Pankaj Tripathi Shines in the Latest Season of Criminal Justice: A Family Matter

Madhav Mishra Takes Center Stage

Pankaj Tripathi's portrayal of Madhav Mishra has evolved from a compelling reason to watch the Criminal Justice series to its main highlight. This skilled lawyer, whose calm demeanor is underpinned by a resilient background, first appeared in the show's inaugural season on JioHotstar in 2019. Now, in the fourth season, Madhav is once again at the forefront of the narrative.

A New Chapter for Madhav

In the previous season, Madhav transitioned from the confines of a Maruti van to establishing his own law office. In Criminal Justice – A Family Matter, he is presented with an opportunity to join a prestigious law firm. However, before he can accept, he must unravel the mystery surrounding the murder of a nurse, whose throat has been cut.

The Intriguing Case Unfolds

The victim, Roshni (Asha Negi), is discovered dead in the apartment of her lover, surgeon Raj (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub). Despite being separated from his wife Anju (Surveen Chawla), Raj shares custody of their daughter Ira (Khushi Bhardwaj), who has Asperger’s syndrome. Both Raj and Anju quickly become prime suspects.

Returning Characters and New Dynamics

Familiar faces return, including advocate Mandira (Mita Vashisht), public prosecutor Lekha (Shweta Basu Prasad), and police inspector Gauri (Kalyanee Mulay). Madhav's lively wife, Ratna (Khushboo Atre), also returns, now taking on the role of an unofficial paralegal, which adds a new dimension to her character.

Direction and Storytelling

Directed by Rohan Sippy, who previously directed the second and third seasons, this Hindi-language installment, A Family Matter, marks an improvement over its predecessor. The eight-episode series is crafted from a story by Harman Wadala and others, with a screenplay by Wadala, Sandeep Jain, and Sameer Mishra.

Themes and Character Development

The narrative explores themes of temptation, with Madhav's potential partnership and Roshni's ill-fated affair with Raj. The rivalry between Lekha and Mandira against Madhav adds tension, as Mandira dismisses him as merely lucky. While the series focuses on the investigation, it lacks significant character growth.

A Blend of Drama and Humor

As a legal drama infused with detective elements, the series prioritizes the investigation over deep character exploration. Inspector Gauri's relentless pursuit of leads contrasts with Madhav's astute observations. The plot is filled with twists and red herrings, diverting attention from deeper questions of justice.

Madhav's Journey and Character Arc

The series balances light-hearted courtroom antics with moments of introspection for Madhav, who questions the effectiveness of his folksy approach. Pankaj Tripathi excels in his role, seamlessly transitioning from humor to empathy, although the absence of a formidable adversary is noticeable.

Surveen Chawla's Standout Performance

The tone shifts dramatically in scenes featuring Surveen Chawla as the accused Anju. Chawla delivers a powerful performance, imbuing her character with depth and complexity, which adds significant weight to A Family Matter.

Watch the Trailer