House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths Story :-
I was in search of a gripping horror story to watch, and “House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths” on Netflix delivered exactly what I was looking for. Even after watching it, I still feel chills running down my spine. However, I wouldn’t recommend watching it right before bedtime, as the haunting images will linger in your mind. I had to pause and resume the next afternoon for my own sanity.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 8 October 2021 |
| Language | Hindi, English, Punjabi |
| Genre | Crime, Documentary |
| Episodes | 3 |
| Director | Leena Yadav, Anubhav Chopra |
| Music | A.R. Rahman, Qutub-E-Kripa |
| Producer | Aseem Bajaj, James Haygood, Yogendra Mogre, Katherine Leblond |
| Production | Netflix |
| Certificate | 18+ |
The director did an excellent job with the zoom-ins and the creepy music, creating a truly eerie atmosphere. Even the throwback videos of the family celebrating together felt unsettling knowing what fate awaited them, especially when observing Lalit’s blank expressions, who was considered the patriarch of the family.
“House of Secrets: The Burari Deaths” is a Netflix docuseries released on October 8th, 2021. Consisting of three parts, each episode is approximately 40 minutes long. The series delves into the tragic mass murder-suicide of a family of 11 in Delhi, India, which occurred just three years ago in 2018. It thoroughly examines the truth and various theories surrounding the deaths of the family members.
Even before delving deep into the first episode, it became apparent to me that the family wasn’t murdered, at least not by an outsider. The circumstances surrounding the deaths, including the simultaneous demise of 11 individuals in the same room without any external disturbance or signs of forced entry, raised suspicions. Surveillance footage even captured the family purchasing the supplies used in their demise. Despite being a beloved family in their community, the shocking incident sparked outrage and disbelief, nearly inciting riots.
My suspicions intensified concerning Lalit when it was revealed that his hands weren’t fully bound like the others, suggesting a collaborative effort in tying each other up. The presence of the grandmother lying on the floor beside the bed initially puzzled me, but this mystery was soon elucidated.
While numerous wild conspiracy theories circulated about what transpired and why, the incident was eventually declared an accidental death/murder. Based on the evidence presented, I found myself concurring with this ruling, though the story remained profoundly tragic. The family’s hidden secrets ultimately led to their demise. Had Lalit received the psychiatric and medical attention he needed, or if one of them had confided in a friend or family member, they might still be alive today. The stigma surrounding mental health issues in certain cultures and families often prevents individuals from seeking help, which is regrettable.
The mass murder-suicide was a culmination of unresolved trauma, mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia, the desire for control, brainwashing, and a distorted perception of religion and spirituality. Lalit’s conviction that God or “Daddy” would save them and their belief that they would untie each other at the end of the ritual are both mind-boggling and heartbreaking. The presence of young children among the victims added to the tragedy, as they had their whole lives ahead of them. Lastly, I believe Lalit deliberately stopped talking, rather than losing his voice involuntarily.
If you happen to watch this documentary, I’d love to hear your thoughts. This was undeniably one of the most shocking crime documentaries I’ve seen in a long time, if not ever.
