Murder Mubarak | Movie Review

Director:Homi Adajania
Star Cast: Sara Ali Khan, Pankaj Tripathi, Vijay Varma, Karisma Kapoor, Brijendra Kala, Aashim Gulati, Suhail Nayyar, Sanjay Kapoor, Deven Bhojani, Tisca Chopra, Priyank Tiwari, Dimple Kapadia, Tara Alisha Berry, Varun Mitra
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐(3/5)

Introduction:
“Murder Mubarak” attempts to blend dark comedy with suspense in a whodunnit narrative but struggles to strike the right balance. Directed by Homi Adajania, the film features Sara Ali Khan and Vijay Varma in lead roles, with Pankaj Tripathi leading the investigation into a murder at the Delhi Royal Club.

Script Analysis:
The whodunit kicks off directly with a murder transpiring within the first 5 to 10 minutes of the film. The case falls into the hands of ACP, portrayed by Pankaj Tripathi, and his subordinate. However, the film’s central issue becomes apparent as the investigation unfolds. While attempting to infuse the murder mystery with dark comedy, the comedic elements fall flat, failing to elicit the intended laughter.

The film encounters its next hurdle when an overwhelming amount of events unfold within single scenes. The cluttered narrative leaves viewers, even those not afflicted with OCD, yearning for a more organized presentation. Murder mysteries inherently require a certain level of suspense to captivate audiences. Yet, attempting to blend humor and suspense within a single script proves problematic for Homi Adajania, both logically and creatively.

Managing numerous suspects presents a challenge that Adajania and his writing team seemingly couldn’t overcome initially. While portraying the suspects as a group of eccentric individuals could have been a clever move to dissuade viewers from suspecting any one of them, the narrative lacks the finesse to execute this effectively. Instead, the story feels disjointed from the outset, with the attempts at humor and Pankaj Tripathi’s performance eventually becoming grating.

Despite the potential for intriguing subplots and character development, the investigative scenes in the first part of the film amount to little more than stagnation. With none of the characters firmly established, the focus begins to shift towards the supposed leads, Sara Ali Khan and Vijay Varma, as they attempt to solve the case alongside their unnecessary romance, culminating in an abrupt love-making scene and an out-of-place song. By this point, any semblance of empathy for those involved in the making of this film dissipates amidst the overwhelming confusion.

Star Performance:
Despite a talented ensemble cast, including Sara Ali Khan and Vijay Varma, the performances fail to make a mark due to the weak script and direction. Brijendra Kala’s brief appearance stands out amidst the lackluster performances, highlighting the film’s missed potential.

Direction, Music:
Homi Adajania finds himself grappling with a promising plot yet again, reminiscent of his struggles with “Raabta” and “Finding Fanny,” despite being armed with brilliant scripts. Despite the Herculean task of weaving together strong narratives for eight suspects, he fails to do justice to any of them. It’s disheartening to witness such a talented ensemble crumble under the weight of an uncertain script.

Ironically, while the two-hour runtime of the film feels stagnant, everything miraculously falls into place in the last 20 minutes. In a bizarre turn, Adajania gathers all the characters in a single room and systematically eliminates them from the equation, leaving viewers bewildered and ready to throw in the towel – much like the film’s own team may have done.

The Last Word:
“Murder Mubarak” offers little in terms of entertainment value, with a convoluted plot and lackluster performances overshadowing its potential. While the film may appeal to fans of the genre, it falls short of expectations and fails to leave a lasting impression. Watching it at double speed or in reverse may be the best way to navigate through its shortcomings and reach the conclusion swiftly.