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 Dark Underbelly of the Queen of Hills: A Deep Dive into Anjan Dutt’s ‘Murder In The Hills’

The misty, winding roads of Darjeeling have always held an inherent cinematic mystique. A colonial charm, gothic architecture, and swirling fog make it a perfect canvas for stories of romance, drama—and, most compellingly, murder. In 2021, veteran filmmaker and actor Anjan Dutt tapped into this atmospheric potential to deliver a chilling crime thriller, ‘Murder In The Hills’, which marked his highly anticipated debut in the burgeoning world of web series.

More than just a straightforward whodunit, the eight-episode Bengali series, streaming on Hoichoi, is a dark, complex tapestry of retribution, buried secrets, and the inevitable return of past sins. It is a story where the beautiful, serene landscape of the ‘Queen of Hills’ becomes a murky, silent accomplice to a decades-old crime, proving that some secrets are too violent to remain buried forever.

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The Plot: A Star’s Death and a Ghost from the Past

Murder In The Hills begins on the night of a grand birthday celebration in the colonial hill station of Darjeeling. The occasion is the 66th birthday of former Bengali cinema superstar, Tony Roy, played by director Anjan Dutt himself. Tony Roy is an eccentric, washed-up celebrity, a charismatic but volatile figure surrounded by a small, close-knit circle of local friends.

The festive atmosphere soon turns grim when Tony Roy collapses and dies suddenly during the party, with his death initially dismissed as a natural heart attack.

The primary protagonist is Amitabha Banerjee (Arjun Chakrabarty), an ambitious investigative journalist from Kolkata who is present at the party. Unlike the rest, Amitabha senses foul play, driven by a journalist’s instinct and a suspicion that this ‘natural’ death is merely a cover-up for something much darker.

Amitabha’s relentless investigation into Tony Roy’s final hours and personal life begins to peel back the layers of a long-forgotten tragedy. The series’ core mystery quickly shifts from who killed Tony Roy to why, as Amitabha uncovers a scandalous, bloody event from thirty years prior—a crime allegedly committed at the behest of Tony and his father. The journalist’s quest for truth is fraught with peril, as he faces threats, manipulation, and violence from the very people he suspects.

The investigation thus becomes a dual narrative, meticulously toggling between the present-day pursuit of justice and the unsettling flashbacks to the past, revealing how the violence and deceit of three decades ago have finally caught up with the present generation.

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An Ensemble of Suspects: The Principal Cast

One of the series’ strengths lies in its ensemble cast, a classic device of the murder-mystery genre where every character harbors secrets and a plausible motive. The show features a collection of contemporary, talented actors from Bengali cinema who bring a sense of ambiguity and depth to their roles.

The key players and suspects at the centre of the drama include:

• Tony Roy (Anjan Dutt): The deceased star, whose over-the-top personality and dark past serve as the catalyst for the entire series.
• Amitabha Banerjee (Arjun Chakrabarty): The tireless investigative journalist. Chakrabarty’s performance as the determined, yet vulnerable, sleuth anchors the narrative.
• Sheela Bose (Anindita Bose): An enigmatic teacher and Amitabha’s girlfriend, whose own secrets become intertwined with the larger mystery.
• DSP Subhankar Banerjee (Rajdeep Gupta): The local police officer whose involvement oscillates between trying to solve the case and seemingly protecting the suspects.
• Dr. Neema Pradhan (Sandipta Sen): Tony Roy’s doctor, whose professional conduct and hidden motives come under scrutiny.
• Bijoy Mukherjee (Sourav Chakraborty): A film director with a mysterious, edgy demeanor.
• Bob Das (Suprobhat Das): A failed footballer, bringing an element of necessary ambiguity and fragility to the suspect pool.
• Ranjan Ganguly (Rajat Ganguly): Tony Roy’s long-time, trusted friend, whose loyalty is tested by the unfolding investigation.

Reviewers noted that while the screenplay occasionally faltered, the actors successfully delivered the crucial elements of any good murder mystery—enigma, ambivalence, and the psychological burden of a dark secret.

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An Ode to Agatha Christie: A Classic Whodunit Framework

The title and premise of the web series immediately evoke the spirit of classic mystery fiction, particularly the works of the ‘Queen of Mystery,’ Agatha Christie.

Murder In The Hills is explicitly stated to be loosely based on the storyline of Christie’s famous detective novel, Murder on the Orient Express. For a true mystery enthusiast, this influence is both a strength and a slight weakness.

Christie’s Influence and Thematic Parallels

• Closed Circle of Suspects: Like Orient Express, the series confines the murder and its investigation to a small group of people who are all seemingly connected to the victim and the decades-old crime. This ‘locked room’ scenario, transposed to the hills of Darjeeling, heightens the tension and ensures the journalist is constantly surrounded by people with a motive.
• Retribution and Justice: The thematic heart of both the novel and the series lies in the concept of collective retribution, where justice is sought outside the bounds of the law for a past, unpunished atrocity. This complex moral dilemma is what keeps the narrative compelling, even if the final reveal may be anticipated by keen genre fans.
• Thematic Easter Egg: In a clear nod to the inspiration, one of the episodes features a character reading the very same Christie novel upon which the series is based.

