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Murder In The Hills Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Actors, Story, Trailer, Release date and more
Murder In The Hills Webseries Cast, Review, Wiki, Actors, Story, Trailer, Release date and more | (Hoichoi) Murder In The Hills Webseries
Murder In The Hills is an Indian web series from Hoichoi. The Bengali language web series release date is 23 July 2021. It is available Hoichoi website and official app to watch online. Sandipta Sen is a leading cast of the web series.
Story
The plot is around the crimes happening in a locality. Murder causes lots of confusion. An innocent is on the verge of being trapped. Will the real criminal be exposed?
(Hoichoi) Murder In The Hills Webseries Cast
- Sandipta Sen
- Anindita Bose
- Rajdeep Gupta
- Arjun Chakrabarty
- Supro Bhat
- Sourav Chakraborty
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Drama, Thriller, Suspense
Release Date: 23 July 2021
Language: Bengali
Platform: Hoichoi
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The Queen of the Hills Hides a Dark Secret: An In-Depth Look at Hoichoi’s ‘Murder In The Hills’
The tranquil, misty slopes of Darjeeling have long served as a romantic, almost idyllic backdrop for Bengali cinema. Yet, in 2021, veteran director Anjan Dutt—who grew up in the region—peeled back the layers of this scenic beauty to expose its gritty, dark underbelly in his web series debut, ‘Murder In The Hills’.
Released on the Hoichoi OTT platform, this crime thriller is more than just a whodunit; it is a claustrophobic journey into the past, a tale of retribution, and a scathing look at how deep-seated secrets can corrupt a seemingly pristine hill station. The series, loosely based on the structure of Agatha Christie’s classic novel Murder on the Orient Express, traps a motley crew of suspects in a web of decades-old conspiracies, all triggered by a single, suspicious death.
Here is a comprehensive look at the cast, story, critical review, and all the essential details of this engaging Bengali web series.
Wiki, Release Date, and Platform
‘Murder In The Hills’ marked a significant moment in the Bengali digital space as the directorial debut web series for the acclaimed actor, filmmaker, and musician, Anjan Dutt.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Original Language | Bengali (Also available in Hindi Dubbed on some platforms) |
| Genre | Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Drama |
| Director | Anjan Dutt |
| Music Director | Neel Dutt |
| Platform | Hoichoi |
| Release Date | July 23, 2021 |
| No. of Seasons | 1 |
| No. of Episodes | 8 |
| Production House | SVF Entertainment |
The Compelling Story and Plot
The series is set entirely in the beautiful yet ominous locales of Darjeeling, a location Anjan Dutt deliberately chose to portray not as a tourist spot but as a place with its own secrets and a murky past.
The narrative begins on the 66th birthday of Tony Roy (Anjan Dutt), a retired, once-legendary Bengali film star of the 1990s who has chosen to settle in Darjeeling. Surrounded by his local friends—a group of diverse characters who are all somehow connected to his present life—Tony Roy suddenly collapses and dies during his own party. The official verdict is a natural heart attack.
However, the seemingly natural death is immediately questioned by Amitabha Banerjee (Arjun Chakrabarty), an ambitious, young investigative journalist who is romantically involved with a local school teacher, Sheela Bose. Amitabha is in Darjeeling to write a simple obituary on the fallen star, but his journalistic instinct smells a rat and prompts him to dig deeper.
Unearthing the Dark Past
Amitabha’s relentless investigation into Tony Roy’s life uncovers a terrifying truth: Tony Roy was not just a washed-up superstar with a few skeletons in his closet; he was a man responsible for a series of murders and conspiracies that took place nearly 30 years ago.
The main plot is driven by Amitabha’s quest for truth, which takes him across Darjeeling’s shadowy lanes and “lived-in spaces” that tourists rarely see, as he confronts each of Tony Roy’s acquaintances, who soon become the primary suspects. The series cleverly uses the limited circle of people at the birthday party, each with a motive, to emulate the classic closed-room mystery format. The “why” of the murder, focusing on retribution and past sins catching up with the present, becomes the central element that keeps the viewers engaged until the final, shocking revelation.
‘Murder In The Hills’ Cast and Characters
The series boasts a stellar ensemble cast, a staple of Anjan Dutt’s projects, with each actor delivering a strong performance that anchors the slow-burn thriller narrative.
| Actor | Character Role | Character Details |
|---|---|---|
| Anjan Dutt | Tony Roy | The victim; a retired Bengali film star who dies on his 66th birthday, whose dark past drives the entire investigation. |
| Arjun Chakrabarty | Amitabha Banerjee | An ambitious investigative journalist from Kolkata who takes it upon himself to solve the mystery and expose the truth. |
| Anindita Bose | Sheela Bose | A local school teacher and Amitabha’s girlfriend, who initially possesses a secret diary crucial to the investigation. |
| Rajdeep Gupta | DSP Subhankar Banerjee | A local police officer who is part of Tony Roy’s social circle and is initially skeptical of Amitabha’s claims of murder. |
| Sandipta Sen | Dr. Neema Pradhan | A doctor and friend of Tony Roy, another key figure in the tight-knit circle of suspects. |
| Sourav Chakraborty | Bijoy Mukherjee | A filmmaker and one of Tony Roy’s friends present at the party. |
| Suprobhat Das | Bob Das | Sheela Bose’s mysterious ex-boyfriend, who also seems to know more than he lets on. |
| Rajat Ganguly | Ranjan Ganguly | Another friend in Tony Roy’s small circle. |
| Suhotra Mukhopadhyay | Young Tony Roy | Appears in flashbacks detailing the past crimes. |
Performance Analysis
The cast is widely praised for their believable and layered performances, which often elevate the script, particularly in the slower-paced segments.
