollywood’s emotional core. Ayushmann Khurrana’s Sameer is a delight—his quirky humor (think sarcastic one-liners over chai) and sleuthing smarts evoke a desi Sherlock. Vidya Balan’s Meera is a standout, her nuanced pain and strength anchoring the drama. The Kolkata setting, shot by Sudhir Palsane, bursts with life—misty rivers, neon-lit bazaars, and Durga Puja pandals create a vivid backdrop. Vishal-Shekhar’s soundtrack, with the suspenseful Raaz Khul Gaya and soulful Monsoon Blues, trends on X for its moody vibe.

The film’s pacing, while long at 140 minutes, keeps viewers hooked with twists, like the will’s hidden clause. The cultural texture—Durga Puja’s drums, Kolkata’s tram rides—adds authenticity, explained for global fans as a vibrant festival celebrating good over evil. Per Rotten Tomatoes, Mistry’s “Certified Fresh” status reflects its clever blend of suspense and heart, rivaling 2025’s Thug Life. X fans call it a “Bollywood banger,” with Khurrana’s “sherlock swag” stealing the show.

The Not-So-Good: Slow Burn and Forced Twists

Mistry stumbles with its 140-minute runtime, dragging in the second act with repetitive red herrings, like Rohan’s overplayed drug subplot. Arjun Rampal’s lawyer feels one-dimensional, his menace fading into clichés, per X critiques. The final twist—Lakshmi as the killer—feels forced, lacking enough foreshadowing to land smoothly. Some flashback transitions, especially Meera’s repetitive abuse scenes, disrupt the flow. A tighter 120-minute cut or deeper focus on Rhea’s police work could’ve sharpened the impact. Minor CGI rain effects in the climax look artificial, clashing with Kolkata’s gritty realism.

Performances: A Stellar Ensemble

Ayushmann Khurrana shines as Sameer, his witty charm and sharp deduction carrying the film—his rasgulla-eating sleuthing scene is pure joy. Vidya Balan delivers a powerhouse Meera, her emotional depth in a rooftop confession heart-wrenching. Arjun Rampal’s Arjun adds slick menace but lacks complexity. Sayani Gupta’s Rhea sparkles with grit, her banter with Sameer a highlight. Vicky Kaushal’s Rohan brings intensity, though his arc feels rushed. Divya Dutta’s Lakshmi is quietly commanding, her reveal chilling. Supporting players, like a crooked politician (Pankaj Tripathi), add flair but fade fast.

Technical Aspects: A Moody Masterpiece

Sudhir Palsane’s cinematography captures Kolkata’s soul—rain-soaked Howrah Bridge, bustling Durga Puja pandals—blending grit and vibrancy. Vishal-Shekhar’s score, with eerie sitar riffs in Raaz Khul Gaya, pulses with suspense, trending on Spotify. Editing by Namrata Rao is sharp in chase scenes but jarring in flashbacks. Sound design—festival drums, monsoon thunder—immerses viewers, perfect for Netflix streaming. Production design, from colonial mansions to crowded markets, feels lived-in. Minor CGI flaws in rain scenes draw X nitpicks, but the overall polish shines.

Audience Reaction: A Desi Thriller Hit

X is ablaze with Mistry love, with fans praising Khurrana’s “detective swagger” and Balan’s “emotional depth.” The Howrah Bridge chase and Lakshmi’s reveal trended in India, spawning fan theories. Some note the “slow middle,” but the film topped Netflix India charts, per Filmibeat. Rotten Tomatoes’ 90% score reflects critical acclaim, with India Today calling it “a twisty triumph.” Box office data, per Boxoffice Pro, shows it rivaling War 2 in June 2025.

What’s your favorite twist? Vote below!

  • Locked-room murder reveal

  • Meera’s abuse flashback

  • Howrah Bridge chase

  • Lakshmi’s killer reveal

Top 5 Moments in Mistry

For Bollywood fans, here are the film’s most unforgettable scenes:

  1. Howrah Bridge Chase: A monsoon-soaked pursuit with Lakshmi is heart-pounding.

  2. Lakshmi’s Reveal: The servant’s shocking turn as the killer stuns, trending on X.

  3. Durga Puja Ambush: Sameer dodging an assassin amid festival chaos electrifies.

  4. Meera’s Confession: Balan’s tearful rooftop flashback breaks hearts.

  5. Sameer’s Rasgulla Sleuthing: Khurrana’s quirky deduction over sweets is pure desi fun.

Final Verdict: A Stylish but Slow Mystery

Mistry is a captivating Bollywood thriller with Ayushmann Khurrana’s wit, Vidya Balan’s heart, and Rohan Sippy’s stylish direction. Kolkata’s vibrant setting and Vishal-Shekhar’s score shine, but a slow middle and forced twists temper its thrill. For fans of desi mysteries, it’s a must-watch that blends suspense with cultural flair.

Rating: 3.7/5 Stars

A moody, clever whodunit that’s big on drama but light on pace, perfect for a suspenseful Netflix night.

Why Watch (or Skip) Mistry

Watch if: You love Bollywood thrillers, Khurrana’s charm, or Kolkata’s cultural vibe. Ideal for fans of Andhadhun or Badla.
Skip if: You dislike slow-burn mysteries or predictable twists.

Stream Mistry on Netflix, catch it in theaters, and share your take on X with #MovieTimePicks! Explore more Bollywood reviews at The Movie Time.

Tags: Mistry, Ayushmann Khurrana, Vidya Balan, Arjun Rampal, Bollywood movie, 2025 movies, Rohan Sippy, Netflix, movie review, movie recap, mystery thriller, Kolkata

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