Konkona Sen Sharma, Manoj Bajpayee’s Killer Soup Review: Deliciously dark humour at its best | Netflix

Director: Abhishek Chaubey

Cast: Konkona Sen Sharma, Manoj Bajpayee, Anula Navlekar, Kani Kusruti, Nassar, Sayaji Shinde

 Murder with a SOUP? Well, to appreciate the winter season, you need this killer paya soup for sure. But it needs to be cooked well on a slow flame with the right dash of spice.  Netflix’s Killer Soup starts with Konkona Sen Sharma cooking up the paya soup for her husband Prabhu (Manoj Bajpayee) and he is unable to gulp it down because it is so unpalatable.

To begin with Killer Soup is engaging no doubt, but most importantly like all Abhishek Chaubey films, it has the right dose of shock value. Sometimes it does get a little stretched and forced. High on wit, this Netflix’s series shows an unimaginable, accidental crime.

Set in a quaint town of Mainjur in South India, the series shows how Konkona Sen Sharma who plays the role of Prabhu’s wife dreams of opening a restaurant. But is unable to convince her corrupt businessman husband, Prabhu (Manoj Bajpayee). High aspiration with no talent can be a scary combination and that’s what Konkona’s character is all about.

Blending crime and comedy isn’t easy. The show is like a cinematic journey which will leave you spellbound. Accidental murder is just one part of the series. There are many stories are backstories that will come to light as all the characters have secrets and layers that you cannot miss. With all its gloominess and layers, there is a lot of depth in the show which is a true killer. Sen Sharma and Bajpayee make a lovely couple on screen.

Konkona Sen Sharma’s character as Swathi Shetty is truly layered with its right doze of vulnerability. Netflix’s Killer Soup shows how woman with ambitions and dreams can go to any extent to fulfill it. Women too have dreams and Swathi (Konkona Sen Sharma) wants to go global and how is an interesting journey to watch. Happily simmering up broth, her signature paya soup, Swathi (Konkona Sen Sharma) just doesn’t get it right. But she has dreams and that needed fire in her belly to go to any extent to fulfill it.

Murder and thrill is just one part of it, filmmaker Abhishek Chaubey like his Raat Akeli Hai movie has given more emphasis on digging out the dark family secrets. The show will keep you guessing and glued to the screen. The movie gradually removes the knots like a tease. With each scene unfolding, the pressure mounts. A fine storyteller like Abhishek Chaubey, masterfully weaves the moments making you want for more.

Coming to the performances, Konkona Sen Sharma shines as this very layered Swathi Shetty. She is nervous, yet determined, vulnerable and yet again in control. As she spirals up in lies and more lies and cover-ups, she is not going to give up. Not just Netflix’s Killer Soup, she truly knows how to dig deeper into the stories and you will be surprised to hear her perfect South Indian diction and mannerism, that is the dedication Konkona shows to her work. She is a true example of experimental cinema. One can’t fail to get those glimpses of Mr and Mrs Iyer where she also played a South Indian girl when it comes to her dictions and mannerisms. She has completely nailed the south Indian dame look.

As for Manoj Bajpayee, it’s a double trouble, both as Prabhu, the businessman and as Umesh, the masseur in the spa that Prabhu visits with his brother played by Sayaji Shinde. Apparently, Konkona gets into a messy love affair with Umesh and that’s also a mystery. Filled with simmering mishaps, the Killer Soup finally gets its mystery ingredient and the story comes to a shocking end. But how the soup simmers gradually and spills is left for the audience to decide.

 Rating: 3 and half out of 5