Year: 2004
Runtime: 130 mins
Language: Hindi
Director: Anurag Basu
Bound to a secure yet suffocating marriage with work‑aholic Sudhir, lonely housewife Simran seeks excitement by rekindling a romance with Sunny, an old college boyfriend. Sudhir’s growing suspicion leads him to hire a private detective, and the secret affair is soon exposed, threatening their lives.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Murder (2004), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The film opens with a chilling, unsettling scene: a woman in a man’s clothes tries to lure a man, only for him to turn violent and kill her. This early moment sets the tone for a story that threads crime, fear, and moral conflict through a web of uneasy relationships.
Arjun Bhagwat is introduced as a money-driven ex-cop who moves through the criminal underworld with ease. He lives with a stark contradiction: he denies faith yet quietly supports orphans by donating at a church. At the church, he crosses paths with Priya, a model who becomes entangled in a casual, no-strings-attached relationship with him. She shares her growing feelings, hoping for something more, but Arjun is blunt about his stance: love and commitment aren’t on his agenda, and he urges Priya to seek someone who can offer what she desires.
Meanwhile, the opening victim’s body is discarded by the killer at a well surrounded by the remains of other women, a visual reminder of the danger lurking behind this city’s surface. The tension deepens as Arjun partners with a gangster turned fixer, Sameer, to unravel the mysterious disappearances of several prostitutes. His investigative instinct leads him to a phone number tied to the vanished women, and he instructs Sameer to send a new recruit—Reshma, a college student who has stepped into the sex trade to support her family, though she keeps this hardship from her loved ones.
Reshma is delivered to the home of Dheeraj Pandey, a psychopathic killer who tortures and murders the missing women, including Jyoti, who is killed at the film’s outset. This terrifying truth hits Arjun when he discovers the killer’s brutal pattern. He informs the police, but the danger isn’t over. Dheeraj is briefly jailed, then released thanks to influence from Nirmala Pandit. In the meantime, a psychiatrist, Dr. Sania, is brought in to coax a confession from Dheeraj.
Reshma’s escape from the well propels her through a perilous forest as she fights for survival. Arjun’s investigation leads him to Dheeraj’s circle: the killer’s family reveals a history of abuse, and he crosses paths with a private dancer, Sonia, who was also tortured by Dheeraj but managed to break free. An idol-maker who once worked with Dheeraj adds another layer to the enigma, explaining that the killer once crafted idols of devils rather than deities and even killed the factory owner who tried to stop him.
As the search intensifies, Inspector Sadaa updates Arjun on a troubling development: Dheeraj has been released, and the police are racing to locate him before more harm is done. The pursuit pushes into a temple where Reshma is hiding, aided by a priest and Nirmala who are unaware of Dheeraj’s true nature. Tragically, the priest dies after revealing Reshma’s presence, and Dheeraj finally discovers her hiding place. Reshma’s fear culminates in a horrific moment as she urinates in terror when she sees him, and Dheeraj brutally murders her, slipping away just as Arjun and the police near the scene.
The aftermath leaves Arjun shattered, staring at Reshma’s lifeless body and wrestling with guilt and responsibility for what happened to her. The hunt for Dheeraj turns to Priya, who becomes his next target under the guise of a photo shoot. Arjun intervenes, saving her in a tense confrontation that draws in the authorities. Dheeraj plays back the torturing tape he recorded of Reshma, and the sound of her pleas torments Arjun, driving him to a violent fury. In a pivotal moment, he lunges at Dheeraj, stabbing him repeatedly until Inspector Sadaa intervenes and, after witnessing the killer’s sadistic nature, ultimately shoots him to end his reign of terror.
The film closes on a somber but redemptive note: Arjun visits a church with Priya, a gesture that signals a possible shift in his beliefs and priorities. The near-death of Priya has stirred something within him, hinting at a future where faith and love may guide his path away from the criminal life he once led. The ending leaves viewers with a sense of hard-won realization, duty, and the fragile possibility of forgiveness.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:35
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Jaded investigators confront brutal crimes that challenge their own morality.If you liked the dark investigative journey in Murder, explore more movies featuring disillusioned detectives and heavy crime stories. These films often share a somber tone, steady pacing, and a focus on the moral conflict faced by those hunting killers in a bleak urban landscape.
The narrative typically follows a linear investigative path, driven by a series of crimes. The protagonist's personal flaws or past trauma are often intertwined with the case, creating a character arc that is as much about internal redemption as it is about external justice. The conclusion frequently leaves scars, with victory feeling pyrrhic.
Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the grim reality of criminal investigations, the psychological depth of the lead investigator, and a consistent tone of somber suspense. They deliver a similar experience of following a complex case while grappling with heavy themes.
Hidden affairs and growing suspicions shatter the facade of a normal life.For viewers who enjoyed the tense dynamic of a crumbling marriage in Murder, this section collects similar thrillers about infidelity, secrets, and dangerous lies between partners. These movies create suspense from domestic settings, featuring steady pacing and a dark, gritty tone.
The plot often begins with a character seeking escape or excitement outside their stifling relationship, which triggers a chain reaction of suspicion and investigation. The narrative is driven by dual perspectives—the secret-keeper and the one uncovering the truth—leading to a confrontation that threatens everyone's safety and sanity.
These films are united by their central theme of dangerous secrets within intimate relationships. They share a specific kind of suspense that is psychological and personal, creating a relatable yet harrowing sense of dread as familiar domesticity becomes a battlefield.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Murder in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Murder is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Murder with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Murder. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Murder that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Murder: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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