Story

Sanyukta Das (Konkona Sen Sharma), a middle-aged, battle-hardened cop, is on the verge of taking a long-awaited sabbatical to mend her strained ties with her husband Bheesham (Dhruv Segal) and teenage daughter Mahi. But just before signing off, she is handed one last case – the suspicious death of Naina, a bright college-going student. As her replacement, a brash young recruit jai Kanwal (Surya Sharma) steps in, eager to prove himself but often rubbing Sanyukta the wrong way.

What begins as a seemingly straightforward case soon spirals into a web involving a toxic ex, online incels, a ‘friendly’ teacher with secrets, a deepfake scandal, and Tushar Surve (Shiv Panditt), a politician fighting an election campaign while hiding more than he lets on. With her personal life tugging at her, an ageing mother haunted by the past, and a feisty daughter challenging her authority, Sanyukta must solve the case while also confronting her own emotional dilemmas.

Performances

Konkona Sen Sharma anchors the series with her trademark precision. She captures Sanyukta’s three shades—an uncompromising cop, a lonely soul wrestling with moral dilemmas, and a guilt-ridden mother—with flair. The performance never feels theatrical; instead, it’s grounded and layered, elevating even predictable beats.

Surya Sharma shines as Jai, playing the cocky recruit who thinks he knows it all but still respects the senior he clashes with. His chemistry with Konkona, especially in their playful-yet-serious ego battles, brings much-needed spark to the grim setting.

Shiv Panditt, as Tushar Surve, wears an aura of mystery but his role feels slightly underwritten, leaving more to be desired. shraddha das is a spunky surprise in a smaller but impactful role, while dhruv Segal, cast against type, delivers believability as Bheesham, the husband caught in the crossfire of duty and family.

Technicalities

The series is technically sharp without being flashy. Pranaay’s score works as an invisible pulse—never overwhelming but always shaping the right mood. Murzy Pagdiwala’s cinematography captures both the shadows of crime and the emotional turbulence of domestic life with finesse. abhishek Seth’s editing employs clever transitions that prevent monotony in an otherwise procedural-heavy narrative. Amarbir Singh Bajwa’s casting choices bring freshness to the ensemble. Action is kept minimal, but the drama itself sustains the tension.

Analysis

Adapted from the acclaimed Danish series The Killing, Rohan Sippy’s Search doesn’t reinvent the wheel but smartly localises the template. The show doesn’t just rely on the murder mystery hook but uses it as a lens to explore larger issues—male entitlement, systemic corruption, family fractures, and generational conflicts.

What stands out is how the investigation bleeds into Sanyukta’s home life. As she digs into Naina’s story, she is forced to confront her own daughter’s fiery independence, her husband’s frustrations, and her mother’s fears about police life destroying families. This layering gives the show a richness beyond its case-of-the-week premise.

While the show hits all the familiar beats of a procedural—suspects lined up one after the other, red herrings, political meddling—it never drags. Instead, it grows more immersive as character flaws and social commentaries come to the forefront. That said, the climax feels a little compromised, clearly structured to tee up a second season rather than delivering a wholly satisfying resolution.

What Works

• 
  • Konkona Sen Sharma’s nuanced, commanding performance

• • Engaging dynamic between senior cop and rookie recruit

• • Smart balance of personal drama and procedural investigation

• • Effective localisation of The Killing with relevant indian context

• • Strong technical departments (editing, cinematography, background score)

What Doesn’t Work

• • Politician subplot feels underdeveloped

• • Predictable beats for seasoned crime-drama viewers

• • Climax sacrifices closure for sequel setup

• • Some supporting characters deserved more fleshing out

Bottom Line

Search – The naina Murder Case is a taut, no-nonsense cop drama that doesn’t sensationalise its subject. Instead, it builds tension through character depth, layered writing, and restrained storytelling. Even if the mystery feels familiar, the execution and performances—especially Konkona Sen Sharma’s—make it compelling. It may not break new ground, but it does enough to keep you hooked and invested in what’s to come.

Rating

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)

Percentage Meter: 72% – A solid, grounded crime drama that thrives on character depth more than twists.