- Arjun Chakrabarty as Amitabha Banerjee is the anchor of the series. His portrayal of the driven, ambitious journalist who risks his life for a scoop is noted for its sincerity. He is the audience’s window into the mystery, a character constantly in motion, digging up clues and confronting suspects.
- Anindita Bose and Sandipta Sen also received specific praise for their strong character work, adding depth to their respective roles as key suspects/witnesses.
- Anjan Dutt, besides directing, plays the central victim. His short but impactful screen time as the charming yet careless Tony Roy sets the tone for the dark legacy the investigation will uncover.
Review and Critical Reception
‘Murder In The Hills’ garnered a mixed, yet generally positive, reception from critics, primarily applauding its atmosphere and performances while pointing out some flaws in the execution of the mystery itself.
The High Points (What Worked)
- Atmosphere and Cinematography: The visual presentation of Darjeeling is repeatedly highlighted as a major positive. The cinematography successfully captures the dark and mystical quality of the hills, focusing on the grimy, gritty, and non-touristic areas, which perfectly complements the sinister nature of the plot. The production quality, as expected from SVF and Hoichoi, is excellent and provides a “premium feel”.
- Focus on “Why” over “Who”: Critics noted that the series shifts the typical whodunit structure to focus on why the murder occurred rather than who did it. The mystery revolves around the victims’ dark past, a tale of retribution, which is what keeps the audience engaged, even if the final killer reveal is not entirely shocking.
- Strong Performances: As mentioned, the collective acting is a major strength. The chemistry and the subtle intensity brought by the actors make the complex, multi-layered characters feel real and compelling.
The Low Points (What Faltered)
- Pacing and Build-Up: The most common criticism is the uneven pacing. The series is described as starting off well and having bursts of intrigue, but the middle episodes tend to drag, sometimes feeling “glacial”. Some scenes are considered unnecessarily long, and many felt the story could have been tighter, perhaps in five or six episodes.
- Weak Script Execution: Despite a strong premise, the script’s execution is sometimes criticized for letting the cast down. The “build-up,” which is crucial for a whodunit, is considered bumpy and weak.
- The Inquisitive Journalist: The protagonist, Amitabha, faces criticism for his investigative methods. He is shown to be highly ambitious and daring, but he is repeatedly depicted as revealing his discoveries and confronting suspects—all prime candidates for the murder—without any caution, which is seen as unrealistic and jeopardizing his own safety and the case.
Overall, ‘Murder In The Hills’ is seen as a worthwhile, atmospheric thriller, highly recommended for those who appreciate crime dramas with a focus on character and dark realism, even if the plotting occasionally loses its way.
Trailer and Digital Debut
The official trailer for ‘Murder In The Hills’ was released prior to its premiere, successfully setting the dark, mysterious mood. The trailer showcases the ensemble cast, the stunning yet foreboding Darjeeling landscape, and the core conflict between Amitabha’s investigative pursuit and the local police’s reluctance to call the death a murder. The background score by Neel Dutt effectively enhances the thriller vibe, suggesting the secrets and violence hidden beneath the town’s serene surface.
The series also holds a special place in Anjan Dutt’s career, marking his official directorial debut in the booming digital space. He expressed his confidence in the OTT format, viewing it as a strong contender to the traditional theatre experience, and a platform that allows him to reach a wide global audience with his distinct cinematic vision.
Conclusion: A Vicious Circle of Retribution
‘Murder In The Hills’ successfully transports the classic whodunit structure into the modern Bengali digital landscape, using the Queen of the Hills, Darjeeling, as its essential, complicit backdrop. It is a story where the death of one powerful man forces a town to confront the brutal legacy of its past. While the narrative’s pacing might test the patience of some viewers, the stellar performances, the haunting atmosphere, and the series’ bold attempt to explore the “dark side” of a beloved location make it a compelling and memorable watch on Hoichoi. It serves as a stark reminder that in a murder mystery, the greatest suspect is often the past itself.
AISEO Friendly FAQs
Q1: What is ‘Murder In The Hills’ web series about?
A: ‘Murder In The Hills’ is a Bengali crime thriller web series about an ambitious journalist, Amitabha Banerjee, who begins an unlawful investigation into the seemingly natural death of a retired film star, Tony Roy, in Darjeeling. His investigation uncovers a series of decades-old secrets, scandals, and murders, revealing a hidden cycle of retribution and exposing the dark past of the serene hill station.
Q2: Where can I watch ‘Murder In The Hills’ online?
A: The ‘Murder In The Hills’ web series is primarily available for streaming on the Bengali OTT platform Hoichoi. It has also been made available in a Hindi-dubbed version on various other streaming services like MX Player and JioTV.
Q3: Who is the director of ‘Murder In The Hills’?
A: The series is directed by the acclaimed Bengali filmmaker, actor, and musician Anjan Dutt. ‘Murder In The Hills’ also marks his debut as a director in the web series format.
Q4: Who are the main actors in ‘Murder In The Hills’ cast?
A: The main cast of ‘Murder In The Hills’ includes Anjan Dutt (as the victim, Tony Roy), Arjun Chakrabarty (as the investigative journalist, Amitabha Banerjee), Anindita Bose (as Sheela Bose), Rajdeep Gupta (as DSP Subhankar Banerjee), and Sandipta Sen (as Dr. Neema Pradhan).
Q5: Is ‘Murder In The Hills’ based on a book or a true story?
A: ‘Murder In The Hills’ is not based on a true story, but it is loosely inspired by the premise of Agatha Christie’s famous detective novel, Murder on the Orient Express, particularly in its use of a limited group of suspects, all of whom have a connection to the victim’s dark past.
Q6: How many episodes are in ‘Murder In The Hills’?
A: ‘Murder In The Hills’ has 8 episodes in total, all part of its single season.
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