Will there be Mandala Murders season 2?What is Mandala Murders about? Mandala Murders real story or fiction?
Introduction
Mandala Murders, released on 25 July 2025 on Netflix, is a Hindi-language crime thriller with supernatural threads—a ritualistic murder mystery set in fictional Charandaspur, Uttar Pradesh.
Cast & Characters
Vaani Kapoor stars as Rea Thomas, a driven CIB officer uncovering a cult conspiracy.
Vaibhav Raj Gupta plays Vikram Singh, a suspended Delhi cop with personal ties to the cult; his performance marks a distinct shift from his earlier Gullak fame .
Surveen Chawla appears as Ananya Bhardwaj, a politician linked to the cult’s resurgence .
Shriya Pilgaonkar portrays Rukmini, the cult’s enigmatic 1950s founder, drawing praise from critics and fans alike.
Raghubir Yadav is Kaivalya, a cryptic insider, while Monica Chaudhary, Jameel Khan, Aaditi Pohankar, and others round out the ensemble.
Plot Overview
The series opens with grotesque ritual killings in Charandaspur—each mapped in a mandala pattern, reflecting a cult’s mythology. Detectives Rea and Vikram uncover a secret society called the Aayastis, aiming to resurrect a god‑like being called Yast by assembling human body parts in a specific configuration.
The narrative unfolds across two timelines: the present day and flashbacks to the 1950s, revealing Rukmini as the original cult leader and Rea’s grandmother Nandini, who sabotaged the first ritual Wikipedia. As Rea and Vikram dig deeper, political and familial links to the cult emerge—leading to shocking revelations and mounting stakes.
Thematic Depth & Style.
The series blends genres—crime procedural, occult horror, and political drama—with recurring themes of faith, legacy, caste, patriarchy, and the terrifying allure of power. Critics commend the atmospheric world‑building, especially the eerie visual tone of Charandaspur and Varuna Forest, with rich cinematography by Shaz Mohammed.
Performances receive mixed but strong recognition: Vaibhav Raj Gupta’s emotional weight, Shriya Pilgaonkar’s standout flashback portrayal, and Surveen Chawla’s enigmatic aura stand out. Vaani Kapoor, in her OTT debut, is sincere though occasionally uneven in execution.
Climax & Ending Explained
In the final episode, Vikram is kidnapped as the last sacrifice intended to complete the ritual. Inside underground chambers, cult members initiate the resurrection of Yast using the Aayast Yantra device. Yast rejects Vikram’s blood—due to his mother’s protective wish—undermining the ritual. Rea arrives just in time and kills Ananya, disrupting the resurrection effort.
Though Ananya’s death halts the ritual, the final scenes reveal that key devises reactivate and some cult members remain at large—hinting at an ongoing threat. Rea vows to dig deeper, strongly suggesting a second season is on the horizon.
Final Verdict!
Mandala Murders is an ambitious OTT debut that captivates with its mythic ambition and atmospheric setting—though sometimes weighed down by convoluted storytelling. Vaani Kapoor takes the lead with confidence, supported by Vaibhav Raj Gupta and Shriya Pilgaonkar. The cult mythology centered on Yast and the mandala murders is chilling and original, but narrative execution occasionally loses grip.
If you’re intrigued by occult‑tinged mysteries layered with political intrigue, Mandala Murders is worth the watch. And if the cult’s lingering influence and unresolved threads pique your curiosity, season 2 may well dive even deeper.