Manish Gupta’s “Rahasya” (mystery) might be in the news for being loosely based on the Aarushi Talwar double murder case, but other than a few cosmetic details, the film is more of an ode to “Queen of Crime” Agatha Christie.
The two hour-long murder mystery is taut; and even though it is packed with all the familiar tropes, the atmospherics ensure that the story never sags, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
Ayesha, the 18 year-old daughter of a doctor couple is found in her bed with her throat slit. The needle of suspicion immediately falls on her father, who disapproves of her Muslim boyfriend and has threatened her several times over her relationship. Enter Sunil Paraskar (Kay Kay Menon), a meticulous officer who is convinced that things are not what they seem.
For anyone who has grown up on a diet of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot, the twists and turns in “Rahasya” will be all too familiar, but oddly comforting. Every character associated with the case is a suspect, each with a stake in the consequences of the murder.
There are red herrings, skeletons in the closet, and a couple of more murders before the truth finally comes to light. In trademark Christie fashion, the detective makes the grand revelation at the scene of the crime, in the presence of all the characters, by cornering the murderer with facts and evidences.
There are some rough edges in the film, and the acting is a tad over-the-top at times, but the good far outweighs the bad. Kay Kay Menon as the acerbic police officer who pursues the case doggedly and Tisca Chopra as the pained mother stand out for their performance.
“Rahasya” is one of those films that surprise you – it starts off innocuously and then builds up into a wonderful, good-old whodunit that can be savoured long after you have left the theatre.