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Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Pankaj Tripathi doesn't believe his acting has a type: '10 paintings from a painter look similar from afar'
Pankaj Tripathi is Madhav Mishra once again. The actor has returned as the beloved lawyer for the fourth time in the new season of Criminal Justice. In a candid chat with Hindustan Times, the actor opens up about returning to the character and avoiding being typecast. The fourth season of Criminal Justice, titled A Family Matter, sees Madhav Mishra fighting his toughest case yet. Talking about returning to the familiar character, Pankaj says, "It is a bit like meeting an old friend, too, and also like remembering something you once studied." Ask him about how he makes sure the character does not fall prey to repetition, and Pankaj replies, 'That is all due to the writing. As an actor, you can pick the best available path to portray a character. There, as a choice, you can avoid the cliches and pandering to the audience.' Madhav Mishra is a role that he has played the most number of times on screen. But his critics argue that a little bit of Pankaj Tripathi in most roles he does. The actor addresses that and says, "There is a problem in our Hindi film industry that in the days of struggle, there is no work. There were 2-3-year periods between 2004 and 2012 when I did not even face a camera. I could not shoot. After that, I got some small roles, and slowly, I became bigger. A lot of offers came my way. Jab bhookh zyada lagi ho to over-eating karna sambhav hai (When you are famished, there is a possibility of over-eating). So, I overate. I did a lot of work. That creates the challenge of keeping things different. You try, that's all you can do." But he does not agree that all his roles are similar. "If you look at 10 paintings from one painter from afar, they look similar, because he has his own style. But the moment you go closer, you see minor differences. That is my effort too, to bring that minor difference," argues Pankaj, adding, "The important thing is to work less. But when you do a lot of work, my effort is not to lose my touch that the audience likes, but the characters still feel different." Criminal Justice: A Family Matter also stars Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen, Asha Negi, Khushboo Atre, Mita Vashisht, and Shweta Basu Prasad. The first three episodes of the season premiered on JioHotstar on May 29, with one releasing every week subsequently.
India Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Criminal Justice 4 review: Stellar Pankaj Tripathi cross-examines average legal drama
The new season of 'Criminal Justice 4' makes it even easier for you to believe in the God-like acting prowess of Pankaj Tripathi. He carries the story on his back and makes it to the finish line without panting or halting midway. But, just because he can, should he? Should he be carrying the weight of the story on his back and running solo in a race?advertisementIn 'Criminal Justice Season 4', Tripathi reprises his no-nonsense, everyman's man, defence lawyer, Madhav Mishra. He walks the talk as Mishra, and never lets you get bored. Mishra's dialogues about privilege background, trading one's dignity and the 'third player in a running match' provide the most amount of entertainment in the series. Only this time, you want more. Not from him, but from the season, aptly titled 'A Family Matter', features Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub as Dr Raj Nagpal and Surveen Chawla as his estranged wife, Anju Nagpal - both co-accused in the murder of a nurse, Roshni Saluja (Asha Negi). Saluja, a good-looking woman from a humble background, also happens to be the care-taker of the couple's daughter with special needs, and Nagpal's lover. One morning, as Anju enters her estranged husband's flat located right in front of hers, she finds her housekeeper standing shocked at the gate looking at a bloody Raj carrying Saluja's dead body. The hell breaks loose. One among them is the killer. But, it's neither easy to tell nor easy to investigate. At least for some time, though. advertisement The eight-episode series, out of which only three have been aired right now, tells the story from Mishra's eyes. While the women in the show leave a lasting impact, this is probably one rare series which treats Ayyub as nothing more than a plot device. For a layered actor like him, Dr Raj Nagpal becomes a half-baked character, lacking both the moral dilemma and shock of losing a Chawla and Negi become the assisting wheels in Tripathi's carriage, which keeps moving on a bumpy road. While Chawla's straight-faced performance exposes the pain and discomfort that Anju is dealing with, Negi successfully makes you empathise with her 'other woman' emotions. Khushboo Atre as Mishra's vivacious wife, Ratna, adds the perfect colours to an otherwise black-and-white legal it's not the performance that keeps you from calling it a full-blown, engaging legal drama. It's more to do with the story, which appears equal parts lethargic and see, the idea of a murder mystery is to leave you guessing till the very end. To make you wonder if the person you think has murdered the victim is the real murderer or not. And if you are able to crack the answer in a few episodes, then what are you even watching? So, while 'Criminal Justice Season 4' is not boring fluff, it doesn't offer a wholesome, gripping few scenes look immensely stretched, and a few others give you a deja vu from the previous seasons of the franchise. Once you are into it, you'll want to binge-watch until the end, but once you are at the end, the end will not look compelling enough. Or at least you'd feel like you want more from the show. 'Criminal Justice Season 4' is an average thriller-legal watch on OTT. But, Tripathi is not cut for average. In a show where he's rising above 100 per cent, the series itself has to land absolutely and perfectly well. At this pace, the series makes half-hearted efforts to impress you, and rests too heavily on Tripathi's dependable shoulders. A tighter plot, sharper tension and fuller character arcs would have made it a crown-worthy winner of the genre. Right now, it's just a hopeful contestant who fumbled lines at the audition and has been asked to try again next season.A case of a case which might not be a mistrial, but is too safe, predictable and lacks a historical judgment. -- The review was done after watching all eight episodes of the series.3 out of 5 stars to 'Criminal Justice Season 4' IN THIS STORY#Pankaj Tripathi
Mint
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Criminal Justice Season 4 public review: Fans annoyed by weekly episodes of Pankaj Tripathi's show: ‘Want justice'
