A Family Matters Season 4 Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Criminal Justice

Time of India

29-05-2025

Story: Season 4 sees Madhav Mishra (Pankaj Tripathi) take on a challenging case involving a passionate love affair that ends in murder. As courtroom drama unfolds, Madhav faces two fierce legal opponents. With his trademark wit and empathy, he unravels buried secrets to uncover the truth in an intense battle for justice.
Review: The fourth season of Criminal Justice, titled A Family Matter, reaffirms the franchise's formula—anchored by Pankaj Tripathi's unshakable presence—while taking some new thematic detours into familial trauma, mental health, and the complexity of truth. Directed by Rohan Sippy and penned by a writing team that includes Harman Wadala, Sandeep Jain, and Sameer Mishra, this eight-episode series delivers an engaging courtroom drama that, while flawed in places, remains compelling throughout.
The story opens with the tragic death of Roshini Saluja (Asha Negi), found blood-soaked in the arms of Dr. Raj Nagpal (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub), who quickly becomes the prime suspect. Roshini—caretaker to Raj's daughter Ira (Khushi Bhardwaj), a child with Asperger's syndrome—was also his lover. With Raj's estranged wife Anju (Surveen Chawla) convinced of his innocence, she turns to Madhav Mishra (Tripathi), the everyman lawyer with a sharp mind and empathetic core, to defend him.
From this setup unfolds a dual narrative: one that examines Raj's complex personal relationships, and another that delves into the realities of raising a neurodivergent child. These intertwined threads provide a rich emotional backdrop to the legal mystery, even as the narrative occasionally loses momentum.
Pankaj Tripathi remains the franchise's biggest asset. His portrayal of Madhav Mishra is sharp, empathetic, and laced with subtle humour—once again breathing life into courtroom procedures that might otherwise feel dry. As he puts it, 'Hum wahi karenge jo humara kaam hai — defence,' a line that aptly sums up his unwavering commitment to his role. His chemistry with his assistants—Barkha Singh and Aatm Prakash Mishra—adds warmth and levity to the otherwise grim proceedings. Khushboo Atre, playing Madhav's wife, delivers well-timed comic relief while also emerging as an unexpected pillar of support in his legal battle.
Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub delivers a grounded performance as a man caught between guilt, grief, and injustice. Surveen Chawla stands out in emotionally heavy scenes, portraying Anju's inner turmoil with restraint and poise. Khushi Bhardwaj, in her limited role as Ira, is convincing and brings authenticity to her portrayal of a child on the autism spectrum. Asha Negi, while sincere in her portrayal of Roshini, is let down by a thinly written character arc—her romantic progression with Raj feels rushed and lacks emotional payoff.
Among the legal players, Shweta Basu Prasad and Mita Vashisht bring strength and credibility to their opposing roles, creating a compelling courtroom dynamic that feels less like theatrical drama and more like a tense chess game. As the investigating officer, Gauri Karmakar is convincingly portrayed by Kalyanee Mulay, who leaves no stone unturned in proving she's a sharp, no-nonsense cop with a keen sense of justice.
Rohan Sippy maintains a steady hand throughout the eight-part series, choosing a restrained, character-centric approach, avoiding sensationalism in favour of emotional depth and realism. The writing team deserves credit for attempting to weave complex issues—infidelity, parenting a special-needs child, and the grey areas of marriage and morality—into a legal thriller format. However, the pacing is occasionally uneven, especially in the middle episodes, where emotional subplots stall the narrative momentum.
Still, the slow-burn approach allows viewers to absorb the emotional undercurrents behind each character's choices. The final episodes effectively build courtroom tension, with well-argued confrontations that challenge assumptions and shift perspectives.
Criminal Justice: A Family Matter may not be the most suspenseful or fast-paced installment in the franchise, but it builds steadily—valuing insight over spectacle—and offers a mature reflection on justice amid fractured relationships and unspoken wounds. While it lacks the relentless thrills of earlier seasons, it surpasses Adhura Sach in both narrative cohesion and emotional depth.
If you've followed previous seasons of Criminal Justice, you're already familiar with its signature style: layered characters, grounded storytelling, and the enduring charm of Pankaj Tripathi—all of which make this season well worth your time.