Mistry review: Ram Kapoor tries to be all in — but where's the mystery?

Mistry story:

Armaan Mistry is the go-to guy when a crime scene gets confusing and the evidence doesn't add up. Played by Ram Kapoor, he is a unique detective—clever, erratic, and able to solve the most difficult cases in the most unusual ways. Mistry deftly negotiates intricate situations brimming with unexpected turns and twists. 

Mistry review:

I think it has been a long time since Ram Kapoor last headlined a show, as this was a common occurrence during his television career and likely includes the 2017 OTT series Karrle Tu Bhi Mohabbat. Over the years, we have seen the actor play the role of a rich businessman who has a temper issue and needs a woman in his life to fix him ultimately. So, seeing him in Mistry is definitely a refreshing change, as Kapoor plays a role that is starkly opposite to what he has played before, as well as his image in real life. But does this shift in character offer something fresh? Let's find out...

Mistry is the official Indian adaptation of the American series Monk, which aired for eight seasons from 2002 to 2009. Yes, that's like two decades ago; however, the show does have a fan base thanks to Tony Shalhoub's incredible performance in the titular role. However, having a show that old to get adapted in Hindi, that too after ages, does come with challenges, as everything has changed over the years. 

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However, Mistry draws inspiration from Monk and adapts nearly every aired episode's storyline. Here, we have a police consultant with obsessive–compulsive disorder and multiple phobias, including germophobia. Mistry consistently strives to overcome uncomfortable situations and experiences panic or irritation when faced with helplessness. However, he never loses his calm as such and has an assistant, Sharanya (Shikha Talsania), who aids him in every possible way. Mistry closely works with ACP Sehmat Siddiqui (Mona Singh) to solve cases and she is the one who believes him and knows he can crack the mystery like no other. 

But if you watch Mistry, there's no mystery as such. The eight-episode series, each lasting nearly 38 minutes, features cases that are so open-and-shut that Mistry's struggle lies not in solving them but in managing his OCD and phobias. We see him having a particular schedule for everything and reaching the said place in no time, respecting punctuality too. Mistry avoids touching any object without protection, yet he can be seen dancing his fingers through railings on the footpath. Well, that's strange for a person with germophobia, I must say. 

As soon as an episode commences, we understand that everything is predetermined; resolving them is a straightforward task, and failure hinges on your level of competency. In one scene, Siddiqui explains to her subordinate Bunty (Kshitij Dave) how she trusts Mistry in solving the case. Even Bunty asks her the most common-sense question when she explains the situation, which makes you think that Mistry has the skills needed to be a cop, which has made the rest of the cops too dependent on him and refrain from getting upgraded. 

Despite having a genre that fits well, the eight episodes pass by quickly without making a long-lasting impression. I wish I could have watched Mistry passively, but I can only do so if I need to write about it. Of course, there has to be a cliffhanger, as nowadays it's a norm to end a show with a hint of the renewal of the new season. Mistry follows the same suit, yet my reaction was dry, as even the mystery was not intriguing as one should anticipate. 

Ram Kapoor leads the series brilliantly, marking a welcome departure from his previous roles. Mistry shows him as a widower who is simultaneously solving the case of his wife's (Shraddha Nigam) murder, who died in a car blast where he was the eyewitness. This giant loss has led him to go through a mental trauma and thus be discharged from duties. However, his mind is what the cop needs, so they make him a consultant where he doesn't have to wield a gun. Meanwhile, despite having such a role, there's no surprise element where his character leaves you with a "wow" moment any time.

On the other hand, there's no parallel lead as such, not even Mona Singh as a tough cop, Sehmat Siddiqui. Her presence is primarily comedic, and she lacks the emotional depth expected from a character of her calibre. The actor does try her level best to show as a cop who is no-nonsense and knows her job well in a mean man's world. But there's not even a solo moment for her to shine, as ultimately it's all about Mistry. 

Meanwhile, there's Shikha Talsania, who, to be honest, is the one who has fun to an extent with her character and plays it very well. But the story doesn't amp it up like it should for her to leave an impressive mark. 

Mistry is directed by Rishab Seth, who is known for helming Dhoom Dhaam. In my opinion, Rishta.com is the filmmaker's most well-known work as a writer. However, with the new JioHotstar series, he adopts a convenient approach, keeping everything straightforward and devoid of any mystery. 

To be honest, I don't think the series was intended for viewers to take it seriously in any way.

Mistry verdict:

Mistry tries to solve a case but ends up solving nothing at all. While Ram Kapoor cleans up well as a character with OCD, the plot never quite dusts off the clichés. The biggest twist? That a show about mysteries has no real mystery.