Mrs Deshpande ending explained: Who is the copycat killer and why did Madhuri Dixit really become a serial killer
In this La Mante adaptation, serial killer Seema helps her estranged son catch a copycat. The finale reveals her father’s horrific abuse, ending with Seema escaping to continue her dark mission.
Last Updated: 03.00 PM, Dec 20, 2025
The psychological thriller series Mrs. Deshpande on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) has shifted its focus from a typical police procedural to an intensely intimate tale of vengeance and abusive cycles, and its conclusion deepens the layers of a trauma that has persisted for decades. Casting Madhuri Dixit, the six-part series directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and based on the French drama La Mante ended with new information that puts the titular character's original misdeeds in context.
Protagonist and copycat case
Known for her murders of violent men, convicted serial murderer Seema Deshpande (Dixit) is the protagonist of the series. Arun Khatri (Priyanshu Chatterjee), a commissioner, recruits her after she has served 25 years in prison to apprehend a serial killer who is mimicking her methods.
Inspector Tejas Phadke (Siddharth Chandekar) is someone Seema is adamant about cooperating with. Despite Tejas' lifelong delusions that he was an orphan and his intense animosity towards the "monster" who left him, it is soon revealed that he is Seema's estranged son.
The copycat mystery culminates in a showdown between Tejas and his wife Tanvi's close friend Divya (Nimisha Nair). The investigation has revealed that Divya endured terrible torture from her father and was born a boy. Seema Deshpande had "saved" Divya from her abuser years ago, unwittingly turning her into a loyal follower.
Unmasking copycat killer
As Divya tried to find love and a new beginning after becoming a woman, the rejection she received from men when they found out her truth led to a mental breakdown. Divya, who saw herself as Seema's heir, went on a killing rampage as a "vigilante" to eliminate men she thought were unworthy of her. After a tight standoff during which Divya is speaking with Seema, the confrontation escalates brutally, and Tejas is compelled to shoot her.
With the copycat case closed, the focus of the finale moves to Seema's own genesis story. The way Seema acts throughout the show—from her expertise in Krav Maga to her ability to concoct tranquillisers from mushrooms—suggests that she has been living in survival mode for a long time.
Uncovering Phadke family secrets
The man who nurtured Tejas, Dinanath Phadke, also happens to be his grandpa, and the setting of the finale is his house. Finally digging up his mother's hidden case files, Tejas finds a disturbing truth: Seema's journey to serial killing was not fuelled by innate malevolence but by systemic trauma.
In the original sin, it comes out that Seema's father, Dinanath, sexually molested her multiple times when she was in her childhood. Dinanath killed Seema's mother when she tried to stop him and defend her daughter. Once he had Seema under a psychiatrist's care, he used his power to have her undergo experimental therapy in an effort to repress her memories.
Failed pursuit of vengeance
Seema collaborated with a therapist to reclaim these memories years later, while incarcerated. This was the turning point. She had intended to track down and punish her abusers on her first rampage, but she never made it to her father.
Choosing law and order over vigilante justice, Tejas stops his mother from killing Dinanath in the last showdown. The revelation of his misdeeds and the subsequent decline in his control over Tejas finally break Dinanath, and he takes his life.
Final betrayal
Uncertainty surrounds Seema's destiny as the series comes to a close. Tejas tries to return Seema to prison after what happened at the Phadke residence. Though they had an emotional connection for a short time, Seema demonstrates that she is still very skilled at manipulating people.
After successfully handcuffing Tejas to the car's steering wheel, she dashes out into the darkness. Even though she had a role in solving the copycat crime, her last expression—a chilly, knowing smile directed towards the camera—suggests that she is far from done with her own goal. For a possible second season, it is unclear if she wants to start over or if she will carry on with her vigilante mission.
Mrs Deshpande FAQs:
Q: Who is the copycat killer in Mrs. Deshpande?
A: The copycat killer in Mrs Deshpande is revealed to be Divya, a close friend of Tejas and his wife. It is discovered that Divya was a child Seema "saved" years ago by killing her abuser.
Q: Is Seema Deshpande based on a true story?
A: No, Mrs. Deshpande is a fictional psychological thriller. It is an official Indian adaptation of the French series La Mante (The Mantis).
Q: Is there going to be a Season 2 of Mrs. Deshpande?
A: While JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) has not officially confirmed a second season, the finale of Mrs Deshpande ends on a major cliffhanger with Seema’s escape.