Mistry review: Extraordinary Ram Kapoor powers this beguiling crime procedural gem

Mistry review

A Karamchand suffering from OCD and solving cases like Sherlock Holmes, the discharged detective turned police consultant Mistry (Ram Kapoor) - obsessive, compulsive, germophobic and claustrophobic and at times when days are really really bad, the fear of dust, dirt, waste, heights can spoil an ongoing investigation and/or his chances of comeback into the Police force as Police officer.

Meet Armaan Mistry, a germophobic former detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder, Mistry is brilliant in investigation and has a neck like Sherlock Holmes in solving cases by his remarkable observation where he takes clues from everything at the scene – be it the smell of curtains, can guess the height of a person by observing the height of the chair, there is a strange, unseen method to his madness, but the explanation is convincing.

Mistry is fighting an inner battle which has become his obstacle in regaining his job as a Police Officer. Mistry just can’t get away with the murder of his wife in a car-bomb attack in front of his eyes. Years have passed but his wife’s case is still unsolved, the murder incident keeps on haunting Mistry which makes his recovery tougher.

Rishab Seth’s direction is fabulous, the director stays true to the spirit of the original ‘Monk’ and gives us a niece entertaining blend of humour and thrills laced with human emotions. Without going overboard with excitement, the director balances the quirky humour, thrills and emotions perfectly.

Performances

Ram Kapoor is a known name in television ‘Mistry’ gives the actor the opportunity/the challenge every good actor strives for. Maintaining a remarkable balance between quirky subtle physical comedy with amazing body language that nicely conveys the unspoken misery of a man who’s trapped in a vicious cycle of battling OCD and coping with the loss of his beloved wife in front of his eyes. Ram Kapoor deftly handles the tough demands of the character and delivers an outstanding performance. Walking on a tight rope, a slight slip could have turned Mistry into a caricature but the remarkable qualities of Ram Kapoor as an actor makes ‘Mistry’ a rare original hero.

Mona Singh as Senior Police Officer Sehmat Siddiqui – Mistry’s boss and admirer is effortlessly natural.

Shikha Talsania as Sharanya Mistry’s assistant is very good

Kshitish Date as the cop Bunty is fantastic

Mistry review – final words

Bored from routine investigative cop dramas, here is a breezy, quirky detective that provides entertainment and thrills in equal proportions laced with quirky humour. ‘Mistry’ – the Indian adaptation of the hit American series ‘Monk’ sees Ram Kapoor in a never seen before avatar which makes this quirky, detective series perfect for a binge watch and wait worthy for its upcoming future seasons.

Going with a deserving 4 stars out of five 4/5

Produced by Banijay Asia and Universal International Studios, ‘Mistry’ will be streaming on JioHotstar (all episodes) from June 27, 2025.