Detective Sherdil, starring Diljit Dosanjh, tries hard to be a stylish murder mystery in the vein of Knives Out, but ends up being more style than substance. The real surprise here isn’t the identity of the killer—it’s the fact that Diljit himself hasn’t promoted the film much. His social media is full of posts for Sardaarji 3, but there’s barely a mention of Detective Sherdil. That alone makes you wonder about the film’s confidence in itself.
The Plot: A Murder in Broad Daylight
The story follows a quirky detective named Sherdil (played by Diljit Dosanjh), who is called in to solve the murder of a billionaire (played by Boman Irani). The twist? The murder happens in broad daylight, and the suspects are all members of the billionaire’s own family. There’s the cunning wife (Ratna Pathak Shah), a shady brother-in-law (Chunky Panday), a daughter (Banita Sandhu), and other suspicious characters, all of whom seem to be hiding something.
Looks Smart, But Isn’t That Sharp
Visually, Detective Sherdil looks great. The characters are well-dressed, the sets are glossy, and everything looks like a high-budget mystery. But beneath the surface, the story is weak. It pretends to be clever but doesn’t offer anything new. There’s a trend in Bollywood lately to copy the Knives Out format—rich person dies, quirky detective arrives, everyone is a suspect. We’ve seen similar setups in Neeyat and even Housefull 5. Sadly, Detective Sherdil doesn’t bring anything fresh to the table.
A Detective With Style, But Not Much Skill
Diljit Dosanjh tries to bring charm and humor to his role. He cracks jokes, walks with swagger, and occasionally tries to speak directly to the audience (almost breaking the fourth wall). But none of this helps him become a convincing detective. His analysis of the crime scene and the suspects feels shallow, and the big reveal isn’t very shocking or clever. It’s all quite predictable.
Supporting Cast Holds It Together
While the lead performance struggles, some of the supporting cast adds value. Boman Irani brings energy to his role, even in limited screen time. Ratna Pathak Shah is solid as always. Chunky Panday plays the mysterious brother-in-law well, and Diana Penty, as a serious detective working with Sherdil, does a decent job.
Short and Sweet, But Still Falls Flat
One good thing about Detective Sherdil is its short runtime—it wraps up in under two hours, so it doesn’t overstay its welcome. However, the story moves in a straight line with no real twists or surprises, making it feel flat.
Detective Sherdil: Glossy But Forgettable
Detective Sherdil is a visually polished film that tries to be a smart murder mystery but lacks the depth, suspense, and clever writing that such a story needs. It may be fun to watch for the style and Diljit’s charm, but if you’re looking for a gripping whodunit, this one might leave you disappointed.
