Black Widows Webseries Actress And Actor Black Widows is an Indian web series from Zee5.…
A Simple Murder (Sony Liv) Webseries Actress And Actor
A Simple Murder (Sony Liv) Webseries Actress And Actor
A Simple Murder is dark comedy show streaming on India’s popular OTT platform SonyLIV. This show is Directed by Sachin Pathak,
A Simple Murder series is a multi starrer comedy that features Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub in the lead role.
The story of the show revolves around Manish(Zeeshan Ayyub), a Delhi based wannabe entrepreneur, who is struggling to make money but gets involved in the murder of a politician’s(Pran Dawas) daughter.
A Simple Murder Trailer
| A Simple Murder Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Nov 20, 2020 |
| Genre | Dark Comedy Show |
| Season | 1 |
| Language | Hindi |
| OTT Platform | Soni Liv |
| Origin Country | India |
| Shooting Location | |
| Banner/Production | |
| Director | Sachin Pathak |
| Story Writter | Prateek Payodhi |
| A Simple Murder Actors Name with Wiki | |
 | Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub – as – Manish |
 | Priya Anand – as – Tejasvi Singh |
| Amit Sial – as – Santosh |
| Gopal Datt |
| Sushant Singh |
| Yashpal Sharma – as – Pandit |
The Pursuit of ₹5 Crore: A Deep Dive into the Cast of SonyLIV’s Black Comedy Thriller, ‘A Simple Murder’
In the rapidly expanding universe of Indian web series, few shows have managed to strike the delicate balance between dark humour, gripping crime, and chaotic melodrama quite like A Simple Murder. Released on SonyLIV in November 2020, this seven-episode black comedy thriller, directed by Sachin Pathak, became a notable success largely due to its ingenious plot and the stellar performances of its ensemble cast.
The series is essentially a ‘comedy of errors’ built around a premise that is anything but simple: a classic case of mistaken identity, a stolen bag of ₹5 crore, and a high-stakes cat-and-mouse chase involving a debt-ridden salesman, a gold-digging wife, two contract killers, a spiritual-guru-cum-crime-boss, and a pair of bumbling police officers.
The brilliance of A Simple Murder lies in the actors who brought this zany world to life. Far from being a traditional hero-villain saga, the series is a showcase for some of the finest actors in the OTT space, with each primary character representing a different shade of greed and desperation. This article takes a closer look at the key actresses and actors who anchored this madcap thriller.
The Protagonists of Chaos: The Central Duo
At the heart of the show’s accidental mayhem are the dysfunctional couple, Manish and Richa, portrayed with brilliant complexity by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Priya Anand, respectively.
1. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Manish
The Role: Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub takes the lead role as Manish, a failed entrepreneur drowning in debt and suffering from a lack of self-worth, particularly due to his wife’s constant disappointment and infidelity. His life is turned upside down when, in a case of mistaken identity, he ends up taking a contract to kill a girl. He inadvertently murders the wrong person—the girlfriend of a seasoned assassin—but walks away with ₹5 crore of his savings, setting the entire chaotic plot in motion.
The Performance & Review: Critics widely lauded Ayyub’s performance, particularly his nuanced portrayal of Manish’s transformation. He successfully captures the character’s journey from a perpetually down-on-luck, lovelorn husband and bumbling amateur killer to a man who, by the end of the series, is radically transformed by the taste of danger and ill-gotten wealth. His ability to deliver both the comic moments—like a monologue shared with a rat—and the intense, affecting sequences of manipulation by his wife was singled out as a highlight of the show.
The Actor’s Notable Career: Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub is one of Hindi cinema’s most respected character actors, often stealing scenes despite being cast in supporting roles, and A Simple Murder gave him a rare opportunity to lead an ensemble cast.
