Mrs Deshpande teaser: Madhuri Dixit's intense, de-glam avatar hums Bholi Si Surat while hinting at a serial killer secret

The much-anticipated release date for JioHotstar's (OTTplay Premium) thriller series Mrs. Deshpande, featuring Madhuri Dixit-Nene, has been officially confirmed. Scheduled to stream on December 19, 2025, the announcement was coupled with a cryptic yet chilling teaser that signals a radical departure for the iconic actor.

Adaptation of French thriller La Mante

Filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor adapted the critically renowned French thriller La Mante for OTT in India. According to the synopsis, the story revolves around a woman whose seemingly normal life conceals a terrifying secret: she is a serial killer.

The quiet buildup, which contrasts ordinary domesticity with adverse news, is the teaser's strongest point. The first few shots include commonplace items like a cupboard and a dripping tap. Then, we see Dixit in her most unglamorous form, wearing a plain traditional costume. As she is seen meticulously chopping vegetables, she hums a line from her hit song, Bholi Si Surat, creating a jarring layer of irony and unease.

ALSO READ: Mrs Deshpande: Madhuri Dixit sheds her star image for a raw, stripped-back role as a serial killer in Nagesh Kukunoor's thriller

Chilling reveal and sinister confirmation

Next, the camera pans to an antique transistor radio, which plays a disturbing news report: "In the serial killer murder case, there is no information about the killer even after eight murders so far. The police investigation is still ongoing." The camera cuts back to Mrs. Deshpande, who glances up with an intense, unreadable look, hinting that she may be the very subject of the radio report. 'Mrs Deshpande: She is unpredictable, she is graceful, she is raw, SHE IS A KILLER!' the last title card reads, confirming the sinister character's function. Precisely plotted narrative suspense compels viewers to wonder what mysteries lie beneath her calm exterior.

Mrs. Deshpande is billed as one of Dixit's most demanding and intricate roles to date. She sheds the glitz that has long been associated with the "Dhak Dhak Girl" and adopts a persona that is described as undomesticated, unfiltered, and full of nuance.

Nagesh Kukunoor on casting and nuance

In a statement, Kukunoor expressed his excitement about casting Dixit, stating that he "saw only Madhuri in the title role" and guaranteeing that her nuanced performance would leave viewers in awe. He observed that the de-glamourized appearance is just the beginning of a character who skilfully keeps the audience "second-guessing the secrets that she hides behind the million-watt smile."

When asked about the dramatic change, Dixit simply said that the character was "unlike anything I've stepped into before." According to her, "She is the most complex character I've ever played—you constantly feel like you know her until you don't."

Background of the original French miniseries

This 2017 French miniseries La Mante (The Mantis) has an official Indian version created by Applause Entertainment in collaboration with Kukunoor Movies. A former serial killer offers her services to the police in exchange for the promise of undivided attention from her estranged son, who is now a detective for the police, in the original story. The killer's goal is to apprehend a copycat killer.

The series will also feature Siddharth Chandekar and Priyanshu Chatterjee in significant parts, indicating a formidable ensemble cast to back Dixit's lead, while the specific character roles are still unknown.

Focus of the series

Mrs. Deshpande is said to be a fascinating look at who we are, what we really are, and the unsettling complexity that can lie beneath the surface of ordinary people.

On December 19, 2025, Mrs Deshpande will have its exclusive debut on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium).

FAQs:

Q: When is the Mrs Deshpande series release date?

A: The highly anticipated thriller series Mrs Deshpande, starring Madhuri Dixit, is scheduled to premiere exclusively on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) on December 19, 2025.

Q: Who is starring in Mrs Deshpande?

A: The series features Bollywood veteran Madhuri Dixit in the titular lead role as Mrs. Deshpande, a woman with a dark secret—she is a serial killer. The cast also includes Siddharth Chandekar and Priyanshu Chatterjee in key roles.

Q: Is Mrs Deshpande a remake of a foreign show?

A: Yes, Mrs Deshpande is an official Indian adaptation of the acclaimed 2017 French psychological thriller miniseries, La Mante (The Mantis).