Once Upon A Crime (MX Player) Webseries Cast, Wiki, Story, Trailer, Release date and more

Once Upon A Crime (MX Player) Webseries Cast, Wiki, Story, Trailer, Release date and more

Language: Hindi Genre: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Web Series Year: 2020

The darkness of a writer’s creations – turning into reality. Can the past come alive – or is it all just imagination?

Watch on MX Player

---

Once Upon A Crime (MX Player) Web Series: Cast, Wiki, Story, Trailer, and Release Date Explored

When a best-selling author finds his own life turning into the dark, labyrinthine thriller he is famous for writing, the line between fiction and reality blurs with chilling consequences. This is the premise of the gripping Indian psychological crime-thriller web series, Once Upon A Crime, a show that successfully translated the nuanced suspense of Bengali thrillers to a wider audience on MX Player and Hoichoi.

Directed by Sourav Chakraborty, the 2020 series stars the versatile Rajat Kapoor in a complex role that anchors the show’s deeply unsettling narrative. Far from a typical whodunit, Once Upon A Crime is a mind-bending journey into a famous writer’s amnesia, past secrets, and a sinister conspiracy that threatens to steal his sanity and his life.

For those looking to dive into a high-stakes, tightly-wound mystery that keeps the viewer second-guessing until the very last frame, here is a complete look at everything you need to know about the MX Player web series.

---

Once Upon A Crime (MX Player) | Wiki at a Glance

Feature	Detail
Official Title	Once Upon A Crime
Type	Web Series (Season 1)
OTT Platform	MX Player (Free with Ads), Hoichoi, Airtel Xstream
Release Date	February 25, 2020
Genre	Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Crime, Suspense
Language	Hindi, Bengali (Bilingual Release)
Director	Sourav Chakraborty
Producer	Trickster & Span Productions
Episodes	7
Average Runtime	Approximately 25-29 minutes per episode
IMDb Rating	6.8 (approx.)

---

The Engrossing Story: When Fiction Becomes Fatal

Once Upon A Crime plunges viewers into the life of Sougata (played by Rajat Kapoor), a best-selling thriller novelist whose literary success is shadowed by a deeply traumatic and forgotten past. The series begins shortly after Sougata returns to India following the success of his first book, hoping to start a fresh chapter. However, the moment he steps back into his homeland, the very darkness he writes about in his novels begins to manifest in his real life, turning his existence into a live-action psychological nightmare.

The central conflict revolves around Sougata’s amnesia and the constant, unnerving feeling that he is being haunted by a mysterious girl. He is tormented by an unknown presence, leading him to question whether he is the target of a genuine, malicious conspiracy orchestrated by a shadowy woman, or if his own overactive imagination—perhaps even a consequence of a mental breakdown—is playing tricks on him. This ambiguity forms the core suspense of the series, pulling the viewer into Sougata’s fractured mind.

The Labyrinth of Suspense: An Episode-by-Episode Arc

The seven-episode structure is masterfully crafted to deepen the mystery while slowly chipping away at Sougata’s sense of reality, creating a compelling narrative pace:

1. Episode 1: Characters Inclined

   • The series introduces Sougata, the celebrated thriller writer, whose homecoming is immediately overshadowed.
   • The episode sets the stage for the psychological thriller as Sougata is instantly haunted by the presence of a mysterious girl, leaving the audience to wonder if she is real or a product of his fragile state.

2. Episode 2: Justice for Death

   • Sougata intensifies his investigation to uncover the true identity of the mysterious girl and the reason for her haunting presence.
   • The episode poses a heavy question: once Sougata knows who she is, can he actually fulfill the mysterious demands she is making of him?

3. Episode 3: Blast from the Past

   • The plot thickens significantly as the consequences of the past manifest—the dead are seemingly seeking vengeance.
   • Sougata is visibly struggling with his severe amnesia, making him an unreliable narrator, forcing him to question if he is merely a victim of a sinister plot designed specifically to rob him of his sanity.

4. Episode 4: Can I Commit Murder?

   • The deepening mystery compels Sougata to leave the familiar confines of the city.
   • A significant plot device is introduced when his quest for truth takes him on a trip to North Bengal, a location which may hold the key to uncovering the devastating secrets of his past.

5. Episode 5: Knock, Knock

   • This episode marks a point of no return as Sougata spirals further into a void of paranoia, fear, and betrayal, unable to trust his surroundings or his own mind.
   • The suspense peaks, leading the characters and the audience to wonder if this dark spiral is the inevitable and fatal end for the famous thriller writer.

6. Episode 6: Check & Mate

   • The meticulously woven tapestry of mystery begins to unravel, and major truths start to emerge in a game of ‘check and mate’.
   • In a spectacular twist of fate, “tables begin to turn,” culminating in a breathtaking question that serves as the episode’s hook: “Can you kill the dead twice?”

