Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!

"Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! Is a neo-noir crime thriller that successfully brings the iconic Bengali detective character created by the legendary author Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Directed by Dibakar Banerjee, the film has been praised for its engaging storyline, rich visual style, and meticulous attention to detail. The film immerses the audience in a world of intrigue, mystery, and moral ambiguity.

Set in the pre-Independence era of Calcutta, the film follows the titular character, Byomkesh Bakshy (portrayed by Sushant Singh Rajput), an astute and observant private detective. The story kicks off when a young man named Bhuvan (Ankit Bisht) seeks Byomkesh's help to find his missing father, a wealthy and influential figure. As Byomkesh delves deeper into the mystery, he uncovers a tangled web of deceit, betrayal, and murder. The narrative is woven with subplots involving political intrigue and lingering enmities, making it more than just a typical whodunit.

Dibakar Banerjee has a distinctive directorial style that shines through the film. Director paints a vivid picture of 1940s Calcutta, a city grappling with the shadows of war and the rise of criminal underworld. The film's atmosphere is dark, gritty, and atmospheric, capturing the essence of the era.

Sushant Singh Rajput delivers a standout performance, embodying Byomkesh's intellect, charm, and tenacious attitude. His portrayal is complemented by a talented supporting cast, including Anand Tiwari as Dr. Watson-like character, and Swastika Mukherjee, who brings depth to her role as a pivotal character in the plot.

The film's narrative is intricate, weaving together multiple storylines involving opium smuggling, political intrigue, and personal vendettas. While the plot might seem convoluted at times, it keeps the audience engaged with its twists and turns.

The screenplay is cleverly crafted, filled with twists and misdirection that keep audiences guessing. The plot unfolds methodically, presenting clues that allow viewers to engage in the investigation alongside Byomkesh, making the reveal all the more satisfying.

The music, by the talented duo of Vishal-Shekhar, adds to the overall mood of the film, seamlessly blending with the storytelling while heightening suspense and dramatic moments. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the essence of Calcutta's grandeur and decay.

While the film remains faithful to the spirit of the original Byomkesh stories, it also offers a contemporary interpretation of the character. Byomkesh in this film is not just a brilliant detective but also a young man grappling with personal demons.

Despite its many strengths, "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" may not appeal to all audiences. Some viewers might find the pacing uneven, especially during the film's first half, which lays the groundwork for the complex plot and some subplots might have been explored in more depth. Additionally, those unfamiliar with the original character and stories might find some cultural nuances or references challenging to grasp without prior knowledge.

"Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" is a remarkable tribute to the classic detective genre. It stands out as a well-executed film that merges intriguing storytelling with atmospheric visuals, appealing to both fans of the detective genre and newcomers alike. Dibakar Banerjee's adaptation honors the legacy of Byomkesh while bringing a fresh perspective to its timeless appeal. For anyone who enjoys a clever mystery filled with rich historical context, this film is definitely worth watching.

Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! is based on the popular sleuth character created by the Bengali writer Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" stars Sushant Singh Rajput, Neeraj Kabi, Anand Tiwari, Swastika Mukherjee, Meiyang Chang, and Divya Menon in major roles. The movie is set in 1942-43 Calcutta (now Kolkata) with the carefully chosen World War II backdrop in an attempt to resonate the ever bustling tempo of the city of joy with the chaos and hysteria of war. But, did the attempt succeed? Well, we will certainly try to find an answer to this and many other pertinent questions during the course of this article. But, before we do that, let's first focus on the plot details and various other filmmaking aspects.

The title "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" in itself gives a lot away without leaving much to the imagination—irrespective of whether one is already acquainted with Byomkesh Bakshi or not. There's no denying that Byomkesh Bakshi is a cult figure but it's nowhere as famous as say a Sherlock Holmes or a James Bond. Hence the smartly chosen title "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" and not just "Byomkesh Bakshy!" or "Byomkesh!"! The problem with nondescript titles based on relatively lesser known fictional characters is that they defy reasonable marketing strategies to attract the mass audiences. By why change Bakshi to Bakshy? And why use an exclamation mark with the name? Well, according to Dibankar Banerjee, these playful little adjustments have been made to make it more adventurous than generic. Clearly, Banerjee doesn't merely seem interested in adapting the stories of Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. He has his eyes set on a bigger and a more challenging goal: to transform pulp into cinema while adding his own creative touches in the process and simultaneously ensuring that the spirit of the source material remains intact.

"Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" is targeted towards a new audience and is bound to disappoint the purists (they can still find solace in the 1993 Television series telecasted on Doordarshan). However, Byomkesh Bakshi enthusiasts can still enjoy the film if they choose to approach it with an open mind. Banerjee seems to have a penchant for making dark films like "Shanghai" and "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!". Made in the tradition of Hollywood whodunits, "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" is a richly textured detective story with a multilayered narrative. And while Dibankar may refuse to acknowledge it, the film noir influence just cannot be overlooked and is not limited to the presence of femme fatales and private eyes.

It's never a cinch to recreate a certain epoch in history and the fact that Banerjee and team meticulously reconstructed the 1940s Calcutta not only speak volumes about their commitment but actually help orchestrate an enchanting mise-en-scène that adds great detail to a sprawling period piece like "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" Add to this a thick plot, actors who can act with conviction, some brilliantly crafted dialogue, thrash metal music, Leone's signature camera movements, Welles' characteristic use of shadows and silhouettes, and shades of Tarantino-esque violence. Voila! We have crafted a palpable atmosphere that will hold the viewer in a vice- like grip until the end credits began to roll.

Banerjee's film is not original by any stretch of imagination, for he has borrowed ideas from various other filmmakers. But, there is no shame in borrowing ideas as long as one can concoct them into something unique. One of the greatest merits of the film is that it brilliantly serves the purpose of a suspense thriller. Some viewers may complain that the film is a bit predictable at times but the truth is that it keeps the viewer guessing throughout—the whole truth and the real motives of the various characters aren't revealed until the very end. There is a subtle difference between suspense and mystery and "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" for the most part falls in the former category (yes, there is mystery but the suspense element is stronger). So, there's no denying that Banerjee and team do succeed in their endeavor!

Overall, "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" can best be described as a marriage of commercial and experimental filmmaking. It is entertainment galore but not at the expense of creative freedom. In the context of contemporary Hindi cinema, "Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!" is nothing short of a monumental achievement. And those who think that Hindi cinema is not good enough to make great suspense thrillers anymore (Of course, the great Vijay Anand was the pioneer of the genre in Hindi cinema) certainly need to watch this film. Dibakar Banerjee needs to be congratulated for eliciting worthy performances from his entire cast of actors. Sushant Singh Rajput seems to have finally got the big break that he has been waiting for. Again his portrayal of Bandyopadhyay's sleuth may not satisfy the purists but nonetheless he manages to make his mark. Amidst a series of memorable performances, it's Neeraj Kabi's portrayal of Dr. Guha that stands first among equals. Another performance that deserves a special mention is that Swastika Mukherjee as Anguri Devi. The movie has some pacing issues and it occasionally tries to purposefully misdirect the viewer but despite the flaws it proves to be quite an enthralling experience. While the movie is bound to disappoint the hardcore Byomkesh Bakshi enthusiasts, it has all the elements to satisfy the masses and the classes alike. If the movie does well at the box office (and it most certainly will), a sequel may be just around the corner . Highly recommended!

(This review was first published in my film blog A Potpourri of Vestiges)

I loved this movie. Yesterday I watches Chhichore then Raabta and must say Sushant is a master class actor. There was a TV series of Byomkesh Bakshi years ago and I remember watching it. It was good to see Sushant did the complete justice to the character.

So watched one hell of a movie today!!…It is known as Detective Byomkesh Bakshy.. Dibakar-Sushant,kudos to you both ..U guys have just nailed it.. Awesome,kick ass,chilling,edge of the seat mystery thriller.. Calcutta has never looked so damn gorgeous on screen ever before,brilliant cinematography. The film manages to keep you guessing with the next dialog spoken till the very end of the film,such is the narrative. You just can't afford to divert your mind for a moment or you will lose something significant. Background music specially in the 2nd half of the film is kick ass n supports the film very well. And what can I say about the villain,definitely one of the most menacing I have seen in years now.Now I know why this role was presented to aamir coz it definitely had the potential. I loved the climax too,it is a bit predictable but one you can relish for a long time. I have finished watching this film for about 5hrs now,but still I can't get over it coz this film stays with you. I am going with 4 stars. Definitely the best for me this year!! I will be highly anticipating its sequel whenever it will be announced. If you can focus your mind for 150min.,you will love this

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As far as box office aspects of DBB are concerned,I doubt it will be a success.The film demands probably too much from your side.People who go to watch mostly light hearted films will come out disappointed.I watched the film in the morning show with only 7 people in the entire theatre!!!

The screenplay is out of the box some movements appreciate for Dibakar Banerjee,production design background score is amezing sometimes directing skils in banerjee we all knows he is outstanding overall. So must watch if you really Love detective spy movies.