BOTTOM LINE
Disturbing, Strictly for Crime Junkies
PLATFORM
ZEE5
RUNTIME
3 Hours (5 Episodes)
What Is the Film About?
A five-part true-crime docudrama, this series uncovers chilling real-life cases where wives murdered their husbands. The narrative dives deep into how love, control, betrayal, and hidden marital fractures culminate in fatal breakdowns. It weaves together insights from journalists and psychologists with accounts from victims’ families, utilising original footage alongside recreations of the crimes.
Analysis
Honeymoon Se Hatya, directed by Ajitesh Mishra, is a five-episode documentary on ZEE5 that deconstructs five sensational cases across India where women murdered their spouses (acting alone or with accomplices). The series traces the precise moments these relationships fell apart, attempting to decode the complex behavioural traits and psychological triggers behind each crime.
Episode 1 – Meerut Blue Drum Case
This tells the story of Muskaan, a Meerut woman who joined hands with her lover, Saahil, to kill her husband, Saurabh. Saurabh was poisoned and killed, his body chopped into pieces, placed in bags, and later cemented in a drum. Muskaan was having an extra-marital affair with Saahil and wanted her husband out of the way. Saurabh, aware of the relationship, was not ready for a divorce.
The episode sheds light on a bitter-sweet marriage that eventually loses meaning, revealing the problematic dimensions of the woman, from impersonating her mother and exploiting her husband’s financial status to indulging in black magic. However, the detailing isn’t particularly incisive, and the moral stance taken by a few interviewees leaves the viewer with mixed feelings.
Episode 2 – Delhi – Electric Shock Case
In this episode, the focus shifts to a Delhi woman, Sushmita, who kills her husband, Karan, by teaming up with his cousin, Rahul. After the murder, Karan is electrocuted using a mobile charger to stage the scene and cover up the crime. The marriage takes an ugly turn after Karan insists Sushmita quit her job to care for their child, a conflict that paves the way for an affair and the crime later.
The complexity of the case and the mysteries around the couple’s relationship make for riveting viewing. The psychoanalysis of Sushmita, who’s stripped off her independence, love and companionship with time, and the absence of any remorse from her side (she only cared for the child) about the crime is particularly arresting. It asks difficult questions and prompts you to think.
Episode 3 – Mumbai – Tile Case
This crime involves Chaman Chauhan, who strangles her husband, Vijay, to death and covers up the murder by burying his remains inside their house under a layer of tiles. Chaman was in an affair with Monu Sharma, a much younger man. The situation escalates after Vijay became aware of the illicit relationship and began behaving violently, leading to a fatal confrontation.
The conflict stems from a married woman’s affair with a younger man; the pair flee immediately after concealing the body. Much like the previous episode, patriarchy and sexual repression are presented as crucial motives behind the murder. This episode does a fair job of analysing the crime from multiple perspectives and what could have pushed the woman to take a drastic step.
Episode 4 – Bhiwani – Influencer Case
Money, misogyny and financial independence are the central reasons that prompt a tailor-turned-social media influencer Ravina, to kill her truck driver husband, Praveen and throw him in a ditch later. Ravina’s digital presence escalates tension in the marriage, gives her an outlet to vent out the domestic trauma – all while she was imagining a future with a fellow influencer, Suresh.
The episode presents social media as a double-edged sword and how it affects relationships. It tackles an issue typical to many Indian households, a man’s growing insecurity regarding an earning wife, which leads to domestic violence. In an environment where divorce is not an option, the woman is driven to commit the crime out of rage. This cautionary tale is presented with sensitivity.
Episode 5 – Meghalaya – Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi
In a chilling case that recently grabbed headlines, Sonam plots the murder of her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon. She conspired with her long-time boyfriend, Raj, and contract killers to execute the plan. Forced into marriage by parents who disapproved of her relationship with Raj, Sonam saw her husband as an obstacle to her future and went on to eliminate him.
This is undoubtedly the most brutal crime in the series, largely because it was so cold and premeditated; because Sonam would have likely killed anyone in her husband’s place. The disappointment of having no agency in her own marriage, a systemic issue many women face, is viewed as the primary driving factor here. The episode is deeply unsettling and leaves you with a lump in your throat.
Final verdict:
This is a disturbing series on many levels because the nature of the ghastly crimes repulses you and forces you to rethink the levels that the human race stooped to. Also, the insights during the show are unnecessarily sensational at times, passing convenient judgments on the victims/criminals. It would take some effort, even for a true-blue crime enthusiast, to stomach this over 3 hours.
Music and Other Departments?
On the technical front, there is little to drive home about. The music is strictly functional and barely adds value. However, the effort to recreate the crime scenes with actors, juxtaposing them with real footage, is laudable. The choice of speakers could have been better, like someone who approached their role with empathy rather than pouncing on the crimes to assert their own importance.
Highlights?
Few good insights, psychoanalysis of the crimes
Authentic recreation of the crime scene
Presents the rot in modern-day relationships effectively
Drawbacks?
Sensationalises the crimes beyond necessity
Lacks sensitivity in a few situations
Gets disturbing and harder to watch by the last set of episodes
Did I Enjoy It?
In Parts
Will You Recommend It?
Only if you’re a Hard-core Crime Junkie
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