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Murderbaad 2025 Movie Cast, OTT, Budget, Box Office, And More

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Murderbaad 2025: Unpacking the Dark Romantic-Thriller That Gripped the Nation

The landscape of Indian cinema is constantly evolving, with new voices and genre-bending narratives emerging to challenge conventional storytelling. One of the most talked-about and anticipated releases of 2025 was the Hindi-language film, Murderbaad. Far from a typical Bollywood whodunit, this romantic-thriller dared to explore the dangerous line where love collides with crime, delivering a dark, layered, and psychologically intense cinematic experience.

Released theatrically on July 18, 2025, Murderbaad marked a significant debut for its writer, director, and producer, Arnab Chatterjee, and quickly established itself as a must-watch for fans of unconventional and atmospheric thrillers.

A New Breed of Romantic Thriller: The Plot Unveiled

The film is a taut and intricate narrative that fuses the passion of a budding romance with the pulse-pounding tension of a crime mystery. The core story is set in the contrasting, yet equally evocative, backdrops of Rajasthan and West Bengal.

The Storyline: Love, Lies, and Loss

Murderbaad begins in the vibrant, picturesque city of Jaipur, where the charming, though secretive, young tour guide, Jayesh Madnani (Nakul Roshan Sahdev), meets the intelligent NRI tourist, Isabelle Sharma (Kanikka Kapur). Their attraction is immediate and mutual, sparking what seems like an innocent, genuine, and scenic love story.

However, the romance takes a sinister turn when a tourist from their group mysteriously disappears, only to be found dead under suspicious circumstances. As Isabelle begins to question Jayesh’s true identity, especially with the name ‘Jogesh Mallick’ surfacing, the façade of their perfect love story starts to crumble. Jayesh becomes the prime suspect in the case, and his subsequent disappearance triggers a nationwide investigation.

A Journey into the Dark Heart

The film’s narrative gains intensity as the plot shifts locations, moving from the bright streets of Rajasthan to the cold, misty Maguri hills of North Bengal. This geographical shift underscores the psychological transition of the story, as what began as a missing person’s case spirals into a complex web of:

• Criminal Conspiracy: Detectives, including Maqsood Ghaziabadi (Sharib Hashmi) and Inspector Das (Subrat Dutta), close in on a conspiracy that links Jayesh’s past to the present crime.
• Hidden Motives: Every character, from the leads to the ensemble, seems to harbor a secret, blurring the lines between good, evil, love, and obsession.
• Psychological Depth: The film dives deep into the disturbing and grotesque territories of human psychology, exploring how love can be weaponized.

The director’s choice of setting is crucial, with the fictional, yet eerily realistic, city of “Murderbaad” becoming a silent witness to the unfolding crimes. The film promises an unexpected and haunting climax, challenging the viewer’s perception of love and morality until the final moments.

The Masterminds Behind the Mystery

Murderbaad is a testament to the bold vision of its young creator, Arnab Chatterjee.

The Debut Director’s Vision

Arnab Chatterjee, who was just 24 when he shot the film, made his highly-anticipated Hindi feature film debut by not only directing but also writing and producing the movie under his banner, ACjee Entertainment. His journey, which began with making short films at the age of eight, culminated in this significant leap, backed by a heavyweight like Reliance Entertainment.

Chatterjee’s direction is lauded for its sincerity and its refusal to play safe. The film is not a typical, easy-to-digest mystery; instead, it’s described as an atmospheric slow-burn that demands the audience’s attention and challenges them with its complex characters and morally ambiguous narrative. His effort to blend romance, mystery, crime, and psychological drama was viewed by critics as a daring, successful risk.

A Stellar Ensemble Cast

The film’s gripping narrative is anchored by a consistent and powerful set of performances from both new and seasoned actors, who bring layers of depth and authenticity to the twisted tale.

