Written by: Rajeev ji Menon
director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Mould: Madhuri Dixit, Siddharth Chandekar, Deeksha Juneja, Kavin Dave, Nimisha Nair, Pradeep Velankar, Priyanshu Chatterjee
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Release date: 19 December 2025
Episode: 6
Rating: 3/5
Smt Deshpande Review: Madhuri Dixit’s much-awaited thriller series has finally arrived on OTT, and though it largely hinges on her forceful presence, the results are clever and compelling.
Madhuri Dixit as Mrs. Deshpande
Madhuri Dixit brings a focused, almost regal intensity to Mrs. Deshpande, an aura that suggests some of the character has already fully developed into her body. Across decades and vastly different emotional landscapes, Dixit displays a rare elasticity of presence that makes performances feel like revelations.
Nagesh Kukunoor’s Indian adaptation of Mrs. Deshpande French miniseries La MonteDixit once again proved his command. The series unfolds patiently, peeling back its layers with the promise of psychological depth and moral unease. At its best, the show creates a chill atmosphere, drawing the audience in and capturing attention through mood rather than shock. It’s clearly designed for a mainstream OTT audience: accessible, hyper-friendly, and careful not to alienate.
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Mrs. Deshpande closing ceremony
Yet that caution becomes the show’s biggest limitation. the ending feels a little very predictableLong before the final episode arrives, you can sense where the story is headed. Instead of delivering a truly disturbing outcome, the climax arrives with a sense of inevitability, softening what could have been a sharper, more disturbing conclusion.
The editing, in particular, is noteworthy. At moments, it’s tight and effective, building tension through clean cuts and parallel storytelling. In others, it draws attention to itself, leading the audience to conclusions rather than allowing the scares to unfold organically. Similarly, adventurous use of instrumental music Often weakens the drama.
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Even when Mrs. Deshpande stumbles, Dixit takes over. His restrained performance, marked by dignity and a quietly unsettling calm, keeps the series engaging. The show may be safe, but with Dixit at the center it never feels stale.
Mrs. Deshpande is a charming, charming thriller that knows its audience and plays to familiar tunes. It doesn’t fully exploit the darkness of its premise, but it’s worth a watch – if for nothing else, Madhuri Dixit.
Madhuri Dixit starrer Mrs. Deshpande is available to stream on JioHotstar.