Dhumketu

Title: A Haunting Return: A Review of Kaushik Ganguly's 'Dhumketu' Kaushik Ganguly's much-anticipated film, 'Dhumketu,' finally graces the silver screen, and it proves to be a rewarding and emotionally resonant cinematic experience. A decade in the making, the film, starring Dev and Subhashree Ganguly, transcends the long delay to deliver a compelling narrative anchored by nuanced performances and a captivating atmosphere. 'Dhumketu' is a far cry from a typical commercial potboiler; it's a slow-burn emotional thriller that delves into themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the haunting echo of the past.

At the heart of the film is Dev's career-defining performance as Bhanu Singha. Once a man who fled his past, he returns as a ghost of his former self, burdened with a mission and a profound need for redemption. This isn't the action hero audiences have come to expect; it's a vulnerable, complex portrayal that showcases Dev's evolution as an actor. His performance, especially in the later stages with the use of subtle prosthetics and body language, is a testament to his dedication. While the physical transformation is commendable, it's the emotional depth he brings to Bhanu that truly resonates.

The film's success is also largely due to its strong ensemble cast. Rudranil Ghosh delivers one of his finest performances as Jogesh, Bhanu's long-lost friend. The chemistry and easy camaraderie between Dev and Ghosh are a highlight of the film, providing moments of warmth and levity that serve as a crucial emotional anchor. Subhashree Ganguly, in her role as Rupa, is a serene and understated presence. Her performance is poised and effective, capturing the essence of a woman whose dreams have remained just out of reach. While Parambrata Chattopadhyay's role is brief, he makes a significant impact, demonstrating a powerful screen presence in a pre-climax scene with Dev where dialogue is minimal but the tension is palpable.

Kaushik Ganguly's masterful direction and storytelling are evident throughout. He weaves a complex tapestry of past and present, using a non-linear narrative to slowly unravel Bhanu's story. The screenplay, though at times uneven, is held together by its focus on human relationships and the emotional weight of the characters' decisions. The film is visually stunning, with cinematographer Soumik Haldar capturing the moody, picturesque landscapes of the mountains with a quiet poetry that enhances the introspective tone of the film.

While the film is not without its flaws-some critics have noted that the background score by Indraadip Dasgupta can be a bit over-the-top at times-these are minor imperfections in an otherwise impressive work. The film's music, by Anupam Roy, is a notable strength, adding to the emotional beats of the story.

'Dhumketu' is a film that will linger in the minds of its audience. It is a must-watch for Dev's fans, who will witness a new side of his acting prowess. For those who appreciate character-driven narratives, evocative visuals, and a story that leaves a lasting emotional impression, 'Dhumketu' is a rewarding cinematic journey. It's a reminder that some stories, like a comet, may take a long time to appear, but when they do, they leave a brilliant and unforgettable trail.

As a fan of Dev, I went into this film with high expectations, especially after his claims that this was his best work yet. I watched it on the 15th, eager to see what he had delivered.

While the performances by Dev, Rudranil, and Subhashree are undoubtedly among their finest, the story itself is deeply flawed and problematic. The film dangerously justifies terrorism to some extent, which is completely unacceptable. Promoting such ideologies, even indirectly, is irresponsible.

What's worse is the portrayal of the protagonist as part of a suicide squad, glorifying his role-a message that should never be conveyed, especially to young audiences who look up to these stars. Equating the Indian freedom struggle with modern-day terrorism is not just inaccurate but also offensive.

I'm genuinely upset and disappointed by this film. I strongly advise against watching it, and frankly, it deserves to be banned in India for its dangerous messaging.

Dev and Rudranil nailed their acting. 2/3 of the movie is great and a bit slow but at the end idk what happened and why happened this to Bhanu, I didn't have any clue to justify the last scenes . At the end it claimed that, it's an incomplete story .

But the movie songs are soo beautiful 5/5🗿Arijit , Shreya and Anupam Roy as always nailed it.

The Acting was awesome every one Dev , Subhashree,Rudranil all are up to the mark. Specially Rudranil Ghosh on supporting role really remarkable. Dulal Lahiri as a dev's father awesome role. Parambrata as a side role ok.chiranjit very short apperance but good in his character. But mainly the story somehow miss the plot at the end. I think writer try a different type story but no describe of why dev choose to be a terrorist. What is there moto. Who is the main villen of this flim who killed devs brother and try to kill him.

The story makes no sense at all... Honestly, it hurt spending so much money to watch that movie. It's not a love story, not a patriotic story, not a terrorist story, not even a friendship story. It's just a complete mess of everything. The production company is simply exploiting the hype around Dev and Subhashree to keep the movie running. If things go on like this, my trust and eagerness to stand by Dev or even the Bengali film industry will be ruined.