Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram) Click Here For Audio Version.
Radhika Apte at one point had become synonymous with Netflix India, so I just automatically assumed “Mrs Undercover” would be there, but it’s actually on Zee5. Interestingly, I last saw Radhika in the 2022 Netflix movie “Monica, O My Darling” in an entertaining cameo as corrupt cop ACP Naidu and she is back to playing an officer of sorts. In the 2023 action-comedy “Mrs Undercover,” Radhika Apte plays the lead role of Durga, an inactive special agent who leads the hectic life of a housewife looking after her bossy husband, cute kid, and aging in-laws. However, when a serial killer goes on a rampage, murdering women in the streets of Kolkata, Durga is forced by the special forces chief to help with their investigation, even though her skills as an on-field agent have been rusty for 12 years.
Directed by Anushree Mehta, who co-wrote the story with Abir Sengupta, “Mrs Undercover” wastes no time in unveiling the face of its primary villain, who goes by the alias ‘Common Man.’ Sumeet Vyas, who usually plays funny or ‘good boy’ roles, is seen in a new avatar as a brutal killer who preys on confident career women. However, the creators fail to seamlessly juxtapose the gory methodical killings of the ‘Common Man’ against the simpler comedic antics of Durga. What really ruins the clash of these two worlds is the insertion of several preachy little speeches about how housewives are “not just housewives.” While the movie opens with a gruesome crime, the rest of the runtime looks like it belongs to a different title.
Regardless, “Mrs Undercover” is quite funny in parts, and Radhika Apte is absolutely charming in the dual-shades of an underappreciated clumsy housewife and the more confident undercover agent trying to nab a most-wanted criminal. Rajesh Sharma is entertaining as Chief Rangeela, who pushes Durga to re-evaluate her priorities and break from her domestic routine. Unfortunately, Sumeet Vyas doesn’t get enough character build-up to leave a lasting impact on the viewer as the antagonist.
While the first half is quite gripping, the writers lose the plot later. The climax turns out to be over-dramatic and looks like it’s from some grand saas-bahu serial by Ekta Kapoor. I almost expected an choreographed action-dance sequence with angst-y music and lyrics while a bunch of women in red sarees fought evil. Instead of being an emotional grand ending where the protagonist prevails over the villain, we get a cringe-worthy sequence that includes more unnecessary preachy dialogues about the capabilities of an average woman. The creators are lucky to have a talented cast that pulls off the confused script.
It’s a 6 on 10 from me. Stream it on Zee5
Subscribe to our YouTube Podcast for reviews & ruminations