Feluda Pherot

To tell the truth, i was a bit skeptical regarding this version of Feluda. Like many other 'Bangalis' I was disheartened time and again by the 'feluda attempts' done by the directors other than the great Ray. But Srijit shocked me this time. If someone had asked me how will you like to see your favorite most hero on silver screen, then that would be exactly like Srijit's one. 'am no film director. But since childhood i had my fare share of fantasies regarding this trio ( sometimes duo), how they will look, how they will walk, how they will talk etc. Satyajit Ray's illustrations guided me in this fantasy imagination. And boy! Srijit somehow has made this impossible quite possible. Some of the frames are straight from the book illustrations. Acting was good. Script good. Camera good. All the other things are good. But in case of background score, there is still chance of improvement. Sometimes it felt unnecessarily loud on ears.

Last and the most important thing, is the approch to the great Jatayu. Well, someone are finding Mr Anirban is not up to the expectations. But for me this is Srijit's masterstroke. He rebuilt the jatayu for us. He consciously avoided to make jatayu act like his predecessors. He consciously avoided to make his jatayu to be compared with Mr. Santosh Dutta's legacy. And that, made the film so fun to watch.

Thank you Srijit. Thank you.

Feluda is finally back. I'm very happy. Thanks to Srijit Mukharjee. Tota Roychoudhary is quite good in the lead role, but he have to do more work on it.. He have to be more energetic. Other actors are too good.

Now waiting for next season....

Subscribed to Adda-Times only for this show, and I arrived with a lot of expectations after seeing the trailer. Overall the show is really good and definitely worth watching multiple times. Few further observations are below:

a. The casting is spot on for all the major roles. For anyone who has read the book, all the characters seem like they have come alive from the pages. Especially the trio. However, i felt the role was Nilima Debi was somewhat weak and the expressions were not always spot on. The character always seemed too intense. There was no variety in her character.

b. The cinematography was very good and exceptional by Bengali movie standards. Srijit retains his ability to make a visually pleasing experience. Even the costumes and the locations did enough justice and it truly felt that the movie was shot 50 years in the past. For a regional web series I do not expect an ounce better.

c. The background score is very good. Unlike most people, I loved the background score in the trailer and I loved it here. Varying from the original score by Ray gave this series some well deserved freshness and also the music was apt for a mystery thriller.

d. Anirban has played my second favourite Jatayu now. I have had the pleasure of seeing all actors who have brought Jatayu to life in television, or the cinema or in the internet (through web series). And while Anirban is miles away from Santosh Datta, he is quite well ahead of the rest. He does not act like a clown. He is not a punchline for all jokes. In this iteration, he comes across as a simple and honest bengali babu. He has character, and his character is believable and enjoyable.

e. Tota was spot on as Feluda. In few instances he seemed like a little too stuck up, but I think that was the direction. He may be a bit more enjoyable if he is shown as a little bit fallible as was the case with Soumitra. After Soumitra, all Feluda's are too perfect. Fallibility will increase the humanity in the character. (Yes I know, this Feluda is more honest to the one described in the books. That is why I deferred to Soumitra's iteration)

f. Kalpan was an adequate Topshe at best. He needs a bit more enunciation. His interpretation of Topshe feels like the Topshe as was written in the initial stories. He could have been a little more assertive. (Definitely NOT like Parambrata as Topshe - he was unbearable). However, definitely enjoyable.

g. I loves how Srijit put some layers on the supporting characters. The way he weaved the characters and their actions increased the overall suspense. It was refreshing.

h. My only gripe is that he spoiled the character of Din Dayal to allow an easier redemption of Mahesh Babu. It to my mind, was unnecessary. The personality flaw of Mahesh Babu should not have been dampened.

i. In some places, Tota's dialogues were a little too long. Making it a little more succinct and pointed will make it more pleasing. I think the dialogue writer attempted to idiot-proof every pun and snide. The extra exposition took away the sharpness of the delivery.

I look forward to seeing the series again. And look forward to season 2.

Everything is good. Except music. While watching the series you will miss feluda theme music a lot. At least I do. If they can add original feluda theme music it will be great.

Tota is good. I liked his way of lighting the cigarette, reminds me of the iconic feluda Soumitra Chatterjee. Tota's personality matched Ray's creation. Srijit Mukherjee's "Feluda ferot" is better than most of Sandip Ray's feluda movies.