If Bollywood ever decided to fuse the emotional drama of Dear Zindagi with the eccentric brilliance of Sherlock Holmes, we’d probably land somewhere around Mistry. Starring the ever-charismatic Ram Kapoor, this Hindi adaptation of the Emmy-winning American series Monk tries to crack the case—but doesn’t quite solve the puzzle.
Available on Disney+ Hotstar, Mistry serves up a quirky crime comedy packed with tics, trauma, and a side of sanitiser. But does this desi detective show deliver a gripping ride, or is it just another remake riding on nostalgia? Let’s dive into the crime scene.
Ram Kapoor as Armaan Mistry: OCD Meets CID
Say hello to Armaan Mistry, a former Mumbai cop turned freelance sleuth, who is equal parts brilliant and broken. After losing his wife in a tragic bombing, Armaan is left battling severe OCD—think obsessive cleaning, fear of germs, and a need for everything to be just right. But don’t mistake him for just another brooding hero. He’s got a mind that can spot a hidden clue faster than you can say “case closed.”
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Every episode sees Armaan solving a new mystery with the help of his ever-patient nurse-assistant Sharanya, played with quirky charm by Shikha Talsania. Her job? To carry his wipes, manage his phobias, and occasionally roll her eyes when he freaks out about a crooked painting or a smudged glass.
It’s like if Kabir Singh had joined the Crime Branch—minus the violence and plus a whole lot of hand sanitiser.
A Remake That’s Too Close for Comfort
Let’s get one thing out of the way: Mistry is a scene-by-scene remake of Monk. And while that may work for fans who’ve never seen the original, anyone familiar with Tony Shalhoub’s iconic portrayal might feel like they’re watching a cosplay event at Comic Con.
There are nods to Bollywood thrown in—Baazigar and Drishyam references here, a random Laal Singh Chaddha jab there—but the soul of the story feels… borrowed. Instead of reimagining Monk for Indian sensibilities, the creators seem to have hit Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, leaving us with a show that’s stylish but lacks swadeshi swagger.
Even the character’s name, Mistry, feels like a cheeky wink at “mystery”—clever, yes, but also a little too on the nose.
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Supporting Cast: Mona Singh Wasted, Kshitish Date Steals Scenes
Mona Singh plays ACP Sehmat Siddiqui, Mistry’s ex-colleague and current police contact. But despite her talent, she’s handed a role thinner than a wafer. Midway through the season, she literally vanishes due to a “bike accident”—a convenient excuse that feels more like an exit strategy for a poorly written arc.
Meanwhile, Kshitish Date as the earnest sub-inspector brings unexpected laughs and heart. His deadpan reactions to Mistry’s quirks are a highlight.
The guest cast? A rotating roster of familiar faces—Shishir Sharma, Gagan Dev Riar, Shrishti Dixit—all playing suspects, spouses, and shadowy figures in largely forgettable subplots.
Ram Kapoor: Mad Genius or Miscast?
Now here’s where the real debate starts. Ram Kapoor gives it his all. He doesn’t mimic Shalhoub’s Monk, which is refreshing. Instead, he builds his own version of Armaan—twitchy, obsessive, sometimes loveable, sometimes borderline irritating.
At times, he overplays the quirks—almost like he’s channeling a SoBo uncle horrified by a tea stain on his Versace rug. But when he clicks, especially in scenes where a crooked book or a dirty napkin triggers his trauma, Kapoor delivers moments that are both funny and deeply human.
Think of Rohan Raichand from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, lost in Chandni Chowk muttering “eww”—only now he’s solving murders instead of judging interior décor.
What Critics and Fans Are Saying
The response? A classic case of mixed reviews.
Critics called the show “safe,” “functional,” and “unimaginative,” with one noting that the emotional beats felt like ticking boxes rather than touching hearts. Others praised Kapoor’s chemistry with Talsania and his commitment to the character’s psychological depth. The show landed an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars, with some generous souls going as high as 4.8.
Meanwhile, fans on X (Twitter) and YouTube were more divided. One fan tweeted, “Bhai, ye series aapko atkaake rakhegi. Mazaa aayega!” Another wasn’t as impressed: “Total rip-off of Monk. Ram Kapoor tries, but it’s not convincing.” Another added, “Respect for trying, but originals like Monk can’t be cloned this easily.”
Still, Kapoor’s comeback is winning hearts. Whether it’s his emotionally charged scenes or OCD-triggered breakdowns, audiences are connecting—even if the script doesn’t always keep up.
Final Verdict: Watch it for Kapoor, Stay for the Quirks
Mistry doesn’t reinvent the detective genre. But it does offer something rare: a flawed, broken hero who isn’t afraid to show his scars—even if he’s constantly scrubbing away invisible dirt.
It’s not the edge-of-your-seat thriller some might hope for, but it’s a breezy, oddly comforting ride for those who love character-driven stories with a side of crime-solving chaos. Just don’t expect fireworks, and you’ll have a pretty decent time.
Will there be a Season 2? With the buzz it’s creating online and the cliffhanger surrounding Mistry’s wife’s death still unresolved, we wouldn’t be surprised if Armaan Mistry returns—wipes in hand, mystery in heart.
So, have you cracked the case yet? Or are you still sanitizing your remote after binge-watching Mistry?
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