Detective Sherdil is the kind of film that walks into the room wearing a bright trench coat, flashes a wink, and says, “I’ve cracked the case!” You want to believe it, especially when the detective is played by someone as charming as Diljit Dosanjh. But very quickly, you start to realise—maybe that trench coat is doing all the heavy lifting. The film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah, Diana Penty, Sumeet Vyas, Banita Sandhu, Arjun Tanwar, and Chunky Pandey.
Directed by Ravi Chhabriya and streaming now on ZEE5, Detective Sherdil tries to be a fun, flashy murder mystery with an offbeat lead, a rich family full of secrets, and a scenic European setting. It gets some things right. But as a full package? It stumbles more than it shines.
Detective Sherdil Story
The story begins with telecom tycoon Pankaj Bhatti (played by Boman Irani) being murdered in broad daylight in Budapest. Naturally, all eyes are on his quirky and shady family—including his icy wife Rajeshwari (Ratna Pathak Shah), loud and spoiled son Angad (Sumeet Vyas), his deaf-mute daughter Shanti (Banita Sandhu), and an oddly philosophical brother-in-law, Bodhi (Chunky Panday).
To make things even more bizarre, Bhatti’s will leaves most of his fortune to his daughter’s boyfriend-slash-accountant, Purvak, and a good chunk to the family dog. Yes, really. When Purvak suddenly goes missing, things spiral into full-blown chaos.
Presenting Sherdil (Diljit Dosanjh), a proudly eccentric detective with a pocket harmonica and an inflated ego. He is paired with Natasha (played by Diana Penty), a tough cop who has to work with Sherdil even though it’s obvious that she doesn’t find his antics funny. They explore the complex network of secrets, motivations, and ridiculous family drama together.
Detective Sherdil Review
Let’s start with the good. Detective Sherdil is undeniably stylish. The film looks amazing, from the colorful streets of Budapest to its snappy editing and entertaining visual effects. It keeps your attention on the screen by experimenting with angles, fast cuts, and frames that resemble graphic novels.
But here’s the thing: beneath all that polish, the actual mystery feels… light. The plot has potential—a dead billionaire, strange heirs, suspicious family members—but the script is more interested in showing off than slowing down. The tension is never really allowed to build. Instead, it alternates between unexpected scenes a lot, sometimes forgetting that this is supposed to be a whodunit.
One minute you are watching a serious investigation, and the next you are listening to a harmonica playing in the middle of a murder scene. Despite its intended humor and originality, it feels out of place. The film clearly strives for cleverness, but rather than leaving us to decipher clues or be taken aback by revelations, it throws everything at us at once.
You will laugh a few times. The conversations do have flair, and some of Sherdil’s one-liners are actually entertaining. The main problem with the film, though, is that it makes such an effort to be “cool and quirky” that it loses sight of intelligence.
Detective Sherdil Performance
There is no doubt that Diljit Dosanjh is a fabulous star, and that much is clear. He commands the screen with assurance and radiates charm for days. His version of Sherdil, however, is so ostentatious-so loud, so exaggerated—that it eventually exhausts you. Even in scenes that require a certain amount of stillness, he never stops trying to be humorous.
Diana Penty is the calm in this storm. She plays Natasha with quiet strength, though the film doesn’t give her much to do. Their partnership could’ve been something special, but it never really took off.
The supporting cast is solid. Ratna Pathak Shah is elegant and sharp. Sumeet Vyas breaks away from his usual ‘nice guy’ image and leans into the bratty heir role. Banita Sandhu, despite not having lines, delivers a graceful performance. Arjun Tanwar as Purvak is surprisingly moving. Boman Irani, though limited by screen time, adds weight to the story.
Final Verdict
Detective Sherdil resembles an attractive puzzle with some missing pieces. It has a charming lead, flair, and humor, but the mystery isn’t very sharp, and the humor isn’t always spot-on. It’s not uninteresting, but it’s also not the sharp, humorous mystery it aims to be. If you want something lively, fun, and a little silly, give it a try.
Just don’t expect a masterclass in detective storytelling. With a tighter script and more balance, this could’ve been a great franchise opener. It is currently a stylish but only partially successful experiment.
Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5/5)
Where to Watch: Streaming now on ZEE5
Seen Detective Sherdil already? Did you love Diljit’s quirky take or find it too much? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | X |
Youtube | Pinterest | Google News |
Cinetales is on YouTube; click here to subscribe for the latest videos and updates.
