Criminal Justice 3: Adhura Sach is worth watching for Pankaj Tripathi’s brilliant portrayal of Madhav Mishra, notes Divya Nair.

After two successful seasons criminal justice returns for a third installment, this time directed by Rohan Sippy.

The first episode begins by investigating popular TV actress Zara Ahuja (Deshna Dugad), who has been reported missing by her parents.

The 14-year-old’s life and career is managed by her stepmother Avantika (Swastika Mukherjee) and father Neeraj (Purab Kohli).

When Zara’s body is recovered by fishermen the next day, all leads lead to Avantika’s son and Zara’s 17-year-old stepbrother, Mukul (Aaditya Gupta).

Evidence and eyewitnesses show that Mukul met Zara at the party where she was drugged and was also seen arguing with Zara hours before her death.

Although Avantika tries to argue that her son is recovering in rehab and unable to commit a crime, Mukul’s history of violence and substance abuse, as well as his deteriorating relationship with Zara, speak against him.

One mistake leads to another and prosecutors are able to issue a strong non-bail indictment against Mukul, who has pleaded not guilty and is seeking a fair trial.

After Zara’s death, Neeraj admits that the family’s finances are declining and he may not be able to help Mukul find a good lawyer.

When all the doors close at the Ahujas, Madhav Mishra (Pankaj Tripathi) takes on the task of defending Mukul, hoping to help the seemingly wealthy family and make good money.

He faces prosecutor Lekha Agastya (Shweta Basu Prasad), who is hellbent on trying Mukul as an adult, not a juvenile, so that he can be sentenced to life and set a precedent for the future.

Since this review is based on the first six episodes, it might be premature to comment on whether the series gets better later and is worth your time.

Unlike the first two seasons, where the main characters, including the suspects, were strong, compelling, and interesting to watch, season 3 isn’t half as sensational, but manages to drag on because you want to know what really happened.

Good actors like Purab, Swastika and Gaurav Gera fail to make you invest in their characters or their story, and it is left to Pankaj Tripathi alone to break the mundane tone of the narrative and plunge you into the legal with new twists and perspectives involve drama.

Even for a disjointed family, there was more chemistry between the characters The Glory Game than you would see in this one.

The good news is that Pankaj’s character has evolved a lot since season one, where he was learning the basics of justice as an amateur attorney.

In Season 3, he’s more forward-thinking, more confident, and knows when to strike.

Despite his track record of winning landmark cases, Madhav Mishra recognizes that luck isn’t always on his side, so he maintains his humility, whimsical whimsy and humor, and often spices things up both inside and outside the courtroom.

In one incident, the teenager casually says, “Everyone takes it (drugs)”, Madhav Mishra responds to his assistant: “Drugs chai pani ho gaya haieveryone takes it.’

is he upset Concerned? Judgmental?

Madhav Mishra leaves us puzzled. And that is the beauty of his character.

In two seasons he has absorbed so much about how society, law and the media work that he keeps sharing wisdom that will stay with you. Like when he explains to Mukul: &’Nyay badlana hello hota. Adalat nyay deti hai, Publicity chahti hai badla‘ the um Viewers who know the meaning and consequences of media processes will only nod their heads in agreement.

Similarly, his interaction with his new bride, who turns her humble home into a beauty salon, reveals another interesting and endearing side of him.

Shweta Basu Prasad is doing an excellent job as a biased prosecutor with no mercy for the accused.

She may not be as fierce as Mita Vashisht, but smart enough not to be dismissed as just another newbie trying to win her first big case.

However, as one of the main actors of the show, Aaditya becomes monotonous with his facial expressions and emotions.

He doesn’t bother to show the layers of his character, which is why he doesn’t feel sorry for when he’s reprimanded, misunderstood, or arrested.

Overall, Season 3 is only worth watching for Pankaj Tripathi’s brilliant portrayal of Madhav Mishra, who will leave no stone unturned to uncover the truth regardless of the cost he must pay.

Criminal Justice: Adhura Sach Stream on Disney+Hotstar

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