The Stoneman Murders

The Stoneman Murders

Year: 2009

Runtime: 95 mins

Language: Hindi

Director: Manish Gupta

CrimeThrillers and murder mysteriesSuspenseful crime thrillersIntriguing and suspenseful murder mysteriesNoir and dark crime dramas

In 1980s Bombay, a serial killer starts targeting homeless street dwellers, whilst a suspended police officer attempts to solve the case.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Stoneman Murders (2009)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Stoneman Murders (2009). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Mid-1980s (1983-1987)

The film centers on the Stoneman killings that span the early to late 1980s, with specific incidents and an eventual reveal unfolding around 1983 and 1987. The city’s police forces operate under pressure, and the timeline tracks rapid night-time murders on the streets of Bombay. The closing montage hints at cross-city influence, linking Mumbai to Calcutta years later.

Location

Mumbai (Bombay), Calcutta, Kusumi Village

The story unfolds across Mumbai’s crowded streets and derelict corners, painting a city where beggars sleep on sidewalks and night patrols struggle to keep pace. Calcutta is referenced as a future site of killings, hinting at a broader reach beyond Mumbai. Kamble’s village, associated with the Kusumi Tribe, provides a contrast to urban crime and introduces a ritualistic undertone to the killer’s methods.

🏙️ Urban city 🗺️ Indian setting 🌃 Street life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:33

Main Characters – The Stoneman Murders (2009)

Meet the key characters of The Stoneman Murders (2009), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sanjay Shelar

A suspended sub-inspector seeking reinstatement who operates outside formal channels to hunt the Stoneman. His personal stake deepens as his private investigation strains his relationship with his wife and colleagues. He is relentless, resourceful, and morally driven, yet his methods invite danger and ethical ambiguity.

🕵️‍♂️ Determined 🧭 Relentless ⚖️ Ethical conflict 💪 Protective

Kamble

A trusted cop who appears to aid Sanjay but is ultimately revealed as the Stoneman, manipulating the investigation and using a decoy to roam the streets. His dual life culminates in a confrontation that exposes a lethal, calculated persona masked by police loyalty. He is finally confronted and buried by Sanjay under orders.

🗡️ Dual life 🧭 Deceit 🔍 Manipulative 🧩 Calculating

AIG Satam

Sanjay's superior who publicly supports the investigation yet quietly arranges to hush up the case to protect reputations and avoid scandal. He embodies institutional protectionism and the politics of silence that hinder justice. His stance underscores the systemic barriers faced by investigators.

🏢 Authority 🤐 Silence 🕳️ Corruption 🔒 Secrets

Inspector Kedar Phadke

The official investigator who clashes with Sanjay and pursues his own line of inquiry. He becomes entangled in the broader cover-up and ultimately participates in the decision to keep the case quiet. His posture embodies procedural rivalry and the pressure to conform.

🕵️‍♂️ Rivalry 🏛️ Authority 🎭 Deception 🧭 Strategy

Mohammed (cab driver)

An ex-convict used as a decoy by the police to roam the streets at night, becoming a pawn in the city’s deadly cat-and-mouse games. His role highlights how vulnerable individuals can be exploited within investigative politics. The summary notes him as a decoy rather than a killer.

🎭 Manipulation 🗺️ Undercover ⚖️ Exploitation 🧭 Instrument

Manali

Sanjay's wife, who becomes a focal point of concern as danger encroaches on their home. She is drawn into the personal dimension of the case, choosing to leave for safety and later supporting Sanjay during his injury and struggle. Her loyalty marks the human cost of the pursuit.

💞 Family 🏠 Safety 🤝 Support 💪 Resilience

The Stoneman

The killer terrorizing Mumbai’s streets, depicted as a policeman from the Kusumi Tribe performing tantric rituals that demand human sacrifices. The character embodies a nightmarish fusion of authority and ritual cruelty. The twist reveals that Kamble is the Stoneman, closing the circle of deception.

🗡️ Killer identity 🕉️ Ritual 🕷️ Hidden identity 👁️ Deception

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:33

Major Themes – The Stoneman Murders (2009)

Explore the central themes of The Stoneman Murders (2009), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Obsession

Sanjay's drive to prove himself drives him into unofficial investigations, blurring lines between duty and personal vendetta. His pursuit of the Stoneman becomes an all-consuming mission that tests ethics and judgment. The film uses this obsession to explore the costs of taking justice into one’s own hands.

🕷️ Corruption

Powerful figures in the police hierarchy manipulate the case, preferring silence and a controlled narrative over truth. Satam and Phadke work to hush the matter while the killer continues to operate, revealing how institutional protection can shield criminals. The narrative shows corruption as a systemic obstacle to genuine justice.

😨 Fear

The city becomes a living entity of fear as innocent street sleepers fall prey to a nocturnal killer. The public’s sense of safety erodes, and private anxieties force characters to reassess loyalty and risk. Fear drives the characters to act—some to protect, others to conceal.

🗝️ Deception

The killer's identity is masked by a web of deceptions, including decoys and false leads that derail the investigation. The truth surfaces only when hidden motives and false pretenses collide, revealing a shocking double life. The film emphasizes how appearances can mislead even seasoned detectives.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:33

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The Stoneman Murders Summary

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The Stoneman Murders Timeline

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The Stoneman Murders Timeline

The Stoneman Murders Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Stoneman Murders Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Stoneman Murders

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