Director: Anushree Mehta
Cast: Radhika Apte, Sumeet Vyas, Rajesh Sharma, Angana Roy, Laboni Sarkar, Amrita Chattopadhyay, Indrasish Roy, Biswajit Chakraborty, Saheb Chatterjee
Rating – 2
 
Mrs. Undercover, directed by Anushree Mehta and featuring Radhika Apte and Sumeet Vyas in lead roles, presents itself as an action-comedy but begins on a somewhat disturbing note. The opening scene, portraying a Common Man (Sumeet Vyas) repeatedly running over a girl, sets a dark tone with unsettling sounds of crunching bones and groans of pain. The film then traverses a confusing blend of reality and absurdity, making it challenging for the viewer to discern the difference between the two.
 
The narrative takes the audience through a series of scenarios, ranging from an attempt on a minister's life to the challenges of cheating husbands and a child's unit tests. As Durga (Radhika Apte) faces various perils, the film attempts to inject moments of fun and humor, often accompanied by exaggerated Bengali accents. However, the execution of the storyline fails to establish a meaningful connection with the audience, lacking the sharpness seen in other films portraying female spies going undercover, such as "Raazi."
 
There are echoes of déjà vu, reminiscent of films like "Badshaah" and certain scenes from a Srijit Mukherji film. While a strong supporting cast, including Rajesh Sharma as chief Rangeela, attempts to salvage the film, the narrative swings wildly between terrifying scenes and predictable tropes. Despite his efforts, Sharma's character lacks a compelling backstory, leaving the audience unconvinced. Shaheb Chattopadhyay, as Durga's chauvinist husband Dev, delivers a convincing performance, and Laboni Sarkar as her mother-in-law adds a sweet touch. Sumeet Vyas, as the antagonist Common Man, shows promise initially but fails to maintain audience engagement until the end.
 
While "Mrs. Undercover" has moments of hilarity, the lack of convincing backstories and true detection in a drama about a secret agent hampers its potential. Radhika Apte's performance feels routine, and in the latter part of the story, the film gives off the impression of preaching to a somewhat dated audience.
 
In conclusion, "Mrs. Undercover" falls short of realizing its potential, with a confusing narrative and a mix of tones that may leave viewers grappling to connect with the film's intended humor and espionage elements.