- Critically Acclaimed Film Roles: He made an impactful debut with a negative role in No One Killed Jessica (2011), earning a Filmfare nomination for Best Male Debut. His standout performances include the loyal friend Murari in Raanjhanaa (2013), the lawyer Chintu in Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), and his powerful role in Article 15 (2019).
- Recent OTT Successes: Beyond his film career, he has solidified his presence on OTT platforms with roles in web series such as Tandav, Bloody Brothers, and the critically acclaimed Scoop.
2. Priya Anand as Richa
The Role: Priya Anand plays Richa, Manish’s wife, who is portrayed as a quintessential ‘gold-digger’ with an insatiable hunger for money and a clear lack of respect for her husband. She is having an affair with her affluent boss and is perpetually frustrated by Manish’s financial failures. Her greed drives a significant portion of the plot, especially after Manish brings the money home, forcing her into the heart of the crime.
The Performance & Review: Richa is written as a morally ambiguous, deeply unlikable character, and Priya Anand’s success is measured by the audience’s reaction. Critics noted that she was successful in rendering her character in a manner that had the exact impact intended—to make the audience despise her avarice. While some critics found the writing of Richa’s character a bit “lazy” by making her villainy one-dimensional, Anand delivered an “impressive” performance, especially excelling in the high-tension climax sequences.
The Actress’s Notable Career: Priya Anand is a well-known actress across multiple Indian film industries. She primarily works in Tamil and Telugu cinema, though she has made a mark in Hindi cinema too.
- Bollywood and Pan-India Films: Her Hindi debut was the highly praised Sridevi-starrer English Vinglish (2012). She is also widely known for her role in the hit comedy franchise Fukrey (2013) and its sequel Fukrey Returns (2017).
- South Indian Work: She made her debut in the Tamil action-thriller Vaamanan (2009) and the Telugu film Leader (2010) opposite Rana Daggubati. She has starred in popular Tamil films like Ethir Neechal (2013) and Kannada hits like Raajakumara (2017).
The Mercenaries of Mayhem: The Contract Killers
The primary antagonists and source of the black comedy are the two seasoned contract killers whose lives become intertwined with Manish’s blunder.
3. Amit Sial as Santosh
The Role: Amit Sial plays Santosh, a ruthless contract killer who has just completed his last job and is planning a blissful, wealthy retirement with his girlfriend. The accidental murder of his girlfriend by Manish turns his retirement dreams into a single-minded quest for revenge and the recovery of his ₹5 crore retirement fund. He is positioned as the cold, calculating counterpart to Sushant Singh’s Himmat.
The Performance & Review: Amit Sial, celebrated as an ‘OTT star,’ delivers a knockout performance that many critics consider riveting. He received high praise for his portrayal of a cold-blooded assassin who manages to bring an unpredictable charm to the character. His ability to underplay the role, making his presence felt without being overtly theatrical, made him one of the show’s biggest standouts.
The Actor’s Notable Career: Amit Sial is a veteran theatre and film actor who has found widespread recognition in the OTT space for his versatile and intense roles.
- OTT Dominance: He is renowned for a string of successful web series roles, including the cricket manager Devender Mishra in Inside Edge, the corrupt cop I.P.S. Ram Sharan Maurya in Mirzapur, the scheming politician Navin Kumar in Maharani, and the protagonist in Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega.
- Film Work: His breakthrough film role came with Love Sex Aur Dhokha (2010), followed by roles in acclaimed films like Raid and Sonchiriya.
4. Sushant Singh as Himmat
The Role: Sushant Singh portrays Himmat, a seasoned contract killer who was originally assigned the job that Manish mistakenly took. He is then tasked by his boss, Pandit, to track down Manish, retrieve the weapon, and the money. The character is distinctively written as a ghazal-spouting mercenary—a man who combines brutal efficiency with a bizarre, almost philosophical demeanour.
The Performance & Review: Singh’s performance was highlighted as “fabulous” and “measured.” Reviewers noted a ‘weird kind of elegance’ in his portrayal, making his scenes ‘hilariously engaging’ as he underplays the role of the dangerous hitman. The unusual and well-developed bond that forms between his character and Manish is cited as one of the emotional high points of the series.
