Search Web Series Review: Konkona Sen Sharma Struggles to Save a Lifeless Murder Mystery

Introduction

Rating: ⭐ 1.5/5 | Directed by: Rohan Sippy | Streaming on: JioHotstar

When a murder mystery starring the ever-reliable Konkona Sen Sharma arrives, expectations naturally rise. However, Rohan Sippy’s “Search: The Naina Murder Case” turns out to be a puzzlingly lifeless affair — a show that tries to emulate the depth of its source material, The Killing (2007), but ends up feeling like an extended episode of CID.

Plot Overview: A Case That Promised More Than It Delivered

The story kicks off with the brutal murder of a 16-year-old girl, Naina Marathe, in Navi Mumbai. The suspects — her best friend, a heartbroken ex, and a few scandalous acquaintances — form the base of a seemingly complex web. Leading the investigation is ACP Sanyukta Das (Konkona Sen Sharma), who partners with an impulsive rookie cop Jai Kanwal (Surya Sharma).

As the duo begins to question Naina’s friends, teachers, and family, the show tries to build intrigue but never quite manages to pull viewers into its world. The teen characters feel like clichés — phone-addicted, drug-dependent, and emotionally hollow — with little effort to understand their inner conflicts.

Performances: A Wasted Konkona Sen Sharma

Even with Konkona Sen Sharma at the center, the show struggles to find emotional depth. Her character, ACP Sanyukta, is written as stoic yet strangely one-note. Her personal struggles — a strained marriage and a fading relationship with her daughter — are brushed over without the emotional heft they deserve.

The supporting cast, including Shiv Pandit, Varun Thakur, and Dhruv Sehgal, deliver serviceable performances, but none leave a lasting mark. The grieving parents, played by Iravati Harshe and Sagar Deshmukh, teeter between melodrama and overacting.

Direction and Writing: A Mystery That Never Comes Alive

Director Rohan Sippy begins with promise — the first episode hints at a potential dynamic between the sharp investigator and her overconfident partner. Unfortunately, that spark fades quickly. The chemistry between the leads lacks clarity and development, leaving viewers unsure of whether they’re meant to be rivals, friends, or reluctant allies.

The world-building feels misplaced, with the story set in Navi Mumbai but resembling Delhi in tone and appearance. The visuals, instead of immersing the viewer, feel artificially styled and detached from the story’s emotional core.

Technical Aspects: Style Over Substance

Cinematography and sound design fail to build any real tension — a fatal flaw for a show marketed as a crime thriller. The suspense doesn’t build gradually; instead, it flatlines into predictable scenes and uninspired dialogue.

Like Rohan Sippy’s earlier crime dramas — Shekhar Home and Criminal Justice — Search falls into the same trap of being mechanically constructed rather than emotionally driven. The lack of grit and originality ultimately prevents the series from making an impact.

Verdict: A Missed Opportunity in Every Sense

Search could have been a compelling adaptation of a celebrated crime story. Instead, it feels like a dated, derivative, and emotionally hollow drama that fails to justify its runtime. Even Konkona Sen Sharma, with her proven acting prowess, can’t inject life into a script that’s dead on arrival.

👉 Final Rating: ⭐ 1.5 out of 5
A disappointing murder mystery that promises intrigue but delivers monotony.