Something about crime thrillers that always keeps one hooked on the screen. JioHotstar’s latest original, Search: The Naina Murder Case also popularly called search the naina case is bringing a fresh story for the audience. A crime thriller fan knows whether the show is going to be bomb or not just within a few episodes. The ambiance, storytelling, and character development matters the most. In this series we get to see a unique presentation from bollywood unlike other crime series we have seen so far. Let’s take a deep dive and discuss what we know so far about the show.
The Premise
Search the naina case follows the investigation of its titular character’s death. Naina had been living an ordinary life. Her friends described her as a cheerful and happy-go-lucky girl, typical aye? However the story is not as straightforward as it seems. One night Naina attends a party and soon after that she goes missing, well seemed perfectly usual. But hey the actual web of instances starts detangling when the investigation starts. Days later after her disappearance her body is found in the nearby forest area, this shocking revelation sparks a first priority murder investigation which is soon going to become national news.
Initially the case looks straightforward to the police, concluding assault gone wrong. But as the investigation progresses, the police uncover several odd details about Naina’s life. She had a strained relationship with her parents and a circle of questionable friends. The lead was the man with whom she was seen last before she went missing. The story unfolds slowly giving the audience the time to grasp the knots of the story.
The Tone and Style
This series established itself from the very beginning as a realistic drama. It isn’t just another crime series where the convicted individual is apprehended in the first go. The creators have focused on creating a story that feels authentic. This take makes the plot feel more real. Many audiences are confused between whether the story is real or fiction. And let’s be clear on this, the story is a fictional story inspired by some other international show but loosely though.
The cinematography plays a crucial role in making the tone more dramatic. The subtle yet powerful ambiance that adds on to the tension without distracting the performances. Details like Naina’s social media posts to CCTV footage are used cleverly to piece together the mystery.
The Storytelling Approach
One of the most striking approaches to search the naina case is that it does not hold back when it comes to realism. Though many streaming platforms hold back especially when it comes to disturbing scenes. This series brings you every side of devastation making it feel more relatable. Naina’s parents deliver performances as a grieving couple caught between hope and despair. As they are asked to unfold Naina’s story it is painful to see their suffering. They are asked to relive the situation again and again. The narrative takes the most realistic approach possible. The real investigation combined with the suffering of the characters. This show feels very different from all the crime thrillers we have seen so far. All the themes and storytelling style used gives a pure, raw plot.
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The Mystery and Theories
Without giving away spoilers, the mystery surrounding Naina’s death is filled with unexpected turns. As the show progresses there are introductions of new clues and suspects. It does not give away the connection right away but it makes the viewers wonder. The most important part of a crime thriller is the suspense. The story should not reveal many things at once whether intentionally or unintentionally. The longer it takes to reach the final straw the more interesting it gets. It is a different thing when the series is based off of true crime stories, in those kinds of shows it is rarely that more drama is added. And of course that is out of respect for the victim. However, in a fictional crime thriller the story should feel realistic and the pieces should connect. Though the mystery should not be too extended or too benign.
There are various theories from fans surrounding Naina’s death. Naina’s past life leading to that party. The mysterious man with whom she was seen last time. Lastly, how she ended up in the way she did. It is rather tragic that the people she trusted left her when she needed them. Moreover, there is Naina’s parents’ side which we see from the start of the investigation. Even though they have strained relationship the way they were grieving tells another story. It is up to the viewers if they are to come up with their own theories. The ending part of the series is also sparking many possibilities for the show.
When we speak of the ending, it was a mystery in itself. The way the show ended indicated heavy on the possible comeback. Fans are already looking for answers surrounding it. It is also possible that the ending was deliberately left like that. After all this is a thriller show, so it is very much possible that it was a planned move by the creators. This means, without planning for another season the direction was knowingly kept it that way.
Final Thoughts
The series search the naina case has been the talk of the town recently. The discussion is all going in a good direction. It has been a while where Indian audiences have received a good crime thriller. This is going to change when more audiences watch the series. The gruesome story backed with an eerie backdrop is surely going to keep you hooked throughout the episodes.
Written by Kenbi Riba