The biggest factor that makes a mystery hit is the guessing game, and with Netflix’s latest offering, ‘Shaque: Trust No One’, the series makes a strong attempt to keep that factor alive. Its poignant narrative of a mother grieving her missing child strikes the emotional chords, while the layered characters and twists make it an engaging, engrossing, and deeply felt experience.
The Familiar Plotline
The story begins with Anvita Dutt (Parineeti Chopra) giving birth to her first child, daughter Apeksha. Soon everything changes as Apeksha goes missing, leaving Anvita devastated. While Anvita’s husband, Alok (Tahir Raj Bhasin), looks concerned as he searches for his lost daughter, his behavior—trying to hide something underneath- raises eyebrows.
In a bizarre turn of events, the couple still marks their daughter’s first birthday, only to receive a deeply unsettling photograph of Apeksha as a “gift”. Nine years later, Anvita is still trapped in trauma. Just as she is on the verge of giving up all hope, Inspector Khurana hands her a vital clue to resume the search—setting the stage for a chaotic web of suspense and psychological drama.
Direction, Craft And More
Written and directed by Rensil D’Silva, the mystery thriller perfectly captures the essence of a mother longing for her daughter, whom she lost soon after giving birth. The series wastes no time introducing its core theme and, as the title suggests, points fingers at every character: “Shaque”.
The 7-episode drama is packed with suspense, emotion, and a guessing game throughout, keeping interest alive as you try to figure out what comes next. One key factor is that the series maintains its pace and introduces new twists just when we think we have finally found the culprit.
The background score is well set in Shimla; the characters beautifully portray the lifestyle of those living there. Visually, the series looks good.
While the series traces a similar mother-daughter narrative like Netflix’s recently released film Gandhari, it still impresses with its execution. However, while we feel the twists land well, the storyline could have been a bit stronger.
Performances
Parineeti Chopra: She is the heart of the series, marking her strong comeback. As Anvita, a mother who lost her child right after giving birth, the actress allows the audience to feel her trauma, confusion, and maternal pain vividly.
Tahir Raj Bhasin: Playing Alok, Tahir masterfully crafts a frustratingly enigmatic character. He plays the part with absolute sincerity, balancing his character’s layered, suspicious personality with ease.
Jennifer Winget: Known for her powerful roles, the actress shines yet again. As Sakshi, she looks sweet yet full of mystery. Watching her act is always a delight. Also, this makes her presence one of the absolute highlights of the show.
Harleen Sethi: As Shreya, Harleen excels in a morally ambiguous role that keeps viewers guessing whether she is an ally or a foe.
Soni Razdan: She is a surprise as Madhu. maneuvers through the background, eventually making a powerful difference in how the narrative unfolds.
Anup Soni: As the inspector, he plays a crucial part and stands out.
Sumeet Vyas and Nassir Khan further elevate the series, making it a tightly knit thriller.
Overall, ‘Shaque: Trust No One’ is a worthy watch despite its familiar elements, anchored by strong performances, emotion, and an addictive guessing game.
Our Editorial Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