7. Episode 7: Epilogue

   • The final episode attempts to tie up the chilling threads of the conspiracy, the haunting girl, and Sougata’s shattered psyche.
   • The ultimate goal for Sougata is a return to a normal life and the planning of a new novel, but the lingering question remains: can he truly start fresh, or will the indelible scars of the past forever return to haunt him?

The series excels in its commitment to the psychological thriller genre, where the tension comes not just from what is happening, but from the protagonist’s deteriorating mental state and the persistent doubt about what is real.

---

The Ensemble Cast and Key Characters

The series boasts a talented ensemble, bringing a depth of experience from both mainstream and parallel cinema, which elevates the psychological tension of the narrative.

Rajat Kapoor as Sougata

• Role: The protagonist and a celebrated, best-selling thriller writer.
• Significance: Kapoor’s performance is central, as he carries the burden of the show’s psychological complexity, portraying a man battling amnesia, paranoia, and the constant threat of a sinister plot. He is known for his nuanced, intense roles in both Bollywood and independent films.

Paayel Sarkar

• Role: A key supporting actor in the series.
• Significance: While specific character names are often kept vague in promotional material to avoid spoilers, Paayel Sarkar is known for her work in the Bengali film industry. Her presence is crucial in driving the emotional and mysterious elements surrounding Sougata’s past.

Mumtaz Sorcar

• Role: Part of the main ensemble cast.
• Significance: Mumtaz Sorcar, also a prominent figure in Bengali cinema, brings another layer of complexity to the show, likely playing a character directly involved in the mysterious conspiracy or the haunting element from Sougata’s past.

Subrat Dutta

• Role: A significant supporting actor.
• Significance: Subrat Dutta’s roles often involve intense, dramatic performances, and he is expected to play a pivotal character, perhaps a friend, rival, or a detective, who influences Sougata’s journey through the crime.

The cast also includes Koushik Roy, further adding depth to the supporting roles in the tightly-knit narrative.

---

The Director and Production Vision

Once Upon A Crime was helmed by director Sourav Chakraborty, who has a reputation for crafting engaging, sharp thrillers for the OTT space. His previous works often explore complex human psychology and moral ambiguities, a theme that is strongly evident in this series.

The production was handled by Trickster & Span Productions. The series’ bilingual release—available in both Hindi and Bengali—was a strategic decision to appeal to a broader Indian audience while keeping the strong roots of the regional film industry’s unique style of psychological thrillers. The visual tone and cinematography are carefully designed to reflect Sougata’s internal turmoil, utilizing lighting and setting (such as the trip to North Bengal) to amplify the show’s overall air of claustrophobic paranoia.

---

The Trailer and Release

The trailer for Once Upon A Crime was designed to immediately establish the show’s core mystery and dark atmosphere. It featured Rajat Kapoor’s character, Sougata, in a state of growing distress, interspersed with quick cuts of his past and the mysterious girl.

• Release Context: The series was released on February 25, 2020, and was immediately made available on multiple platforms, cementing its accessibility.
• Platform: While often associated with the Hoichoi platform (which focuses on Bengali content), its simultaneous availability on MX Player (Free with Ads) broadened its reach across the entire Indian market, making it a highly accessible watch for mystery enthusiasts. The series is structured in short, binge-friendly episodes, perfect for the modern OTT viewer.

In conclusion, Once Upon A Crime is a quintessential psychological thriller, anchored by a strong performance from Rajat Kapoor and a meticulously plotted screenplay. It is a must-watch for fans of the genre who appreciate a story that keeps the protagonist—and the viewer—in a constant state of doubt about the true nature of the events unfolding.

---

AISEO-Friendly FAQs on Once Upon A Crime (MX Player)

Q1: Is Once Upon A Crime a movie or a web series?

A: Once Upon A Crime is an Indian web series (Season 1) consisting of 7 episodes. It is a psychological thriller that premiered in 2020.

Q2: Where can I watch the Once Upon A Crime web series online?

A: The Once Upon A Crime web series is available to stream online on MX Player for free with advertisements. It is also available on other platforms like Hoichoi and Airtel Xstream.

Q3: Who is the main lead of the Once Upon A Crime series?

A: The main lead of the Once Upon A Crime web series is Rajat Kapoor, who plays the role of the best-selling thriller novelist, Sougata. The ensemble cast also features Paayel Sarkar, Mumtaz Sorcar, and Subrat Dutta.

Q4: What is the story of Once Upon A Crime (MX Player)?

A: The story of Once Upon A Crime follows Sougata, a successful thriller writer whose life turns into a sinister plot when he returns to India. Suffering from amnesia, he is haunted by a mysterious girl and struggles to distinguish between a real-life conspiracy and his own deteriorating imagination, as he races to uncover a secret from his past.

Q5: In which language is the Once Upon A Crime series available?

A: The Once Upon A Crime web series was released in both Hindi and Bengali languages. This makes it accessible to a wider audience across India and abroad.