Actor	Character	Role Summary
Nakul Roshan Sahdev	Jayesh Madnani/Jogesh Mallick	The charming yet secretive tour guide caught in the web of suspicion; praised for walking the line between vulnerability and duplicity.
Kanikka Kapur	Isabelle Sharma	The intelligent NRI tourist whose tender love story spirals into a search for truth; praised for her natural and convincing performance.
Sharib Hashmi	Maqsood Ghaziabadi	A key supporting role, noted for his powerful and nuanced performance as a man conflicted between good and evil.
Amole Gupte	Biresh	Stands out in an unsettling and viscerally repulsive character role.
Manish Chaudhari	Suryakant Maheshwari/Inspector	Provides the story with spine as a no-nonsense investigating officer.
Saloni Batra	Shaili Pandey	A pivotal member of the supporting cast.
Aanjjan Srivastav, Masood Akhtar, Subrat Dutta	Ensemble Roles	Seasoned actors adding gravitas and emotional depth to the story.

Technical and Cinematic Brilliance

Beyond the plot and performances, Murderbaad stands out for its high production values and technical execution, lending a compelling sensory experience to the dark story.

• Cinematography: Veteran cinematographer Binod Pradhan is credited with capturing the film’s contrasting visual aesthetics. He brings a raw, realistic, and tactile texture to the visuals, creating a compelling contrast between the regal charm of Jaipur and the quiet, gritty tones of West Bengal.
• Music: The music, composed by Rickie, with vocals from artists like Shaan, Nakash Aziz, and Amit Kumar, is noted for its evocative score and its ability to underscore the film’s haunting suspense.
• Action & Editing: The action sequences, handled by veteran Sham Kaushal, are grounded and realistic, while Dev Rao Jadhav’s editing keeps the pace tight despite the film’s 143-minute runtime.

Critical Reception and Audience Verdict

Murderbaad was met with a generally positive reception, with critics hailing it as a refreshing, albeit unconventional, addition to the thriller genre.

• Praise: The film was celebrated for its “daring, layered thriller” narrative that is “not afraid to get its hands dirty.” Reviewers appreciated its focus on human psychology, cultural undertones, and the ability to keep the viewer curious despite its slow-burn pacing. The stellar performances from the ensemble cast were frequently highlighted as the film’s biggest strength.
• Critique: While praised for ambition, the film did face some criticism, notably for “uneven camerawork” and a few “loose ends” in the storytelling that prevented it from being a completely tight crime drama.

Ultimately, the consensus positioned Murderbaad as a film for viewers who appreciate bold, intelligent storytelling and are looking for a break from predictable narratives, even if its psychological intensity meant it might not cater to mainstream family audiences.

Release Information: Where and When to Watch

Murderbaad enjoyed a theatrical run before making its way to digital platforms, ensuring a wide reach for this unconventional thriller.

• Theatrical Release Date: July 18, 2025
• OTT Release Date: October 9, 2025
• OTT Platform: Jio Hotstar

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AISEO friendly FAQs

What is the movie Murderbaad about?

Murderbaad is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language romantic-thriller film. Its plot centers on a Jaipur tour guide, Jayesh Madnani, and an NRI tourist, Isabelle Sharma, whose passionate romance descends into a dark mystery following the disappearance and death of a fellow tourist. The story then becomes a tense whodunit and psychological drama about love, obsession, and hidden secrets.

Who is the director of Murderbaad?

The film is directed, written, and produced by Arnab Chatterjee. Murderbaad marks his debut feature film and has been praised by critics for its bold and unconventional approach to the thriller genre.

Who are the main actors in the Murderbaad cast?

The film features a strong ensemble cast, with the main roles played by Nakul Roshan Sahdev (as Jayesh Madnani/Jogesh Mallick) and Kanikka Kapur (as Isabelle Sharma). They are supported by seasoned actors including Sharib Hashmi, Manish Chaudhari, and Amole Gupte.

Is Murderbaad a true story?

No, Murderbaad is a work of fiction. It is a Hindi-language romantic-thriller that blends elements of crime, mystery, and psychological drama within a fictional storyline.

When did Murderbaad release?

Murderbaad was released in theaters on July 18, 2025. It later had its OTT release on the Jio Hotstar platform on October 9, 2025.