MUMBAI: A mostly enjoyable yarn is spun in Tigmanshu Dhulia's Disney+ Hotstar series The Great Indian Murder.

The series, based on Vikas Swarup’s 2008 novel Six Suspects, has multiple subplots that track the pasts of those believed to have killed Vicky Rai. Jatin Goswami’s devilish performance as Vicky is among the series’ highlights.

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In the novel, Vicky's father Jagannath Rai is the home minister of Uttar Pradesh. Jagannath’s political schemes as well as Vicky’s murder have a role to play in Uttar Pradesh’s politics. Dhulia, with co-writers Vijay Maurya and Puneet Sharma, change Uttar Pradesh to Chhattisgarh. In one scene, the Chhattisgarh chief minister, who belongs to the same party as Jagannath, mentions that their party is in power in only four states.

This deviation from the source novel doesn’t change or add anything to the story. But at least, it won’t be accused of influencing the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha elections, which are due to begin soon.

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The Great Indian Murder is at its best when it’s following Munna and Eketi’s tracks. Surrounding them is a whirlpool of corruption: ethical, moral, political, financial, the list goes on.

There’s Jagannath (Ashutosh Rana) who loses sleep trying to keep his son Vicky out of jail. Meanwhile, Vicky is a somewhat successful businessman, and Jagannath needs to keep him close. Once Vicky is acquitted from a case involving rape and murder, he throws a lavish party. 

Credit: Hindustan Times