BOTTOM LINE
Lives up to Expectations
PLATFORM
Jio Hotstar
RUNTIME
40 minutes (each episode)
What Is the Film About?
Raj Nagpal, a revered medico, finds himself on the brink of divorce. Despite their differences, Raj and his wife, Anju, are committed to co-parenting their daughter, Ira, who has Asperger’s syndrome. Amidst the domestic trouble, Raj falls for Roshni, a nurse at his hospital. While the trio initially maintains cordiality, their peace shatters with Roshni’s shocking murder. Raj is taken into police custody, and lawyer Madhav Mishra is out to secure his release.
Performances
Pankaj Tripathi’s ability to bring grounded-ness and believability to his roles across genres has kept him in good standing for many years now. While the laid-back persona and subtle humour continue to remain the USPs of his performance in project after project, it’s surprising how the petrol in his tank never dries up. Criminal Justice Season 4 is another terrific proof of his talent.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub’s evolution as a serious performer takes an interesting turn with the show, which allows him to grapple with a variety of emotions, keeping the mystery within the role alive. Surveen Chawla brings elegance and a touch of gravitas to her performance at once. Khushi Bharadwaj makes a mark as Ira, and so do Kalyanee Mulay and Khushboo Atre in their brief roles. Shweta Basu Prasad’s prominence is expected to grow in the later episodes.
Analysis
Criminal Justice, despite its wide viewership across three seasons on (Jio) Hotstar, remains surprisingly under-discussed. Yet, it consistently tackles vital social issues and stigmas, all within the framework of an engaging courtroom drama where taking sides is never easy. Year after year, the show has delivered a rich blend of suspense, thrills, emotion, and dark humour.
The fourth season, Criminal Justice: A Family Matter, directed by Rohan Sippy, has also kicked off strongly this weekend, focusing on a married doctor accused of murdering a hospital nurse, a woman he’s in love with. However, unlike previous seasons, the defending lawyer, Madhav Mishra, is no longer the underdog, though he continues to maintain his unwavering conscience.
Glimpses of the complex family dynamics in the Nagpal household are gradually introduced, and the mysteries are unpacked layer by layer. Raj and Anju have parted ways; the latter is coming to terms with the presence of Roshni, another woman in her former husband’s life. While there’s awkwardness around Roshni’s growing affinity for their daughter, Ira, the family tries to be normal about it.
Despite his growing stature, lawyer Madhav Mishra keeps the middle-class-ness in him intact, even as he earns a prized corporate client who empowers him with financial support but remains watchful of the other cases he takes up. Also, Mishra’s wife is learning to drive and owns a small-time salon. A new challenge awaits him when Anju pleads with him to fight for her husband Raj’s release.
Across the police department too, juicy drama is in store. Though the controversial case is initially entrusted to Gauri, a single mother, growing media focus and shifting narratives pressure her superiors to transfer the responsibility to her ex-husband Harsh, a cop notorious for his brutal methods of uncovering the truth. As the show progresses, the saga isn’t as simplistic as it seems.
The show keeps you engaged with its tense narrative, where you come across multiple versions of the same incident, while the names of the suspects keep changing. There’s every reason to believe that Anju, Ira, and Raj aren’t as innocent as they claim to be, and a can of worms is waiting to be uncovered. The storytelling remains edgy but doesn’t rush for the sake of it.
The director ensures that every character gets to say their side of the story and doesn’t shy away from showing their flaws. The fact that only Roshni can calm Ira’s tense nerves leaves Anju uneasy. Meanwhile, Roshni isn’t too pleased with what the world is saying about her growing proximity to Raj. Ira’s trauma, marked by isolation and bullying at school, results in unpredictable mood swings.
The storytelling pattern of the show remains true to the franchise – there’s a crime and the most obvious suspect is put behind bars, while a cheeky yet sincere lawyer takes up the case, unswayed by pressures to shift his loyalty. As the initial episodes hint, the case takes unexpected turns with newer revelations now and then, and the lawyer tries to rise above the setbacks, fighting for what’s right.
The foundation for the courtroom drama is built exceedingly well. The visuals and the dialogues remain suggestive, cautiously providing hints about various dimensions of the crime. Criminal Justice proves that as long as you’ve got a purposeful story to tell, a franchise can still come to good use. It provides a familiar setup, the right hook to grab attention, and ensures visibility.
Criminal Justice Season 4 (i.e. Criminal Justice: A Family Matter) offers everything you expect from a binge-worthy OTT show – pulpy, easily digestible and yet thought-provoking, backed by sharp execution and solid performances.
Music and Other Departments?
Though Criminal Justice isn’t a show you pay heed to for its music, Sameer Phaterpekar’s background score stays true to the edgy setting, trusting the viewer to connect the dots. The cinematography by Murzy Pagdiwala is slick, straightforward and precise, without beating around the bush. Gaurav Aggarwal’s edits preserve the intrigue in the narrative. The writing, by Harman Wadala, Sandeep Jain, Sameer Mishra, builds the little details and moments neatly, paving the way for the larger picture to emerge.
Highlights?
Engaging, familiar premise
Gripping narration
Strong performances
Drawbacks?
No evolution in Madhav Mishra’s character
Predictable storytelling patterns
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, mostly
Will You Recommend It?
Certainly, more so if you enjoy courtroom dramas
Criminal Justice – A Family Matter OTT Series Review by M9
