Filmmaker Gopi Puthran, the creator of the recently released crime thriller Mandala Murders, believes India’s deeply ingrained mythological heritage plays a vital role in shaping audience engagement and creative storytelling. He credits the show’s rising popularity to its ability to tap into those traditional narratives and psychological influences.
Speaking about the cultural undertones in Mandala Murders, Puthran said, “India is a mythical place and we have so much potential to draw inspiration from this and create content that resonates with people. As citizens, I feel we are all drawn to this as it is in our DNA.”
The YRF Entertainment-produced series follows two investigators who are assigned to probe a series of mysterious murders. What begins as a procedural crime investigation soon spirals into a layered, psychological thriller as the duo uncovers secrets rooted in ancient history, spiritual beliefs, and suppressed traumas. The narrative shifts between the past and present, blending factual settings with fictional mythologies, making it both grounded and otherworldly.
Starring Vaani Kapoor, Vaibhav Raj Gupta, Surveen Chawla, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Siddhanth Kapoor, Rahul Bagga, Raghubir Yadav, and Monica Choudhary, the series explores how deeply entrenched belief systems can affect perception, justice, and memory.
Puthran, known for his earlier directorial work Mardaani 2, said he is overwhelmed by the audience response to Mandala Murders. “I’m happy that the originality of Mandala’s concept has created a binge-worthy show that is trending globally. Before the success of Mandala Murders, you saw Sacred Games become a cult hit and make us proud globally.”
According to him, the strength of such series lies in the unique blend of fiction with mythology,a creative route that not only entertains but also resonates deeply with Indian viewers. “When we grow up, we are told stories about mythological beings and events that could have happened in our country and that has had a deep impact on us psychologically. So, when we create content steeped in our roots, our belief systems, and our culture, it can get wide acclaim and love,” he explained.
Puthran emphasized that Indian audiences, having grown up with folklore, religious tales, and oral histories, respond instinctively to stories that mirror those themes,even in fictionalised, modern formats. “It’s this ability to blend myth with fiction that makes for a really potent combination for audiences in this part of the world. It can fire their imagination and unlock memories from their childhood or what they know of our country’s myths.”
The show has also drawn attention for its tight narrative, character development, and visual style, which interweaves urban realism with flashes of ritual, symbolism, and coded imagery. Many critics have praised Mandala Murders for going beyond conventional crime drama tropes and introducing a unique socio-mystical dimension.
Mandala Murders is the latest in a growing list of Indian shows that are turning to cultural and mythological subtexts for inspiration, following the path of titles like Sacred Games, Asur, and Paatal Lok. The success of these series signals a shift in Indian OTT storytelling, where homegrown stories,rooted in local beliefs but told with cinematic flair,are finding both domestic and global audiences.
With streaming platforms competing to deliver original content, creators like Puthran believe India’s wealth of mythology and folklore remains a largely untapped well of stories. And as Mandala Murders climbs global streaming charts, its fusion of myth, crime, and psychological thriller may just set the tone for future Indian narratives.
