Feludar Goyendagiri

The iconic character Pradosh Chandra Mitra alias Feluda created by none but Satyajit Ray takes one to the boyhood days and the thrill and excitement of the childhood days. Among the detective characters created by several renowned writers in Bengali, Feluda has been most impacting. This is what the mastery of Ray as a writer who opened a new door of literature for children in Bengali which became trend-setter in Indian literature as well. Ray's mastery of characterization and the unique thematic appeal make his detective novels so unique. Mere utterance of the name of Feluda projects a smart young man, very clever, well-versed in different languages, in-depth knowledge and the inimitable style and trajectory smoking, thinking and having great sense of humour.

Several actors have performed the role of Feluda, his cousin Topshe and the detective novelist Lalmohan Ganguly alias Jatayu so far. The saga starting from Saumitra Chatterjee has been continuing till date. But the second season, titled 'Feludar Goyendagiri': Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr' directed by Srijit Mukherjee has some unique characteristics. One is obviously the effort to make it relevant in today's context. The action goes on in Kashmir and web series refers to insurgency and other issues to make it more relevant. But this is really hard to say whether Ray referred such sensitive issues in the original writing. Nevertheless, as these do not seem alienated from the crime story, the narrative should be credited. Similarly, the direction seems really good in the Second Season Bhuswargo Bhoyonkawr.

However, the credit definitely goes to Tota Roy Chaudhury for his brilliant performance in the role of Feluda. In fact, Tota Roy Chaudhury has enacted this character with far more perfection compared to others. Similarly, Anirban Chakraborty is excellent as usual. But the talent like Rajatava Dutta does not seem to get that much space to show talent. Anyway, the Web Series is excellent and much watch one for the youngsters.

How could anyone kill the beauty of Darjeeling with so much sepia tone! Chhinomostar Obhishaap atleast had warm colour palette. Even Hoichoi's Shobdo Jobdo or Murder in the Hills had beautiful cinematography. But this?

Also Shaheb's fake beard was so fake looking. Atrocious. Tota looks good but still doesn't have what it takes to be Feluda. Forced comedy by Jatayu was done too much. Also had pacing issues in middle episodes. Srijit Mukherji couldn't create the ambience needed for this story. This might be one of the weakest work in the Feluda legacy along with Parambrata's Feluda and Bangladesh' take on Feluda.

Feluda is not just a name, Feluda is an emotion which only the fanatics can relate to. Over the years there were many movies on Feluda with some new twists here, some new additions to the story there, some parts omitted from the books, and terrible side casts. But Sabyasachi made the movies work. He was nowhere near the Feluda Satyajit Ray drew, but he was the Feluda he wrote. The charisma Soumitra and Sabyasachi brought to screen as Feluda is really hard to match and Tota had a huge responsibility to fill in the shoe. When i saw him as Feluda the first time, i was pleasantly surprised cause he does resemble young Sabyasachi and he has been in the previous Feluda movies. But then i saw Chinnomostar Obhishap and royally disappointed with his performance. It was so stoic and unemotional, his nervousness for the role showed throughout the series.

Then came Darjeeling Jomjomat. As someone mentioned in his/her review that the fanatics already know the story, so what matters most is the execution. Tota RC was more at ease this time around and i liked the Jatayu & Topshe. Some might find Jatayu overacting but no one can top Shaheb in that department. The guy who was Topshe once upon a time came back as a villain and delivered such a sub-par performance. I liked this Pulok Ghoshal better than the ones in Sandip Ray's movies. In the book, Jatayu mentions Pulok as chokra, some young guy. So this casting was better than those ancient Pulok Sandip Ray cast. The story telling through Sepia tone was a nice touch. And it was a straight story just like the book, no fantasy addition which Mr. Srijit likes to incorporate in most of his films and ruin them. So i am very surprised he managed to make something decent.

But this series wasn't without any faults. The worst thing was the theme song. It was like a cheerleading song for Feluda. It should have played only once in the first episode, not in all 6 of them. The background score when Feluda did find some clue or saying something intelligent, very annoying. The makeup for Tota RC in places were so heavy, especially in one shot when he was standing near a window and sunlight falling on his face, the make up looked like it was melting. The wigs used in the series looked so fake that u can say it's fake. Shaheb got the worst deal. Lip sync was below average, especially for the Police guy. Also Tota bro. And that shot with the leopard was so unnecessary, what can i say.

Yes, it's hard to match the personality of Soumitra and Sabyasachi as Feluda, but Tota RC has done a commendable job in this one which i can't say for Chinnomostar Obhishap. And this series was very straightforward which is something Srijit has never done before. As a Feluda fanatic, i would say a job well done. Could have been better? Maybe.

It's been almost two years since I laid my eyes on a Feluda feature. Earlier it was with Chinnomostar Ovisaap, which by the way I adored despite others criticizing it heavily although this time around, I'm not that convinced, let's just say, I have had mixed reactions to it.

Whilst, I did cherish the chemistry in-between the three main protagonists (or Three Musketeers as Lalmohan Ganguly likes to call themselves); at the same time, I would have preferred if the writing was more productive.

It's a very simple story, a rudimentary narrative, so to speak; hence, and I'm sure all the people who will watch the show, amongst them, a vast majority will be Feluda fanatics and have already read the book. Therefore, at the end of the day, it all boils down to the execution (as we all are pretty much aware of the happenings) and how and in what way the director decides to adapt the original novel into a cinematic contour.

And I feel, that is precisely where Srijit Mukherjee has committed a few blunders. On one hand, he did manage to safeguard as well as maintain the conventional flavors of Feluda (by staying true to the source material) but on the other hand, he did miscalculate and took some erratic steps that just cannot be condoned.

Waited almost 2 years for Feluda, but it was a disappointment. Feluda, Jatayu and Topshe don't have the charm and somehow lack the chemistry. Overacting is at it's peak in all episodes. The cinematography wasn't even in a level and changed some plots without any good reason. Another film with Darjeeling background released last month, "The Eken" had much better cinematography and thriller. Overall, this series wasn't up to the mark.