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Spoilers Ahead
Mubarak’s assassination begins with much promise – of satire, comedy and a gripping murder mystery. What it mainly provides, however, is entertainment. Director Homi Adajania’s latest venture is adapted from Anuja Chauhan’s venture Club to Death and was recently released on Netflix. Housed in an exclusive colonial-era Delhi club, where pets are named after British royalty, Mubarak’s assassination begins on a rainy night as members gather for a Tambola night before the club president elections.
Director Homi Adajania’s latest venture is adapted from Anuja Chauhan’s venture Club to Death and was recently released on Netflix.
Although a murder scare occurs that night, it is the next morning when the death(s) begin to occur. Gym instructor and resident womanizer Leo Matthews (Ashish Gulati) is found dead at his bench and everyone assumes it’s an accident. The members show fake sadness and the club president wants to quickly wrap it up as an accident. But when ACP Bhavani Singh (played by Pankaj Tripathi) arrives, suddenly, shuddh Hindi speaking and humorous, with his assistant Padam, he immediately declares it murder.
The suspects? A strange bunch of South Delhi socialites who all had their beef with the late Leo Matthews. The club’s most notable members include yesteryear actress Shehnaaz Noorani (Karishma Kapoor), egotistical penny pincher Raja Rannvijay Singh (Sanjay Kapoor), good-hearted lawyer and designated outsider Akash Dogra (Vijay Varma), the wealthy widow of Bambi Todi (Sara Ali Khan), fierce gossip monger Roshni Batra (Tisca Chopra) and her drug addict son Yash Batra (Suhail Nayyar) along with alcoholic sculptor Cookie Katoch (Dimple Kapadia).
Matthews had been blackmailing many of these members and forcing them to donate to his orphanage. A ledger from the orphanage reveals the names of the donors and in turn, the list of suspects. ACP Singh is the highlight of the show as he tries to infiltrate the world of the elite where everyone is ready to sell each other and yet to protect the walls they have built around themselves.
The performances are Mubarak’s assassination
Tripathi is perfect as ACP Bhavani Singh. Gruff yet witty, he navigates the gleeful world of the Royal Delhi Club like a fish out of water and yet, holds his own. His unconventional methods, from inquiries made inside the clubhouse to strategic naps with his double glasses, provide the humor that saves. Murder Mubarak. Karisma Kapoor’s return to the screen is welcome, but ultimately her role as Shehnaz Noorani feels underutilized. She still dominates with her screen presence, commanding the attention of the audience whenever Shehnaz appears.
Karisma Kapoor’s return to the screen is welcome, but ultimately her role as Shehnaz Noorani feels underutilized.
While Kapoor delivers a solid performance, the character himself remains shrouded in a veil of ambiguity, never fully fleshed out within the film’s sprawling narrative. Sara Ali Khan, as Bambi Todi, the club’s resident rich kid with a sad past, feels perfect. Although her portrayal lacks the edge that could have elevated her character, she seems at home in her skin, and delivers a performance that doesn’t seem too awkward.
Vijay Varma, on the other hand, seems to mostly fade to the sidelines until other characters in the plot call upon him. Be it his character, who although he is central is too passive to make any mark on his own performance or his own performance, it is not impressive. Among the supporting cast, there are memorable performances especially from Sanjay Kapoor but others like veteran actresses Dimple Kapadia and Tisca Chopra, are relegated to one-dimensional roles, which are nevertheless fun to watch.
Hits and misses
There is a visual aesthetic Mubarak’s assassination undoubtedly opulent and one of its key highlights. The club, with its golden interior and designer-wearing clientele, is a feast for the eyes. Still, the visual extravagance often feels disconnected from the film’s core themes, creating a sense of superficiality that mirrors the characters’ own lives. A few wilds, whether it’s Guppie Ram’s bullet-riddled cheek or Leo Matthews’ frozen-in-death face, seem to behave more like the things that remind them, aimed at redirect the audience towards what. Mubarak’s assassination involved, even as he wandered. However, the visual burlesque keeps things memorable.
Mubarak’s assassination flourishes and yet fails in his satire. While at times, it seems like a self-aware murder mystery with scenes such as the club’s employees placing bets on the potential killer or the old staff being called’Boys‘ from their extremely rich customers, at other times, the satirical commentary that is supposed to be scathing of society ends up seeming too on the nose. Take for example, Calcutta’under communist influence‘ Akash Dogra as his mother describes him, or Shehnaaz Noorani promoting women’s rights to ACP Bhavani. The social commentary doesn’t bite even though it tries hard and ends up making the dialogues funny at best and cringeworthy at worst.
Mubarak’s assassinationgreatest strength is his ability to seamlessly blend seemingly disparate elements.
Mubarak’s assassinationgreatest strength is his ability to seamlessly blend seemingly disparate elements. The grandeur of the club, with its manicured lawns and immaculately dressed patrons, creates a visually impressive backdrop. Still, amidst the stiff upper lips and afternoon tea, the film injects a healthy dose of desi quirks. The characters, despite their wealth and social aspirations, retain a unique Indian flavor.
From sultry sherwanis peeking out from untailored suits to playful banter in Hindi, these Desi elements add a layer of warmth and fun to the narrative and make Mubarak’s assassination a healthy look at the elite Indian culture found in many Indian cities. To this extent, the film also captures the essence of Chauhan’s original book and his style of capturing the modern desi landscape that blends globalization with Indian sensibilities.
What is the verdict?
Mubarak’s assassination It’s not a film of groundbreaking depth, but it does provide a very entertaining ride. It’s a light whodunit sprinkled with comedic moments and an attempt at social satire. The film does not shy away from poking fun at the elite of the club (and in turn, India), their exaggerated personalities and social climbing, adding a layer of amusement. The whoduunit aspect keeps you guessing – the red herrings are plentiful, and the reveal of the culprit is quite a surprise. Although the characters themselves may not be deeply developed, the talented cast brings them to life with charm and humor. Moreover, Tripathi as ACP Bhavani Singh has the potential to make his mark in a long list of charming and memorable Indian detectives like Feluda or Byomkesh, and we would love to see more of him on screen.
Of course, the plot may not be the tightest, and the social commentary rather shallow, but that doesn’t detract from Mubarak’s assassinationmain contribution – pure entertainment. It’s a popcorn flick with a satisfying twist, perfect for a night where you want to relax and be entertained by a light mystery. So, if you’re looking for a fun whodunit with quirky characters, then Mubarak’s assassination is a good watch.