The Actor’s Notable Career: Sushant Singh is a highly experienced film and television actor, often recognised for his strong character roles and his long stint as the host of a popular crime show.
- Acclaimed Roles: He won critical acclaim early in his career for his negative role as the bandit Durgaa Narayan Chaudhary in Jungle (2000), for which he won an IIFA Award. He has appeared in notable films like Satya (1998) and The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002).
- Television Presence: He is widely recognised across India for hosting the popular crime docu-drama series Savdhaan India.
The Supporting Pillars: Police and Crime Boss
The chaos is rounded out by compelling supporting performances that flesh out the intricate web of crime.
- Yashpal Sharma as Pandit: A celebrated theatre and film actor, Sharma plays the crucial role of Pandit, a seemingly spiritual guru who runs a lucrative and shady contract-killing operation. His character serves as the shadowy link between the major contract killers, tying the different plot threads together with a commanding screen presence.
- Gopal Datt as Inspector Amit Mehta: Known for his comic timing, Gopal Datt plays the police inspector leading the murder investigation. He is portrayed as a slow-on-the-uptake, bumbling cop, providing a significant source of the show’s accidental humour as the police continually struggle to keep up with the chain of events.
- Vikram Kochhar as Sub-Inspector Pratik Mishra: Kochhar plays Inspector Mehta’s sharp, but often frustrated, deputy. His performance acts as the perfect foil to Datt’s character, embodying the more pragmatic and efficient side of the police investigation.
The Lasting Impact of ‘A Simple Murder’
A Simple Murder emerged as a compelling example of a successful Indian dark comedy-thriller, distinguishing itself not through an overly complicated plot, but through its well-executed narrative and exceptional casting. The performances, particularly by Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Amit Sial, elevated the show, transforming a chaotic, multi-layered screenplay into a consistently engaging, binge-worthy series. The ensemble cast’s collective effort in making the most of their complex and morally flexible characters ensured that the story of a simple murder became a memorable viewing experience, underscoring the shift of seasoned acting talent towards the nuanced world of Indian OTT content.
AISEO Friendly FAQs about ‘A Simple Murder’ Cast
Q1: Who is the main actress in the web series ‘A Simple Murder’?
The main actress in A Simple Murder is Priya Anand, who plays the pivotal role of Richa, the ambitious, gold-digging wife of the protagonist, Manish. Her character’s actions and greed are central to driving the show’s chaotic plot.
Q2: Who plays the lead actor role of Manish in ‘A Simple Murder’?
The lead actor is Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, who plays the role of Manish. Manish is a failed entrepreneur who accidentally gets drawn into a contract killing, leading to the series’ central “comedy of errors” involving a mistaken murder and stolen money.
Q3: What were Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub’s most popular roles before ‘A Simple Murder’?
Before A Simple Murder, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub was best known for his impactful supporting roles in major Hindi films, including Murari in Raanjhanaa (2013), Chintu in Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015), and his performance in Article 15 (2019).
Q4: Which other famous web series has actor Amit Sial starred in?
Amit Sial, who played the contract killer Santosh in A Simple Murder, is an established star on the OTT platform. His other famous web series roles include Devender Mishra in Inside Edge, I.P.S. Ram Sharan Maurya in Mirzapur, and the lead roles in Jamtara – Sabka Number Ayega and Maharani.
Q5: What is the genre and plot of the SonyLIV web series ‘A Simple Murder’?
A Simple Murder is a black comedy-thriller web series. The plot is based on a chain of coincidences where Manish, a failed businessman, mistakenly accepts a contract to kill and accidentally murders the wrong person, stealing a large sum of money. The story follows the hilarious and desperate chase that ensues as he is pursued by two different contract killers and the police.
This Post Has 0 Comments