Khakee: The Bengal Chapter

An engaging narrative paired with outstanding performances from the lead cast! Jeet, Prosenjit, Saswata, and Parambrata truly demonstrated why they are in the industry for such a long time. The development of the relationship between Ritwik Bhowmik and Adil Khan throughout the series was particularly captivating, with both actors delivering exceptional performances across all seven episodes. However, the character of Chitrangada Singh could have benefited from further refinement. The screenplay and cinematography fell short, lacking the authentic Kolkata atmosphere. On a positive note, casting Bengali actors greatly enhanced the dialogue delivery, avoiding the poor Bengali accents and clichés often seen in recent Bollywood productions.

Khakee - The Bengal Chapter is a good watch, but it falls short in some areas. The story is engaging, and the acting is top-notch, especially Aadil Zafar Khan and Prosenjit Chatterjee, who shine in their roles. However, the ending is too predictable and overly dramatic, making it feel like a South Indian action movie where the hero, Jeet, is untouchable.

Talented actors like Saswata and Parambrata were underused, which is disappointing. The setting of 2002 Kolkata didn't feel authentic, with editing mistakes like a hoarding of Mamata Banerjee, who wasn't CM back then. Compared to the Bihar Chapter, this one lacks realism and strong storytelling.

Despite its flaws, the show is entertaining. It's worth a watch. I'd rate it 7/10.

The new Web Series Khakee The Bengal Chapter was the much awaited one after Khakee the Bihar Chapter from the same Production House. At the outset this should be admitted that Khakee the Bihar Chapter is much better one than the new one. The reasons are obvious- the crime-politics cocktail is simply matchless if the context is Bihar. Another one is: Ashutosh Rana, Karan Tacker, Avinash Tiwari made it more impressive.

However, Khakee the Bengal Chapter has not disappointed. But the plot lacks consistency at certain points. Instead of dramatizing the Crime scenes, there is repetition. Instead of using metaphors, the Web Series repeatedly shows slaughtering of people. But the theme explores the tricky narrative that keeps the viewers hooked till the end.

The multi starrer Web Series has several big names. But their performance is rather stereotypical. In the negative role Prasenjit is not a good choice. Prambrata leaves early. Jeet is also stereotypical.

But it is Adil Khan. He is matchless. Adil has made a great screen presence in this Web Series and he makes the action moving around. His performance when he kills his friend reminds Aditya Puncholi. Really great. Must watch one.

"Khakee: The Bengal Chapter" masterfully brings to light the murky underbelly of West Bengal's political past, particularly the unchecked rise of crime syndicates under the shadow of the ruling CPI(M). The portrayal of Subhash Chakraborty, a once-powerful leader with deep ties to the underworld, exposes the dark reality behind the so-called "people's government."

The show doesn't hold back in depicting how political patronage fueled syndicate culture, corruption, and intimidation, all under the guise of leftist ideals. It is an eye-opener to how the CPI(M)'s flawed ideology, despite its promises of equality, led to lawlessness and exploitation. The iron grip of party-backed trade unions crushed industries, while leaders like Chakraborty allegedly operated with impunity, even daring to challenge the Chief Minister himself.

Prosenjit Chatterjee delivers a powerhouse performance, embodying the manipulative and fearless nature of political bosses from that era. His presence dominates the screen, making the audience both admire and despise the character he plays.

More than just a historical retelling, this show serves as a crucial reminder to the general public-unchecked political power, no matter the ideology, breeds corruption and chaos. It is a lesson to be vigilant, question those in power, and not let history repeat itself. If anything, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter highlights why citizens must remain aware and responsible in a democracy.

Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, directed by Debatma Mondal, boasts an ensemble cast featuring Tollywood superstars Prasenjit Chatterjee and Jeet, along with acting stalwart Saswata Chatterjee, Ritwick Bhowmik, Adil Khan, Chitrangada Singh, Mimoh, and ace actor Subhashis Mukhopadhyay, among many other familiar character actors. The series starts off slowly, drawing the audience in with its compelling narrative, and maintains an engaging pace until the penultimate episode. However, the final episode and climax feel rushed, detracting from the buildup.

Adil Khan and Prasenjit Chatterjee deliver exceptional performances, elevating the overall impact of the show. On the other hand, Jeet's character, a regular cop, feels underwhelming, offering little more than a standard role. Saswata Chatterjee's portrayal of Bagha is well-written and has strong potential, but disappointingly, his character is sidelined after the first episode. Parambrata's cameo, unfortunately, goes to waste, lacking any meaningful contribution to the plot.

Sagor Talukdar and Ranjit Thakur's characters emerge as the saving grace, bringing some much-needed depth to the series. While the show attempts to explore the darker side of the Left rule through fictional elements, it conspicuously avoids directly addressing the current ruling party, which is embroiled in multiple scandals and controversies. Hopefully, Khakee: The Bengal Chapter

season 2 will take a more daring approach, offering a more candid portrayal of the current political climate, filled with scams, scandals, and political violence.