Gopi Puthran, the creator and co-director of the new Netflix series Mandala Murders, is garnering attention for his unique approach to the crime thriller genre. Premiering on July 25, 2025, Mandala Murders blends mystery, supernatural horror, and psychological thriller elements, set against the backdrop of a fictional town in Uttar Pradesh, India. Puthran, known for his work on the Mardaani series, emphasizes originality and pushing boundaries in his storytelling.
Mandala Murders follows detectives Rea Thomas, played by Vaani Kapoor, and Vikram Singh, portrayed by Vaibhav Raj Gupta, as they investigate ritualistic murders linked to a secret cult, the Aayastis, and a mythical entity called Yast. The series navigates between the present and flashbacks to the 1950s, revealing the cult's origins and the battle between faith and science. The cult seeks to resurrect Yast, a god-like entity, by using human body parts arranged in a mandala pattern. The series delves into themes of faith versus science, love versus sacrifice, and legacy.
Puthran describes Mandala Murders as a "binge-able, mind-bending, genre-defying series". He drew inspiration from psychological thrillers and mysteries that explore the edge of reality and imagination, aiming to create a story rooted in Indian culture that challenges the audience's perception. He mentions True Detective, The Sinners, Twin Peaks, and Sharp Objects as influences, admiring how these shows explore the mind's capacity to push people to the brink of belief.
Vaani Kapoor, who plays the lead role of CIB officer Rea Thomas, expressed excitement about the series, noting that she had been waiting for a role that offered complexity and intensity. She describes her character as vulnerable yet fierce, balancing outer strength with inner emotional resilience. Kapoor also praised Puthran's directing style, stating that he challenges everyone on set to delve deeper into their characters and find unspoken layers. She felt fortunate to have the opportunity to portray such a layered character, especially for her streaming debut.
Gopi Puthran's journey in Bollywood began as a writer with Lafangey Parindey in 2010. He gained recognition for writing Mardaani (2014), where he also served as an assistant director. His directorial debut came with Mardaani 2 (2019), solidifying his reputation for handling intense thrillers. Puthran's work often reflects a strong sense of purpose and storytelling finesse within mainstream cinema. Mandala Murders marks a significant step in his career, blending crime thriller with supernatural and mythological elements.
Mandala Murders has garnered mixed reviews, with praise for its atmospheric world-building, cinematography, and performances, but criticism for uneven pacing and narrative complexity. Despite the mixed reception, the series has achieved considerable success, trending as the number one show on Netflix India and breaking into the global top 10 non-English series on the platform.
Vaani Kapoor has several other projects in the pipeline, including Raid 2, Abir Gulaal, Khel Khel Mein, and Badtameez Gill. Mandala Murders, however, marks her entry into the world of streaming and showcases a different facet of her acting abilities.