While some critics felt the “bumpy” script and predictable denouement hindered a comparison to the Queen of Mystery’s best work, the series’ commitment to character-driven drama and atmospherics elevates it beyond a mere imitation. The show focuses less on the surprise of who committed the murder and more on the deeper philosophical question of why the murder was necessary, keeping viewers engaged in the psychological unraveling of the suspects.

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The Director’s Vision: Darjeeling as a Character

Murder In The Hills is a landmark project for Anjan Dutt, marking his directorial debut in the digital streaming space. A filmmaker and artist long associated with the cultural landscape of Bengal and North Bengal, Dutt used this opportunity to explore a theme close to his heart: the dual nature of Darjeeling.

The Hill Station’s Dual Persona

Anjan Dutt, who spent his schooling years in the mountains of North Bengal, has often featured the region in his work. For Murder In The Hills, he made a conscious decision to make Darjeeling much more than a picturesque backdrop.

• A Lived-In Space: Dutt emphasised that he wanted Darjeeling to be a “character” in the series, not just a tourist location. He sought to show the “underbelly of a beautiful tourist location” and a “lived-in space,” complete with its “narrow lanes, winding back alleys,” and the marks of its history.
• Creating the Atmosphere: Cinematographer Ramyadip Saha effectively captures this vision, using a “bleak colour palette” to transform the “remote, winding countryside” and isolated hills into a source of creepy enigma that enhances the storytelling.
• Scale and Scope: Dutt viewed the OTT format as an opportunity to achieve a cinematic “scale” he hadn’t reached before, allowing him to tell a dark, murky story that is violent and reeking of “secrets, lies and scandals” in a way that resonated with a wide, global audience.

Dutt’s passion for the location also led to a more organic production process, with locals willingly assisting the crew and an actual Darjeeling-based journalist helping to secure unique, previously unused filming spots.

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Production & Music

The series’ music, composed by Anjan Dutt’s son, Neel Dutt, plays a subtle but effective role in setting the atmosphere.

• Atmospheric Score: The background music is generally understated, suiting the tone of the storytelling, which prioritises psychological tension over jump scares. The series even features a British-sounding number sung by Anjan Dutt himself, contributing to the colonial mood of the setting.
• Production Company: The series was produced by SVF Entertainment, one of the premier production houses in Eastern India.
• Episode Count: The show is a single-season series consisting of 8 episodes, a format that allows for the deliberate, slow-burn unfolding of both the past and present narratives.

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The Verdict: A Satisfying Watch for Genre Fans

While critical reception acknowledged flaws in the script’s execution and build-up, Murder In The Hills generally delivers a satisfying experience for lovers of ensemble crime drama.

The series is praised for its high atmospherics, strong ensemble performances, and the director’s restrained approach, which avoids the unnecessary gimmickry and violence often associated with OTT thrillers. The power of the show lies in its central theme: the past never truly dies. The mystery isn’t about a shocking killer reveal but about the journey to understand the depths of human cruelty and the long shadow of retribution.

For those seeking a well-crafted, character-driven mystery set against a gorgeous yet dark landscape, Murder In The Hills remains a compelling and worthwhile watch.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

1. What is the ‘Murder In The Hills’ web series about?

‘Murder In The Hills’ is a Bengali crime thriller web series set in Darjeeling, India. The plot centers on the seemingly natural death of former film star Tony Roy during his 66th birthday party. An ambitious investigative journalist, Amitabha Banerjee, suspects foul play, leading him to uncover a devastating 30-year-old scandal that connects the group of suspects to a past crime and reveals the dark side of the serene hill station.

2. Who is the director of ‘Murder In The Hills’?

The web series ‘Murder In The Hills’ is directed by the acclaimed Indian filmmaker and actor Anjan Dutt. The series is notable as it marks Dutt’s directorial debut in the digital web series space.

3. Which streaming platform is ‘Murder In The Hills’ available on?

The original Bengali web series ‘Murder In The Hills’ is streaming on the OTT platform Hoichoi. The series is also available in a Hindi-dubbed version on platforms like MX Player.

4. Is ‘Murder In The Hills’ based on a book or a true story?

The web series ‘Murder In The Hills’ is not based on a true story, but it is loosely inspired by the core premise of Agatha Christie’s famous detective novel, Murder on the Orient Express. The show uses the classic whodunit framework of a closed circle of suspects connected to a past crime to drive its narrative of retribution and collective justice.

5. Who are the main cast members of the web series?

The main cast of ‘Murder In The Hills’ features an ensemble of prominent Bengali actors, including:

• 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.
• Sandipta Sen as Dr. Neema Pradhan.

6. What makes the Darjeeling setting important to the series?

Director Anjan Dutt intended for Darjeeling to be a “character” in the series, not just a backdrop. The setting is crucial for establishing the dark, brooding atmosphere of the show, contrasting the beautiful, tourist-friendly facade with a hidden “underbelly” full of secrets, lies, and the ghosts of the past. The winding lanes and foggy hills enhance the sense of enigma and isolation required for a classic murder mystery.