Criminal Justice Season 4 public review: Pankaj Tripathi is back with the new season of his hit legal drama, Criminal Justice. Criminal Justice Season 4, A Family Matter, is now streaming on JioHotstar starting Thursday and social media is flooded with first impressions from the fans. While fans usually usually decide a show's fate within hours of its OTT premiere, this time it was different. Many were left frustrated and disappointed by the platform's new staggered release format. The show premiered on the OTT platform with only three episodes. Each new episode of the season will stream every Thursday. Many took to X, formerly Twitter and slammed JioHotstar for their new release format. A user wrote on the platform, 'Started watching Criminal Justice Season 4 — the mood was perfectly set. But after just three episodes, I realized... that's it? To the management of @JioHotstar and #CriminalJustice4 what kind of justice system drops just one episode every Thursday? Fans want Criminal Justice, not episodic torture!' 'Dear @JioHotstar, please release Criminal Justice Season 4's all episodes on the same day. This every week release method is so annoying. I haven't watched The Last of Us 2 yet still waiting for all episodes. I'll do the same for CJ4. Please (sic),' added another. One more user posted, 'It's tooo annoying that only 3 episodes released of Criminal Justice Season 4, this practice of @JioHotstar will kill the joy of binge-watch experience, please release all the episodes together (sic).' Yet another user said on the micro-blogging site: 'Can't you release all the episodes for a binge-watch @JioHotstar You are killing the Golden goose by releasing fewer episodes. In this day and time who has the patience to wait for a week?' Someone else also said, 'It's absolutely INFURIATING! Waited almost a YEAR for Criminal Justice Season 4, and now @JioHotstar and @ApplauseSocial are dragging it out even more?! Only 3 episodes released and then one episode every Thursday?! This is not how you treat loyal viewers!' Currently, only the first three episodes of Criminal Justice Season 4 are available on the OTT platform. They are titled-- 'A Birthday to Remember,' 'Buried Secrets,' and 'Quid pro quo.' The new season stars Pankaj Tripathi in his popular role as lawyer Madhav Mishra. It also has Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Surveen Chawla, Khushboo Atre and Asha Negi. The show is directed by Rohan Sippy and produced by Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
A Family Matters Season 4 Review {3.5/5}: Critic Review of Criminal Justice
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.
Scroll.in
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
‘Criminal Justice – A Family Matter' review: All in a day's work for Pankaj Tripathi's Madhav Mishra
Pankaj Tripathi's Madhav Mishra has gone from being one of the reasons to follow the Criminal Justice series to being the main attraction. The formidable lawyer, whose sangfroid comes wrapped in a steeliness forged by his humble origins, was introduced in the JioHotstar show's first season in 2019. In the fourth and latest season, Madhav is once again at the front and centre of the proceedings. In the third season from 2022, Madhav had moved from the back of a Maruti van into his own office. Vertical mobility awaits Madhav in Criminal Justice – A Family Matter. He is offered a position in a prestigious law firm. But before that, Madhav – part attorney and part detective – must solve the mystery of who has slashed a nurse's throat, and why. Roshni (Asha Negi) is found dead at the apartment of her lover, the surgeon Raj (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub). Although Raj is separated from his wife Anju (Surveen Chawla), they share parenting responsibilities of their Asperger's syndrome-affected daughter Ira (Khushi Bhardwaj). Raj is an instant suspect, as is Anju, who lives in the apartment across from Raj. Among the returning characters are the advocate Mandira (Mita Vashisht), public prosecutor Lekha (Shweta Basu Prasad) and police inspector Gauri (Kalyanee Mulay). Madhav's super-chirpy wife Ratna (Khushboo Atre) is back too, promoted from beauty parlour owner to unofficial paralegal – a contrivance that gives Ratna something to do in a show that doesn't really have room for her. Directed by Rohan Sippy – who also helmed the second and third editions – the Hindi-language A Family Matter is an improvement on its most recent, overwrought season. The latest eight-episode series is based on a story by Harman Wadala, Rahul Ved Prakash, Varsha Ramachandran and Riya Poojary, and a screenplay by Wadala, Sandeep Jain and Sameer Mishra. The themes include temptation – a partnership for Madhav, Roshni's unwise dalliance with Raj, the efforts of Lekha and Mandira to avenge their previous defeats by Madhav. Mandira dismisses Madhav as the 'fluke artist of the century'. There are some missteps for Madhav and his assistants Shivani (Barkha Singh) and Deep (Aatm Prakash Mishra) as they develop their defence. This being a legal drama with heavy lashings of a detective thriller, the focus is on the investigation rather than meaningful character development. Inspector Gauri pursues leads with eyeball-straining zeal, but she is no match for Madhav's Sherlockian laser gaze. The ample twists and red herrings provide a distraction from the lip service paid to 'justice for all'. Madhav's gradual entry into the upper reaches of society, coupled with Ratna's aspirational ways, allow a subtle class bias to creep into Criminal Justice. Larger questions of the meaning of justice for victims and perpetrators have been set aside for a jolly good time in Madhav Mishra's delightful company. The series has settled for mild fireworks inside the courtroom and light comedy outside it, chiefly emanating chiefly from Madhav's textbook Hindi-aided drollery. The most engrossing scenes revolve around the cross-examination of witnesses, which gives Madhav pause for thought – is his folksy approach always successful? This is the only extent to which Madhav grows as a character. Pankaj Tripathi is typically superb as Madhav, smoothly moving from self-deprecating wit to empathy. But the lack of a serious challenger to Madhav is glaring, despite impressive efforts by the advocates played by Shweta Basu Prasad and Mita Vashisht. The easy-going tone sobers up only in the presence of Surveen Chawla's murder accused. Chawla is excellent as Anju, whose personality has hidden layers and secrets. Chawla plays Anju with the right correct of gravitas and feeling, giving A Family Matter much-needed heft. Play
